If you’re into making drinks at home that look like they cost $14 and came from a bougie wellness café, you’re gonna love this recipe. 

This Adaptogenic Aura Tonic is my go-to whenever I feel like I need something not only medicinal, but magical. It’s icy. It’s fizzy. And best yet, it’s naturally electric-blue (thanks to butterfly pea flowers). It also morphs into this gorgeous purple with just a squeeze of lemon. Like a mood ring in a glass!

And it’s not just cute. It’s a great chill-out elixir because it contains ashwagandha to help you stress less, lemon balm to soothe your nervous system, and a little raw honey to keep things sweet.

Why This Recipe Works:

• Visually stunning: The magical moment when it color-shifts with lemon juice makes you feel like some kind of powerful kitchen witch. 

• Easy to customize: Add some crisp with sparkling water, or go with coconut water for something smoother.

• Adaptogens: Ashwagandha helps take the edge off and helps your body respond to stress of all kinds.

• Naturally caffeine-free: You can drink it any time! Morning, night, or post-breakdown. Totally your call.

• Sneaky hydration: This is actually a better wellness drink than most of the canned stuff out there, and great way to stay hydrated.

Let’s Talk Health Benefits

• Butterfly Pea Flowers: These are rich in anthocyanins (antioxidants with a fancy name) that support skin health and reduce inflammation. Also, they’re gorgeous.

• Lemon Balm: It’s calming and uplifting, and traditionally used to reduce anxiety, boost mood, and help with sleep.

• Ashwagandha: One of the best known adaptogens. Ashwagandha helps regulate cortisol (the stress hormone), supports stamina, and is overall great for your brain.

• Raw Honey: It does so much more than sugar. It’s full of enzymes, antioxidants, and antibacterial goodness. Just don’t heat it too much or you’ll lose much of the good stuff. 

• Lemon Juice: It’s alkalizing, high in vitamin C, and it’s the secret to creating that dramatic color shift.

• Coconut Water or Sparkling Water: Choose your hydration adventure. Coconut water has some great electrolytes, while sparkling adds a little pizzazz.

Ingredients

For the tonic:

• 2 cups hot water

• 1 tbsp dried butterfly pea flowers (or 1 tea bag)

• 6–8 fresh lemon balm leaves, torn

• 1 tsp ashwagandha powder

• 2–4 tsp raw honey (to taste)

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 1 cup sparkling water or coconut water

• Ice cubes (optional)

For the garnish:

• Edible flowers or fresh mint (or whatever makes your glass feel fancy)

Substitutions

• No butterfly pea flowers? Hibiscus will also give you a color shift (just red to pink instead of blue to purple). Not as moody, but still pretty.

• Can’t find lemon balm? Mint or fresh basil work great in a pinch. They have a slightly different vibe, but the same refreshing herbal note.

• No raw honey? Maple syrup or agave works well too.

• Ashwagandha-free zone? You can skip it, but then it’s just a pretty herbal drink. (Still tasty though!)

• No lemon? Lime juice is a good substitute and will also trigger a color change, just slightly different in hue.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. In a teapot or large mug, steep butterfly pea flowers and lemon balm leaves in hot water for 5–7 minutes. Strain.
2. While the infusion is still warm, stir in ashwagandha powder and honey until dissolved. Let cool.
3. Fill two clear glasses with ice, divide the cooled tonic evenly.
4. Slowly add lemon juice to each glass and watch the color transform.
5. Top with sparkling water or coconut water. Stir gently and garnish with edible flowers or mint.

Tips for Making It Better

• Let it cool before adding the ice. Unless you’re into lukewarm watered-down drinks, and let’s be real, nobody wants that.

• Stir the ashwagandha well. It’s a powder and it can get clumpy.

• Use clear glasses. This is a drink you definitely want to show off.

• Batch it! Make a double or triple batch and keep it chilled in the fridge. It will last 2–3 days, and the color may shift over time, but it still makes for a great way to keep your guests hydrated.

FAQ

Q: Can I drink this every day?
A: You can, but with adaptogens like ashwagandha, it’s best to cycle (take breaks), like 5 days on, 2 days off.

Q: What if I don’t have time to steep stuff?
A: Use a butterfly pea flower tea bag and feel free to skip the lemon balm, if need be.

Q: Can I make this warm instead of iced?
A: Absolutely. Just skip the ice and the sparkling water, and it’ll become a calming warm tonic that’s especially great for bedtime. 

Q: Does it actually do anything?
A: Let’s be honest. No drink is a cure-all. But with consistent use, these ingredients can support your mood, stress levels, and hydration. 

Did You Make This Drink Your Own?

If so, we want to hear about it! Share with us what you added or what you removed, so the whole Steamy fam can all benefit from your tips and tricks!

Adaptogenic Blue Tonic Recipe for Stress, Sleep & Focus

A refreshing, color-changing tonic made with butterfly pea flowers, calming lemon balm, and adaptogenic ashwagandha.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Cooling Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings 2 people

Calories 43 kcal

Ingredients

  

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For the Drink

• 2 cups hot water
• 1 tbsp dried butterfly pea flower or 1 tea bag
• 6 - 8 lemon balm leaves fresh and torn
• 1 tsp ashwagandha powder
• 2 - 4 tsp raw honey to taste
• 1 lemon juiced
• 1 cup sparkling water or coconut water
• ice cubes

For Garnish

• 1 sprig fresh mint

Instructions

 

• In a teapot or large mug, steep butterfly pea flowers and lemon balm leaves in hot water for 5–7 minutes. Strain.
• While the infusion is still warm, stir in ashwagandha powder and honey until dissolved. Let cool.
• Fill two clear glasses with ice, divide the cooled tonic evenly.
• Slowly add lemon juice to each glass and watch the color transform.
• Top with sparkling water or coconut water. Stir gently and garnish with edible flowers or mint.

Nutrition

Calories: 43kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 1gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 39mgPotassium: 114mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 161IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 1mg

Keyword adaptogenic, antioxidants, drink

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!