lyn croyle
Are you looking for a refreshing drink that is the perfect combination of sweet, sour and fruity? look no further than this fresh hibiscus prickly pear recipe It offers all of this and more!
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One thing I love about living in South America is traveling and visiting the local markets. I never get tired of it!
I saw and tasted my first tuna, also known as tuna, on a trip to Peru before moving here. It wasn’t my favorite, but I’ve since learned to appreciate its flavor in juices where it really shines.
In this agua fresca, the smooth flavor of the red prickly pear perfectly balances the acidity of the hibiscus tea.
If you love making homemade drinks, you have to try this cucumber lemonade and strawberry lemonade! Both are easy, low sugar, and easy to make!
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❤️ Why you will love this recipe
- A tall glass of this fresh water makes an easy and refreshing drink for hot summer days!
- Light in added sugar to allow the natural flavor of the fruit and hibiscus tea to shine.
- Aguas frescas make fun and tasty non-alcoholic drinks to serve the guests at the summer party.
- easy to adjust the amount of sugar to the range of sweetness levels you prefer!
What is a Fresh Water?
Aguas frescas are a popular drink in Mexico and are sold in Mexican markets made from fruit and herb puree.
The phrase translates to “fresh waters,” which makes sense because they’re made from fresh ingredients and skip additives like lots of sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Traditionally, less sugar is added than juices or other sugary drinks, giving them a light, refreshing taste.
It’s a bit like a cross between a juice and flavored water that is less sweet than juice and more fruity than water.
🥘 Ingredients you need
Here’s a look at the simple ingredients you need to make this homemade agua fresca.
- Dried Hibiscus Flowers: These dried flowers, also called hibiscus flower, release a tart flavor similar to blueberries along with a deep purple-red color when soaked in water. This recipe uses dried whole flower hibiscus instead of tea bags that may contain the ground tea flowers instead of intact.
- tunas: They are also called prickly pears because they grow on a particular type of cactus. They can be found in red, yellow and green colors. I am using red prickly pear for a more vibrantly colored agua fresca. They are easy to find in South and Central America, while in the US they are most often found fresh in Latin American markets or specialty grocery stores in the fall through spring months. Be sure to use ripe fruits that are sweeter and juicier.
- Fresh lime juice: Using freshly squeezed juice is essential to get the best flavor. You can also use lemon juice. It will add sourness and tartness, but the taste is different.
- Sweetener: I am using panela, a type of brown sugar, but you can also use regular sugar, agave nectar, or another preferred sweetener.
🔀 substitutions and variations
- Soda water: If you want it to be fizzy, make a couple of changes. First, steep the hibiscus in a cup of water to make the iced tea base. Mix the fruit with a cup of water instead of two. Then replace the last two cups of water with sparkling water to prepare the final mix.
- Prickly pear syrup: Aguas frescas are traditionally made with real fruit. This makes them less sweet and lighter in flavor, but if you can’t find fresh fruit, you can use a prickly pear syrup instead. The syrup has a higher sugar content, so add about ⅓ – ½ cup of prickly pear syrup, depending on how sweet you want it.
- tunas: You can also use strawberries, blueberries, mixed berries, or other seasonal fruits in place of the prickly pears. Since hibiscus tastes quite tart, you’ll want to use fruits with a sweet profile.
🔪 How to make fresh prickly pear hibiscus water
Here’s a look at the main steps in making this prickly pear drink recipe.
- Make the prickly pear juice. Blend the peeled tuna with the remaining two cups of water and lime juice until smooth.
- strain the juice over a fine mesh strainer over a bowl. This removes any seeds or pieces of fruit that may be left in the mix.
- Soak the hibiscus leaves in two cups of hot water in a glass measuring cup for at least five minutes. Let it cooldown.
- Combine chilled hibiscus tea and strained fruit juice into a pitcher. Taste it and add a little sugar to your liking.
- Serve it over ice cubes. and garnish with fresh mint and a lime wedge.
🧺How to store
Personally, I prefer to enjoy freshly made agua fresca. However, you can store leftovers in the fridge in a covered jar or container for up to two days. You may need to stir or shake before serving.
Alternatively, you can freeze it for up to a month. Thaw in the fridge and shake before serving.
💭 Expert advice
- If possible, use fresh, ripe fruits. to make fresh water! It tastes much fresher and the more ripe the fruit, the more natural sweetness of the fruit.
- Serve cold or over ice cubes. for the best flavor and most refreshing experience.
- Garnish with fresh minthibiscus tea leaves and lime or lemon slices.
- Take care when handling fresh prickly pears. They have small sharp spines on the outside that can get stuck in your hand.
❓frequent questions
Large specialty grocery stores like Whole Foods or Latin American markets are more likely to carry it. You can also find it frozen in some specialty markets.
Prickly pear tastes fairly mild, but is naturally sweet and works well to tone down the mouth-puckering acidity of the hibiscus blossoms. It is light and refreshing with a mild fruit flavor with just a hint of sweetness.
More refreshing drink recipes
-
Pineapple Matcha Drink Recipe (Starbucks Copycat)
-
Strawberry Lemonade
-
Copycat Dragon Drink
-
Cucumber Lime Sparkling Drink Recipe
If you try this recipe, Why not leave a star rating on the recipe card just below? You also can leave a review in the comments section I always appreciate your comments. And don’t forget to tag me @cookeatlivelove in your photos on social media so I can see your creations..
📖 Recipe
Prickly Pear Hibiscus Fresh Water
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Equipment
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Blender
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mesh strainer
Ingredients
- ¼ cup hibiscus leaves
- 4 cups water pulled apart
- 2 cup prickly pear 5-6 fruits
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon pan agave syrup or other sweetener
Instructions
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Heat two cups of water over low heat. Pour over the hibiscus leaves and let sit for five minutes. Set aside and allow to cool completely.
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Peel the tuna carefully and cut it into cubes.
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Place the fruit in a blender with the remaining two cups of water and lemon juice. Blend until pureed. Place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and strain the juice to remove any large pieces of seed.
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Combine the cooled hibiscus tea and the strained juice in a bowl. Taste and add any sweetener you like. Serve over ice with fresh mint and sliced fresh fruit.
grades
Serve chilled or over ice cubes for the best flavor and most refreshing experience.
Garnish with fresh mint, hibiscus tea leaves, and lime or lemon wedges.
Take care when handling fresh prickly pears. They have small sharp spines on the outside that can get stuck in your hand.
Nutrition
The post Prickly Pear Hibiscus Agua Fresca appeared first on Cook Eat Live Love.
