Prickly Pear and Coconut Water Smoothie
The only drink you’ll need this summer! This smoothie is healthy, refreshing and downright delicious.
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.
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.
Prickly Pear and Coconut Water Smoothie
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
Nutrition
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 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
- Grapefruit-Cactus Paddle Smoothie by La Cocina de Leslie (this recipe used the paddles not the fruit)
(*recipe updated on 17th July 2019)
Nancy Lopez is a food blogger and author of the cookbook Mexican Tamales Made Meatless. Born in Mexico, raised in the US, and currently living in Southern Mexico, she has followed a meatless diet for almost 10 years. It is her passion and mission to share all she has learned about vegan Mexican cooking and vegetarian Mexican recipes. Mexican Made Meatless is a blog dedicated to preserving the authentic flavors of Mexican cuisine just without the meat. It’s a place to celebrate Mexican culture and all it’s delightfully delicious traditional foods. Read more…
¿Pitahaya y tuna son eguales?
Love this recipe!
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!
I never knew about the prickly pear!! The drink looks so vibrant and refreshing. Thanks for sharing the recipe nancy 🙂
I hope you can taste them some day Nandita. Thanks!
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. 😉
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:)
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?
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.
Looks good and refreshing! I have never tried this combo before, so thanks for sharing!
Julie
Gourmet Getaways
I have never had prickly pear… must try it now. 🙂 I love coconut water in smoothies. 🙂 Glad to see your YBR signup… just did. 🙂
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.
That is one gorgeous drink!
This looks sooo good and refreshing! Definitely need to try it