How to Make Agua de Tuna (Mexican Prickly Pear Agua Fresca)
Agua de tuna is an agua fresca made with prickly pear fruit. It’s made by blending red or green prickly pears with water, sugar or sweetener of choice. Agua de tuna is a refreshing drink perfect for summer heat and ready in about 10 minutes.
What is Tuna (Prickly Pear Fruit)
Tuna (or tunas in plural form) is the sweet, juicy fruit that grows on the nopal cactus, and it’s commonly known in English as prickly pear. This fruit is very popular across Mexico and reaches peak season during the summer months.
Despite its name, tuna has nothing to do with fish— which I know can be confusing in English. In case you’re wondering the Spanish word for tuna fish is “atún”.
The outer peel comes in beautiful shades of deep red, yellow, orange, and green. Once the peel is removed the fruit inside can be a bright pink color, or it can be a yellowish-orange tone, and the green ones are white inside.
Prickly pear fruit, or tuna, is a naturally sweet cactus fruit with a flavor similar to watermelon and cucumber.
It has a thick, spiny peel that must be carefully removed. Inside, the soft, juicy flesh is studded with small, hard (but edible) seeds, and its texture is much like a tender watermelon.
Tunas are in season from spring through early fall, making this recipe a seasonal favorite.
Tunas are not only delicious but also rich in antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C, making them a refreshing and nutritious ingredient for drinks like agua fresca de tuna.
I Grew Up Eating Tuna
I was born in the western Mexican state of Jalisco, where tuna (prickly pear fruit) is a popular treat that’s in season spring through early fall.
Growing up, I remember my sisters and I would devour tunas as soon as my mom peeled them. She’d stick a fork into the fruit so we could eat it like a lollipop. Sometimes we drizzled lime juice on top, and other times we sprinkled Tajín — either way, it was so delicious!
During the season, vendors sold prickly pears in plastic bags or containers, and it wasn’t unusual to find prickly pear juice. Agua fresca and paletas made with tuna were available just about everywhere.
Needless to say, tuna has always been one of my favorite fruits — and the bright pink ones are my absolute favorite! I used to love when my mom would serve us a big pitcher of hot pink agua de tunas.
What is Agua de Tuna?
Agua de tuna is a traditional Mexican agua fresca made from the fruit of the prickly pear cactus, also known as tuna. It’s a light, naturally sweet drink that’s especially popular during the hot summer months.
This refreshing beverage is a healthier alternative to sugary sodas and is perfect for both kids and adults.
Depending on the variety of prickly pear used, the drink can be a vibrant pink or a pale green—both equally delicious and beautiful in their own way.
Why You’ll Love This Agua Fresca
• Prickly pear cactus fruit is packed with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C
• Naturally sweet and refreshing — with refined sugar-free options
• Made with just 3 to 4 simple ingredients
• Ready in about 10 minutes!
• Customizable: Use red or green tunas, and add extras like lime juice, hibiscus (jamaica), or chia seeds.
Ingredients
Tunas (Prickly Pear Fruit): These are commonly found at Hispanic grocery stores or at any local mercado in Mexico. Choose your favorite variety — red, pink, or green tunas all work beautifully for this agua fresca.
Water: Used for blending and thinning the agua fresca to your desired consistency.
Sweetener: Use your favorite — turbinado, muscovado, or piloncillo. Just a heads up: refined white sugar and cane sugar is often processed with bone char, so it’s not vegan-friendly. I used agave nectar for this recipe
Lime Juice (Optional): I like to add a splash because it helps enhance the natural flavor of the prickly pear and adds a pop of freshness.
Nancy’s Tip
Don’t worry — the tunas you find at most grocery stores or mercados have already had their prickly spines removed, so they’re much easier (and safer!) to handle. Just peel off the skin as described. In some places, especially in Mexico, you can even buy tunas already peeled and ready to eat!
💡 Traditional Tip:
In some parts of Mexico, tunas are gently muddled by hand instead of blended. You can mash the peeled fruit with a spoon or muddler, then strain the juice for a more rustic version.
How to Make Hot Pink Agua de Tuna (Mexican Prickly Pear Agua Fresca)
This vibrant hot pink agua de tuna is made with red prickly pears and comes together in minutes for the most refreshing summer drink.
1. Carefully peel the tunas:
Using gloves or a kitchen towel, hold each prickly pear and slice off both ends. Make a shallow slit down the side of the fruit and gently peel back the thick skin to reveal the soft inner flesh. Discard the peel.
2. Blend the fruit:
Place the peeled tunas in a blender along with half the cold water, lime juice (if using) and your sweetener of choice. Blend until smooth.
3. Strain seeds:
Place a fine mesh strainer over your pitcher and pour the blended mixture through. This helps strain seeds for a smoother drink.
4. Add remaining water and lime juice:
Stir in the rest of the cold water. Taste and adjust sweetness as desired.
5. Serve or chill:
Serve immediately over lots of ice or refrigerate the agua de tuna for at least 30 minutes before serving. Garnish with a slice of lime or slice of tuna fruit if desired. If you want to do the chia seeds variation then add the chia to the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to let the seeds expand.
