Hot Pink Agua de Tuna (Prickly Pear Agua Fresca)

Agua de tuna is an agua fresca made by blending red prickly pear cactus fruit, water, and sugar. You can make it with red or green tunas, but the hot pink color can only be achieved with the red ones!

Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved prickly pears. In Mexico, they’re called “tunas,” not to be confused with tuna fish – that’s “atún” in Spanish. Prickly pears are often served peeled, in a cup or plastic bag, topped with chile salt and lime juice as a snack. There is a variety of cactus fruits that range in flavor, color, and size, but the ones I use are in the photos below. Feel free to use either green or red – the flavor is similar and both work well in this recipe.

WHAT IS AGUA DE TUNA?

Agua de tuna is a classic Mexican agua fresca that is probably better known in Mexico than in the U.S. or other parts of the world. I’ve taken cooking classes in Oaxaca where we literally just muddle peeled tuna prickly pear fruits and then mix them with water and sugar to make our agua fresca. I imagine that this process is similar to the one used by the Aztecs to make drinks back in the day. I’ve grown accustomed to blending my fruit in a blender, and for this recipe, all you need is some prickly pears, water, and your favorite sweetener.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

• Healthful alternative to juices and sodas: agua de tuna is rich in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, which can contribute to improved digestion and immune health.
• No artificial sweeteners: you can leave out the sweeteners altogether or use sugar, honey, agave, or homemade simple syrup made with pure cane sugar for this classic Mexican drink.
• Wow factor: the all-natural vibrant color wows just about anyone who sees this beautiful pink drink. I’ve never seen anything like it!
• Base for cocktails: Mix in your favorite alcohol and use it as the base for a prickly pear margarita. While you’re at it, check out some of my other Mexican cocktails.

WHAT IS AGUA FRESCA?

• Agua fresca literally translates to fresh, cold, or refreshing water, but literal translations do little to describe the true essence of these fruit-forward and fun drinks.
• Aguas frescas are non alcoholic beverages typically made by blending water and sugar with seasonal fruits and vegetables. Some are also made with dry ingredients such as rice, tamarind pods, and hibiscus, which are Mexican pantry staples. 
• According to the author and Mexican confections queen, Fany Gerson, aguas frescas have indigenous roots. “When Aztecs traveled from their farmlands to the markets in Tenochtitlan (what is now Mexico City), they would paddle through channels in the valley’s wetlands and mash some ripe fruit with water as a way to refresh themselves through the journey.”
• Nowadays, aguas frescas are available just about everywhere in Mexico, from street-side food stands and ice cream shops in rural towns, to high-end restaurants in large cities. They are fresh, diversified, and vibrant and are part of daily life and culture in Mexico. While wildly popular in Mexico, aguas frescas are still relatively unknown in the U.S.

WHAT IS PRICKLY PEAR FRUIT?

A tuna prickly pear is the fruit that grows on a type of cactus belonging to the Opuntia genus, known for its paddle-shaped stems covered in spines. Both its paddles and colorful oval fruits are edible. Once peeled, the fruits are perfect to make jams, candies, and cocktails. Mexican tuna fruit also makes the most refreshing agua de tuna (prickly pear drink!).

WHAT DOES TUNA FRUIT TASTE LIKE?

Its flavor is both refreshing and distinctive, reminiscent of a mix between a cucumber and a cantaloupe, with the texture akin to that of a dense watermelon. And guess what? Prickly pears are good for you!

PRICKLY PEAR HEALTH BENEFITS

Some of the health benefits of prickly pears include:

• Antioxidants: prickly pears are rich in antioxidants, such as betalains, which help protect cells from oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, and may lower the risk of chronic diseases.
• Immune support: tunas are a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, K, folate, and magnesium, which can support the immune system and bone health.
• Digestive health: the high fiber content in prickly pears can aid in digestion and promote regular bowel movements. It may also help control blood sugar levels, making them beneficial for people looking to manage their blood sugar levels.
• Anti-inflammatory effects: Some compounds in prickly pears may have anti-inflammatory properties, potentially reducing inflammation-related cancer risks.

