Here’s an easy experiment for summer that doubles as a refreshing drink! Make colouring changing lemonade with your kids on a hot day and amaze and refresh them!

What is STEAM?
STEAM education–learning that uses science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics– is an integrative education model not only focused on the importance of the individual subjects, but also how they come together to provide a rounded education

Summer STEAM
This super easy summer science activity is perfect for kids of all ages. We did this while at the cottage this summer. The kids were playing outside in the lake and I knew they would be all coming in soon for snacks and water. So I decided that while they had snacks we could also prepare the first part of this experiment together so that we could enjoy the experiment at dinner!
I did the chopping of the red cabbage this time, but if we were at home and had access to our kid knives, I would have let them help out too. Instead them tore up some pieces with their hands. Once the cabbage water was ready they also helped pour it into the ice cube tray (which was super messy but fun). They, of course, were able to help out making the lemonade and the final and most crucial step – drinking the lemonade!
Does the Cabbage Effect the Taste of the Lemonade?
The first question that is probably coming to your mind is: does the lemonade taste like cabbage? Does the cabbage ice effect the taste of the lemonade? And the answer is no! There was no discernible cabbage taste in the lemonade and my toughest critic -my kids, loved it! If you would like another method of making color changing lemonade, without cabbage try using butterfly pea tea.
How to Make Colour Changing Lemonade
- Cut about a quarter of a red cabbage up into small pieces and place it in a large pot filled with water.

- Bring the pot to boil over the stove. Boil the cabbage for about 5-7 minutes or until the water is a deep purple.

- Discard the cabbage and set the liquid aside to cool.
- Once cool enough, pour it into an ice cube tray and put it into the freezer for at least 4 hours or until frozen.

- Make your lemonade (let’s be real mine was from concentrate, be freshly squeezed would be wonderful as well). If you are looking for a great fresh lemonade recipe, try this one here.

- Once the cabbage ice cubes are frozen, place one ice cube into a glass of lemonade and watch it change from yellow to pink!

- Once the lemonade is a deep pink colour you can remove the ice cube and either use it again for another glass or discard it.

Science Behind Color Changing Lemonade
Red cabbage contains a pigment called anthocyanin which has the ability to indicate whether something is an acid or a base. In a base it appears blue and in an acid it appears pink! The anthocyanin turns your yellow acidic lemonade pink.

Age Suitability of Colour Changing Lemonade
Mess Level
Difficulty to Create
Skills Developed in Colour Changing Lemonade
Supplies for Colour Changing Lemonade
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