My daughter asked me to make her “the pink and blue drink from the fish movie” and honestly, I had no idea what she meant.
Turns out she’d been watching Ponyo on repeat for two weeks straight.
So I did what any slightly obsessive food blogger mom does. I made it my mission to create a drink that actually looks like it swam straight out of that movie.
Three test batches later, I landed on something that’s part science experiment, part dessert, and 100% Instagram bait.
It’s got a deep ocean blue bottom that fades into a sunset pink top, and it tastes like a tropical vacation you didn’t book.
Let’s make it. 🌊
What You’ll Need
This drink comes together in two layers, so I’m breaking the ingredients up that way to keep things easy.
For the blue ocean layer:
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp sugar (or honey)
- 1 tbsp butterfly pea flower tea (or ¼ tsp blue food coloring)
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Ice cubes
For the pink sunset layer:
- 1 cup orange juice
- ¼ cup strawberry puree (fresh or frozen strawberries blended smooth)
- 1 tbsp grenadine
- Splash of lemon-lime soda or sparkling water
For garnish:
- Gummy fish candies
- A thin orange or lemon wheel
- Edible gold shimmer (totally optional, but so fun)
Tools You’ll Need
- 2 tall glasses
- A small saucepan
- A fine mesh strainer
- A long spoon or cocktail stirrer
- A blender (for the strawberry puree)
Pro Tips
I learned a few things the hard way so you don’t have to.
- Brew your butterfly pea tea strong. A weak brew gives you a washed-out gray-blue instead of that gorgeous ocean color.
- Pour slow. The layering trick only works if you pour the second layer over the back of a spoon, not straight into the glass. Trust me on this one.
- Chill both layers separately before assembling. If either liquid is warm, they’ll mix together instead of staying in their own layers.
- Use a straw and give it one gentle stir before drinking, unless you want to sip the layers separately like a little kid discovering flavors one at a time (also fun, honestly).
- Don’t skip the lemon juice in the blue layer. It brightens the whole thing and keeps it from tasting flat.
How to Make the Ponyo Drink
Step 1: Make the blue layer
Heat the water in a small saucepan until warm but not boiling.
Stir in the sugar and butterfly pea tea. Let it steep for 5 minutes.
Strain out the tea leaves, then stir in the lemon juice.
Pop it in the fridge to chill completely, at least 20 minutes.
Step 2: Make the pink layer
Blend the strawberries until smooth.
In a glass, mix the orange juice, strawberry puree, and grenadine together.
Chill this too. Cold ingredients are non-negotiable here.
Step 3: Layer it up
Fill your glass with ice, all the way to the top.
Slowly pour the blue mixture over the ice until the glass is half full.
Now here’s the fun part. Hold a spoon upside down right above the blue layer, and slowly pour the pink mixture over the back of the spoon.
It’ll settle right on top instead of mixing in.
Top with a splash of lemon-lime soda for a little fizz.
Step 4: Garnish and serve
Drop in a gummy fish or two, right at the surface where the colors meet.
Add your orange wheel to the rim, dust with a little edible shimmer if you’re feeling extra, and serve immediately.
Substitutions and Variations
| Original Ingredient | Swap Option | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Butterfly pea tea | Blue food coloring | Faster, but less natural |
| Grenadine | Cherry juice | Slightly less sweet, still gorgeous |
| Orange juice | Pineapple juice | Gives it a tropical twist |
| Strawberry puree | Raspberry puree | Deeper pink, a bit more tart |
| Lemon-lime soda | Ginger ale | Adds a little spice to the fizz |
| Non-alcoholic | Add 1 oz white rum to the pink layer | For the grown-ups only |
Make Ahead Tips
You can make both layers up to 2 days ahead and store them separately in sealed jars in the fridge.
Do not assemble ahead of time. The layers need to be built fresh, right before serving, or they’ll blend into one muddy purple color.
Meal Pairings
This drink is sweet and fruity, so it plays really well with:
- Crispy coconut shrimp
- Fish tacos with a squeeze of lime
- A simple charcuterie board with fresh fruit
- Popcorn shrimp for a fun beach-night dinner
Storage and Leftovers
Honestly, this one’s best enjoyed fresh. The layers separate and the fizz fades fast.
If you do have leftover blue or pink mixture, store it separately in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Skip freezing. The texture gets weird once it thaws.
Nutritional Breakdown (Estimated)
These numbers are estimates, not lab-tested, so treat them as a general guide rather than gospel.
| Nutrient | Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~180 |
| Sugar | 32g |
| Carbs | 42g |
| Fat | 0g |
| Vitamin C | 45% DV |
FAQ
Can I make this without butterfly pea tea?
Yes. A few drops of blue gel food coloring will get you a similar look, just without the natural color-shifting magic.
Why did my layers mix together?
This almost always comes down to temperature or pouring speed. Both layers need to be cold, and you need to pour slowly over a spoon.
Is this drink alcoholic?
Nope, it’s completely kid-friendly as written. Add rum or vodka to the pink layer if you want an adult version.
Can I make a big batch for a party?
Absolutely. Just multiply the recipe and layer individual glasses right before your guests arrive.
What does it taste like?
Bright, citrusy, and a little floral from the butterfly pea tea, with a sweet strawberry-orange finish on top.
Can kids drink this?
Yes, this is basically designed for them. Mine asked for it three days in a row.
Wrapping Up
This drink turned into one of those recipes that started as a silly parenting win and ended up becoming a genuine favorite in our house.
It’s the kind of thing that makes people stop and ask what’s in your glass, and then it becomes even more fun when you tell them.
Give it a try this week, and let me know in the comments how your layers turned out. I’d love to hear if you tried any of the swaps too.
AI Image Generator Prompt:
Create a top-down flat lay image (16:9) on a white marble counter with subtle gold veining, natural window lighting, shot in the style of an iPhone 15 Pro food blogger photo. Show all ingredients for a layered ocean-themed drink arranged neatly: a small glass jar of blue butterfly pea flower tea liquid, a small bowl of fresh strawberry puree, a small pitcher of orange juice, a bottle of grenadine syrup, a small glass bowl of gummy fish candies, a thin sliced orange wheel, a small jar of edible gold shimmer dust, a few whole lemons, ice cubes in a small bowl, a tall clear glass, a long cocktail spoon, and a small blender jar. Soft natural light, minimal styling, no text or watermarks.