WHERE TO BUY PRICKLY PEARS

The red and green varieties are fairly easy to find in the U.S. if you have a good Mexican or Asian grocery store nearby. They’re typically in season from the springtime through early fall, and are most abundant in the summer. In Mexico you can find them at local markets and street corners stands like the one in the photo below.

INGREDIENTS

• Prickly pear fruit: red or green variety are interchangeable in this recipe.
• Sweetener of choice: I like to use organic cane sugar, homemade simple syrup, agave, honey, or dates.
• Water: I start with about six cups for most of my aguas, but you can adjust this based on personal preference.

RECOMMENDED FOR THIS RECIPE

Vitamix Professional-Grade Blender

I have owned a Vitamix blender for nearly 25 years and it is well worth the investment, especially for making aguas frescas, smoothies, and jugo verde! VIEW PRODUCT

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE

1. Prepare ingredients

• Using gloves, tongs, or a produce bag, cut off each end of the fruit (invisible thorns known as glochids can be irritating!).
• Next, make a lengthwise slit along the skin of each fruit.

2. Peel prickly pears

• Remove the skin, the way you would peel a banana, to reveal the fleshy interior. Compost or discard the skin.

3. Add ingredients to blender

• Add prickly pears, 3 cups water, and sweetener of choice to a blender and remember to secure the lid.

4. Blend ingredients

• Process on low to medium setting, careful not to break down the seeds, for 60 seconds.

5. Strain ingredients

• Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a pitcher to remove any remaining seeds and pulp. Stir in remaining water.

6. Chill and enjoy

• Refrigerate the agua de tuna before serving. When ready to drink, pour over ice cubes and garnish with edible flowers, lime slices, or prickly pear slices if desired. Sometimes I even mix in chia seeds!

I love the color of this vibrant pink drink – it reminds me of my Hot Pink Corn Tortillas!

This is the same recipe, but made with green prickly pears. I like the green agua de tuna with a chili-lime salt rim.

HOW TO STORE AGUA FRESCA

Aguas frescas are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store this prickly pear juice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Always remember to stir before serving as ingredients tend to settle at the bottom when sitting. 

Once you make my agua de tuna, be sure to try my agua de sandia!

LOOKING FOR MORE INSPIRATION?

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Agua de Tuna (Prickly Pear Agua Fresca)

by Lola Dweck

Agua de tuna (prickly pear agua fresca) is a traditional Mexican beverage made by blending prickly pear cactus fruit, water, and a touch of sweetness.

5 from 5 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 6

Calories 32 kcal

Equipment

• Knife
• Cutting Board
• High-powered blender
• Fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth
• Pitcher
• Wooden spoon
• Glasses for serving

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 6 prickly pears red or green
• 6 cups water divided
• 1/4 cup sugar or to taste

Instructions

 

• Using gloves, peel prickly pears by cutting off about ½ inch from each end. Then slice lengthwise, about ¼ inch through from one end to the other lengthwise, cutting through the thick skin. Carefully remove the entire skin in once piece, by hand. It should come off easily in one piece and leave the fruit in tact.
• Blend tunas, 3 cups water, and sugar on medium setting for 60 seconds.
• Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into large pitcher. You may need to agitate the mixture to let the juice through, avoid pushing through the pulp to keep juice light in consistency. Discard or compost seeds and pulp.
• Stir in remaining 3 cups water.
• Chill and serve over ice. Garnish with edible flowers, slices of lime or prickly pears, chia seeds, or rim the glass with chili-lime salt (optional).

Nutrition

Serving: 8ouncesCalories: 32kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 0.01gFat: 0.03gSodium: 12mgPotassium: 3mgFiber: 0.02gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 0.01mg

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Recipe originally published on March 17, 2017.

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