🌿 Agua de Tuna Verde Variation
Want to switch things up? Try using green tunas instead! This will give you a light green prickly pear agua fresca with a slightly milder flavor, still just as refreshing.
How to Serve and Store
This hot pink prickly pear agua fresca is best served chilled over lots of ice — especially on hot days when you need something light and refreshing.
All agua fresca pair perfectly with classic Mexican dishes like tacos (like my crispy potato tacos), vegan tamales, tostadas, or even a big bowl of ensalada de coditos or ensalada de pollo for a refreshing summer meal. It’s also perfect with lighter street food snacks like esquites, tlacoyos, or just a bowl of fresh guacamole and chips!
To Store:
Store leftovers in a covered pitcher or airtight jar in the refrigerator. It’s best enjoyed within 1 to 2 days for the freshest flavor. Give it a quick stir before serving again.
Recipe Variation
You can turn this hot pink agua de tunas into a fun adult drink and make a pretty pink prickly pear margarita.
Start by peeling the fruit, place in a cocktail glass, muddle the fruit until completely broken down and juicy. Next strain seeds to make the prickly pear juice.
In another cocktail glass mix together some of the prickly pear juice, silver tequila, freshly squeezed lime juice, and agave syrup until well combined. Serve with lots of ice cubes in a salt or Tajin rimmed glass.
More Mexican Agua Fresca Recipes You’ll Love
- Agua de Jamaica – hibiscus tea
- Cucumber Lime Agua Fresca
- Agua de Piña – pineapple agua fresca
- Agua de Sandía – watermelon agua fresca
- Dragon Fruit Agua Fresca
- Papaya-Orange Agua Fresca
Gracias
I’m so happy you stopped by. If you have any questions or want to let me know how you liked this recipe, do leave a comment. Muchas gracias, I appreciate you!
How to Make Agua de Tuna (Mexican Prickly Pear Agua Fresca)
Ingredients
- 6 tunas prickly pears, red or green
- 4-6 cups ice cold water adjust to taste
- ¼ cup agave or sweetener of choice
- ½ small lime juice optional
- lots of ice cubes for serving
Optional Ingredients
- small pinch of salt
- ½ Tablespoon chia seeds
Instructions
- Thoroughly rinse, hold each prickly pear and slice off both ends. Make a shallow slit down the side of the fruit and gently peel back the thick skin to reveal the soft inner flesh. Discard the peel.
- Place the tunas, 2 cups of water, agave, and lime juice in a blender cup. Blend until completely smooth.
- Place a fine mesh sieve over a pitcher, strain the prickly pear juice into the pitcher, and discard the seeds.
- Pour in the remaining water and mix to well combine. Taste and adjust sweetness if desired. Additionally you can add more water to thin out the agua fresca if you’d like.
- Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes or serve with lots of ice cubes. If you’d like you can do a salt or Tajin rim on the serving glass.
Recipe Notes & Pro Tips
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions About Agua de Tuna
What does agua de tuna taste like?
Agua de tuna has a naturally sweet, light flavor that’s often compared to a mix of watermelon, and cucumber. It’s fruity, refreshing, and pairs perfectly with lime or a sprinkle of Tajín.
Are tunas the same as tuna fish?
Nope! In Spanish, tuna refers to the fruit of the prickly pear cactus. It has nothing to do with fish. If you’re looking for tuna fish, that’s called atún in Spanish.
Can I make agua de tuna without sugar?
Yes! Tunas are naturally sweet, so you may not need any sweetener at all. If you’d like to keep it refined sugar-free, try using agave nectar or just enjoy it as-is.
What color are tunas? Which ones are best?
Tunas come in several colors — red, pink, green, yellow, and orange. Red/pink tunas make a gorgeous hot pink drink, while green tunas result in a paler, slightly more mellow agua fresca. All are delicious — it really comes down to your flavor and color preference!
Can I use chia seeds in this recipe?
Absolutely! Adding a spoonful of chia seeds is a popular twist that adds texture and extra fiber. Just stir them in after blending and straining, then let the agua fresca sit for 10–15 minutes so the chia seeds can plump up.
Is it safe to eat the seeds in prickly pear fruit?
Yes, the seeds are edible — but they’re hard and a bit gritty. That’s why I recommend blending and then straining the juice to make your drink nice and smooth.
When are tunas in season?
Prickly pears are typically in season from late spring through early fall, depending on the region. In Mexico and the U.S. Southwest, you’ll often find them at mercados or Hispanic grocery stores during this time.
Can I make agua de tuna ahead of time?
Yes! You can make it a few hours ahead and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Just give it a quick stir before serving, especially if you’ve added chia seeds or lime juice.
Is agua de tuna the same as prickly pear juice?
Pretty much! Agua de tuna is the Mexican version of prickly pear juice, but it’s typically thinned with water, sweetened, and served chilled — just like any other agua fresca.
Nancy Lopez is a Mexican-born food writer and author of Mexican Tamales Made Meatless. Raised in the U.S. and now living in Southern Mexico, she creates authentic vegan and vegetarian Mexican recipes rooted in tradition and tested for real home kitchens.Read more…
