Azure Hour

01

What you’ll need

• 1 teaspoon pure loose-leaf white tea
• 2/3 cup water heated to 80°C (175°F)
• 1 fresh makrut lime leaf, torn once
• 3/4 cup fresh pineapple juice, finely strained (pressed from about 300 g ripe pineapple)
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon light agave nectar
• 1/8 teaspoon food-grade blue spirulina powder
• 1/16 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1/2 cup chilled unflavoured sparkling water
• Ice cubes, for stirring only
• 2 narrow lime-peel spirals, for garnish
• 2 small fresh pineapple triangles, for garnish

02

Mix the drink

1. Place the white tea and torn makrut lime leaf in a heatproof cup. Add the 80°C water, steep for exactly 4 minutes, then strain without pressing the leaves. Cool for 10 minutes and refrigerate for 20 minutes, or until thoroughly cold.
2. Put 1 tablespoon of the chilled tea in a small bowl. Add the blue spirulina and whisk into a completely smooth, vivid-blue paste so no specks remain.
3. Combine the remaining chilled tea, fresh strained pineapple juice, lime juice, agave nectar, salt and spirulina paste in a mixing glass. Stir until the agave is fully dissolved and the colour is even.
4. Fill the mixing glass three-quarters full with ice. Stir briskly for 25 seconds to chill and lightly dilute the drink without clouding it with excess aeration.
5. Fine-strain the mixture into a chilled small pitcher. Add the cold sparkling water and turn once gently with a bar spoon to combine while preserving the fine bubbles.
6. Taste immediately. If the pineapple is exceptionally tart, stir in up to 1 additional teaspoon agave, then serve without delay.