Prickly Pear and Coconut Water Smoothie

The only drink you’ll need this summer! This smoothie is healthy, refreshing and downright delicious.

Prickly Pear and Coconut Water Smoothie | #PricklyPearFruit #cactusfruit #smoothie #coconutwater

Stay Hydrated

When the sun is blazing and it feels like you could (literally) fry an egg on the top of your head, you need a refreshing drink. I knew it was going to be hot in the tropics but Jesus, it’s really hot! Does that sound like I’m complaining? I’m not. Getting to live in eternal summer is very, very nice.

It was last November when we arrived in Playa del Carmen and when we commented about the heat people would tell us to wait until July and August — summertime. I didn’t know how I would make it since it already felt hot to me during the “winter” here last year. But I’m happy to report that I haven’t (entirely) melted away yet — though I did have one day where I nearly passed out from the heat…then again, what do you expect when you go riding your bike around town in the middle of the day when the sun is at it’s brightest. Thankfully we arrived at the beach so I could go cool off and all was well.

My husband and I are making sure that we drink plenty of water and refreshing drinks, like this one, throughout the day. Feeling the 1000% humidity and the need to quench my thirst lead me to create this drink. It’s quite a simple one to prepare and definitely one that helps keep our bodies hydrated.

Prickly Pear and Coconut Water Smoothie | #PricklyPearFruit #cactusfruit #smoothie #coconutwater

What is a Tuna or Prickly Pear Fruit

Next to natural water, coconut water (the clear liquid inside) is the best drink you can give your body. It has high levels of electrolytes, which keep your body functioning and hydrated. It is low in calories and naturally sweet but without having to worry about it. I love drinking it to not only help prevent dehydration but also when I feel a headache coming on — it always helps. The other main ingredient in this drink is prickly pears or the fruits from the prickly pear cactus, also known as nopales. In Mexico, we call these fruits tuna and they are also related to pitahayas. These fruits are high in water content and will surely help keep you hydrated. They are a tad sweet but they are still safe for diabetics. The last ingredient that I used was a little bit of fresh lime juice, this was just to help boost the flavour.

Tunas or Prickly Pear Fruit | #mexico #fruit #tunas #pricklypear #cactusfigs

Prickly Pear and Coconut Water Smoothie | #PricklyPearFruit #cactusfruit #smoothie #coconutwater

Prickly Pear and Coconut Water Smoothie

Nancy Lopez & MexicanMadeMeatless.com
The only drink you'll need this summer! This smoothie is healthy, refreshing and downright delicious.
5 from 2 votes
Save Recipe Pin Recipe Leave a Review
Course Drinks
Cuisine Mexican, vegan
Servings 1
Calories

Ingredients
  

Ingredients

  • 2 prickly pear fruits they are known as tunas or pitayas in Mexican supermarkets
  • 330 ml or 11.2 fl oz of coconut water*
  • the juice of half of a small lime
  • sweetener of choice if desired (I didn’t use any)
  • ice cubes to serve

Instructions
 

Instructions

  • Cut the prickly pear fruits in half and gently scoop out or peel away from the skin; add to blender with the coconut water and lime juice, blend until smooth. Strain and serve over ice and/or store in the refrigerator until ready to drink.

Notes

*Coconut water is the clear liquid found inside of fresh coconuts. Don't use coconut milk, this recipe has ONLY been tested using coconut water.

Nutrition

Serving: 0servingsCarbohydrates: 0gProtein: 0gFat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0gMonounsaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgPotassium: 0mgFiber: 0gSugar: 0gVitamin A: 0IUVitamin C: 0mgCalcium: 0mgIron: 0mg
Tried this recipe?Leave me a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review and tag me on social media @MexicanMadeMeatless or tag #mexicanmademeatless!

So what did this smoothie taste like? Delicious! There were hints of all three ingredients and nothing over-powered each other. Coconut water is so mild tasting that it works well with the lime and prickly pear. I think the coconut water and prickly pear are sweet enough but if you’d like you may use sugar if desired. Enjoy!

Prickly Pear and Coconut Water Smoothie | #PricklyPearFruit #cactusfruit #smoothie #coconutwater

prickly pear fruit recipes

The Prickly Pear Mojito by My Man’s Belly
Prickly Pear Margarita by Sweet Life
Prickly Pear Lemonade, Popsicles, Granita & Sorbet by How Does She
Prickly Pear Ice Cream by Nouveau Raw
Agua de Tuna – Fresh Prickly Pear Water by girlichef

(*recipe updated on 17th July 2019)

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19 Comments

    1. Hola Letty! No idénticas, pero si las dos frutas crecen en arboles de cactus. Las tunas en los nopales y las pitahayas en un arbol alto y largo. Hay gente que a las tunas le llama también pitaya así que aguas.:)

      Thanks so much!

  1. I never knew about the prickly pear!! The drink looks so vibrant and refreshing. Thanks for sharing the recipe nancy 🙂

  2. 5 stars
    I am intrigued by your new fruit and I wonder what the smoothie tastes like. This time it’s the other way round. You are in the hot tropics and me in Europe. ^.^ Nancy, we are bound to meet one day. 😉

    1. It is quite a unique taste, difficult to describe because the prickly pear brings it’s own delicious flavours.

      Definitely, we are bound to meet one day Helene. Can’t wait:)

  3. I do know the troublesome prickly pear …. it grows in my neighbor’s yard, the desert and the open field next door. I have picked all of those, in the past, and wasted 2 pairs of leather gloves and two pairs of hands trying to pull the thorns off!! “Just burn them off!” Yeah, right! “use needlenose pliers and pull them off!” Um, I don’t think so – they end up in your skin! Aside from all of that, they are yummy! Hey guys, let professional masochists prep your fruit for you and enjoy, they are delicious – hmm, I wonder what sort of chutney they might make?

    1. Very good advice Tori!:) I’ve always prefered to buy mine ready to peel and eat, but have experienced the thorns and it’s not fun — specially the almost translucent ones you can’t see, ouch!

      I think they’d make a fantastic chutney, enjoy.

  4. 5 stars
    I have never had prickly pear… must try it now. 🙂 I love coconut water in smoothies. 🙂 Glad to see your YBR signup… just did. 🙂

  5. Oh I just LOVE the combo of the prickly pear and coconut water here for a smoothie. A must try for sure. I can totally relate to your overheating issue. I think Mexico in the summer would kill me.

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