Prickly Pear Lemonade

Published: Jul 16, 2019 · Modified: Mar 24, 2021 ·by Swathi.This post may contain affiliate links ·

Prickly Pear Lemonade is a colorful sweet, tart, and refreshing twist on a classic, great for cool down during warm day.

This is one of the fruits I was trying to find for some time now. Finally, in my local HEB I found some ripe prickly pear fruits and immediately decide to buy some and made this Prickly Pear Lemonade.

What is Prickly Pear?

Prickly pear is deliciously sweet fruit of the nopal cactus and grows in wild throughout the deserts of the American Southwest, as well as in Mexico. It is mainly used as natural fencing for livestock because of its daunting, spine-covered branches. Prickly pears are a subgroup of Opuntia, identified by their wide, flat, branching pads, and are often called nopal cactus or paddle cactus.

Known as “tuna” in Mexico, it grows at the tips of the cactus, where the fruit’s has pink flesh. There are over a dozen species of the edible prickly pear cactus species in North America; they particularly are the drink menus of American Southwest. The ingredient is commonly found in beverages because of its burst of color and tropical flair.

Traditionally eaten fresh or its juice sipped as a hangover cure, prickly pear fruit is growing in popularity due to its extraordinary pink color, natural sweetness and antioxidant properties.

Did you know the prickly pear cactus was designated the official plant symbol of Texas in 1995. All State Plants

It is harvested during later summer months. When the juicy red fruits are ripe the glochids fall off (usually around September) and should be twisted from the pad to remove, not pulled.

In Ayurveda, prickly pear is called Nagfani and is known to have medicinal properties. Fruit juice is used as hematinic; fruits, flowers and stem are used as antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory, fruits are used as antihyperglycemic which are also analyzed on experimental models as remedy in different aliments like anemia, asthma etc. by tribal people as well as local people in certain parts of India.

My friend Marisa told me that in Spain also they use prickly pear which is called Higos Chumbos

How to cut the prickly pear?

First cut the both end of fruit, make sure to wear a glove so that you won’t get small spines into your hand. Then cut them into half and scoop out the pink flesh with spoon.

Once you removed the pink flesh from prickly pear, add some water and blend it in blender or food processor for 30 sec-1 min, then strain the seeds out. Your prickly pear puree is ready.

How to use prickly pear fruit?

You can make beverages or drinks with prickly pear puree, or you can make jam and jellies. I haven’t tried making jam with prickly pear fruits. May be some time I will try. If you want you can make Prickly Pear Hibiscus Fresca made with water, prickly pear purée, lime juice and hibiscus juice.

Health benefits of Prickly Pear?

Prickly pears are known to treat for diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity and hangovers. It's also touted for its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. However not enough studies are there to confirm it as super fruit.

Nopales and prickly pear fruit are high in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They are a healthy addition to a balanced diet and may help decrease blood sugar when eaten with a balanced meal.

Tips to Remember

While cutting the fresh fruit make sure to wear a glove so that you won’t get small spines into your hand.
Also strain the fruit puree so that seeds can be removed.
Don’t eat too much of prickly pear fruits it tends to upset the stomach so use it in moderation or occasional.

I have made delicious and easy lemonade with prickly pear juice, fresh lemon juice and Nectevia, if you want you can use your favorite sweetener instead.

If you are looking for other cactus recipes, here you go.

Catcus Pineapple Orange Juice

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