Abstract: A system and method to measure properties of a liquid, comprising: a colorimetric sensor comprising a photonic structure that displays a first signature upon exposure to a sample liquid that wets at least some of the interior surfaces of the porous photonic structure and displays a signature different from the first signature as the sample liquid evaporates. The system further includes a device to capture changes in the color of the colorimetric sensor; a memory to store data generated by the device; and a processing unit to analyze the data captured by the device. The processing unit compares the data captured by the device with a reference data, wherein the reference data comprises information regarding a time-dependent response of the colorimetric sensor upon exposure to and removal of a first set of predetermined liquids and to output information regarding the sample liquid.