Prickly Pear Aqua Fresca

Today I am coming with a delicious and refreshing Prickly Pear Aqua Fresca. Prickly pear is a seasonal fruit, so you need to grab it during the season (summer months).

I am greatly confident that if you try this nature treat, you are going to love it. Prickly Pear Aqua Fresca is a traditional thirst quencher you can find in Mexican cuisine.

Prickly pears

The fruit of the cactus is a fleshy berry, ovoid or spherical. It measures four to twelve centimeters in length, although it is sometimes longer.

Sometime the color of out covering and the pulp have different colors that do not always coincide, that is we can find prickly pears with the peel and pulp of different colors.

These combinations vary in different species. Color of Prickly pears(tunas) varies from light green, greenish white, lemon yellow, orange, red, purple, and cherry tones. 

There are lot of seeds in this fruit compared to single seeded fruit like peach, mango etc. They are shaped like flattened lentils. Its pulp is juicy with a large amount of sugars.

Prickly pears are rich in  calcium ; it also has potassium and phosphorus.

Other vitamins and minerals that the prickly pear contains are protein, carbohydrates, ash, calcium, phosphorus, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and ascorbic acid.

Here are few prickly pear recipes you can try

What is difference between Aqua fresca and fruit-based Lemonade?   

Agua fresca is a light fruit drink popular throughout Mexico. It is simply made by blending fruit with water, a bit of sugar and a little lime juice.

However, fruit-based lemonade contains fruit juice, water and sugar and lemon juice.

However, amount of sugar in lemonade will be more than the aqua fresca. Sometimes simple syrup is used.

Agua frescas ( In Spanish  “cool waters”, or literally “fresh waters”) are light non-alcoholic beverages made from one or more fruits, cereals, flowers, or seeds blended with sugar and water. They are popular in Mexico, Central America, and parts of the United States such as the Southwest.

Agua Fresca can be served immediately over ice or can be chilled in the refrigerator up to 72 hours.

If you are making it ahead, then make sure to give it a good stir or shake before serving as sometimes there will be separation.

If you like aqua fresca here is few other recipes of aqua fresca you can try at home.

Strawberry rose aqua fresca

Hibiscus aqua fresca

Mango aqua fresca

Watermelon Habanero aqua fresca

How to make Prickly Pear Aqua Fresca?

For making Prickly pear aqua fresca, first make a cut in fruit and carefully remove the skin with spines, you can add them in high speed blender along with 1 cup water and process it 1-3 times, then strain the seeds and spines out.

Then mix in with more water and sweetener of your choice. I used Nectivia you can use honey or agave, or maple syrup will be fine. If you want to make it traditional add little bit lime juice may be 1 teaspoon enjoy with more ice cubes.

If you tried this recipe please tag me @nidhinikhil on Instagram or Zestysouthindiankitchen in facebook

Print Recipe

5 from 3 votes

Prickly Pear Aqua Fresca

Prickly pearaqua fresca is naturally colorful with burst flavors and excellent thirstquencher on it own with touch of lime.

Prep Time5 mins

Total Time5 mins

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: aqua fresca, Prickly pear aqua fresca

Servings: 2 servings

Calories: 16kcal

Author: Swathi (Ambujom Saraswathy)

Ingredients

• 2 Prickly pear fruit
• 3 cup water
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• 1 teaspoon Nectevia Stevia Infused Agave Nectar*
• If you want you can add agave nectar or maple syrup or honey

Instructions

• First make a cut in Prickly pear fruit and carefully remove the skin with spines, you can add them in high speed blender along with 1 cup water and process it 1-3 times, then strain the seeds and spines out.
• In a large mixing bowl add rest of water, lime juice, nectevia or any sweetener you want use. Mix well
• Enjoy with some ice cubes
• You had an ultimate refreshing aqua fresca ready to sip.

Video

Notes

*If you want you can add agave nectar or maple syrup or honey

Nutrition

Calories: 16kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 18mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 11mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @nidhinikhil or tag #zestysouthindiankitchenrecipes!

Swathi

This is Swathi ( Dr. Ambujom Saraswathy Ph.D) from Zesty South Indian Kitchen who loves to explore cuisines from all over the world. Whenever possible I try to to give an Indian touch to several of the world cuisine, and has weakness for freshly baked bread.  All the recipes you see here are created by me and approved after taste-test by my family.