Bursting with refreshing flavors and natural goodness, prickly pear lemonade is a perfect way to beat the heat and quench your thirst during those scorching summer days.
The combination of sweet and vibrant prickly pear with the zesty tang of lemons creates a delicious variation of lemonade. It's pink, but a more vibrant hue than most pink lemonades.
And of course, by making it yourself, you can easily tweak the proportions to control the color and/or taste to your preference!
Why You'll Love This Lemonade
- Flavor: The best lemonade is sweet and tart with every sip, and this one is no exception. The prickly pear syrup adds another layer, with a flavor some describe as watermelon and bubble gum, with hints of raspberry and pear. It's delicious with lemon!
- Color: You've gotta love that color! Dark pink, magenta, purple-pink. Whatever words you choose, it is undeniable vibrant!
- Easy Ingredients: I found an easy to source prickly pear syrup to make this lemonade. So no need to run around to a bunch of grocery stores trying to find the prickly pear fruit. The syrup is in a bottle and ready to pour!
Ingredients Needed
It's a short ingredient list, because on a hot day you need refreshment fast!
How to Make Prickly Pear Lemonade
Homemade lemonade is so easy, but you do need to start with fresh-squeezed lemon juice. They'll give you the best flavor.
If you have a juicer, it'll make short work of that job. Just be sure to cut the peel from the lemon (including the white pith - too bitter!) before putting it in the juicer.
The number of lemons you need will depend upon their size and how juicy they are. I usually need about 5-6 lemons to get ¾ cup of juice (not counting the foamy part on top).
Add the water and sugar to the pitcher and stir until the sugar is dissolved. If planning ahead, you can warm up some of the water and dissolve the sugar in the warm water first, before adding to the pitcher. It's an extra step, but it does ensure the sugar is fully mixed.
Otherwise, just stir, stir, stir until the sugar crystals no longer sink to the bottom of the pitcher.
Now add the lemon juice and of course the prickly pear syrup.
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Once you stir this mixture, you'll see the gorgeous color come to life. Pour off a tiny amount to taste test, and adjust with sugar or lemon as needed. Just keep in mind that you'll be adding ice which will slowly melt and dilute the lemonade some, so take that into consideration.
Now add ice to the pitcher and slices of lemon as desired. It makes a lovely presentation in the pitcher, don't you think? ❤️
Serving Suggestions
Of course, you'll want to serve your prickly pear lemonade over ice. I like to garnish with a slice of lemon just to dress it up a bit.
All out of lemons? Garnish with a sprig of mint for a little added freshness!
If you like things bubbly, you could top each glass with a little sparkling water, or any bubbly beverage of your choice. 😁
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely, you can prepare the lemonade a day in advance and refrigerate it until needed. Just be sure to give it a good stir before pouring over ice.
Yes, this is a family-friendly beverage. Kids will love the bright pink color. Adults can add a little alcohol to their own glass, as desired.
Prickly pear syrup can be found in some specialty stores, gourmet markets, or online. I tried some I found on Amazon which was delicious but a bit spendy.... the bottle was only 7 ounces and if you're making lemonade by the pitcher you'll run out of syrup very quickly! So I was thrilled to find a big bottle of Torani brand prickly pear syrup at World Market. If you have that store nearby, I highly recommend it. Otherwise, the second link will take you to the Amazon listing for that brand.
More Recipes to Consider
📖 Recipe
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Prickly Pear Lemonade
Ingredients
- ¾ cup lemon juice fresh squeezed (about 5 - 7 lemons)
- ¾ cup sugar
- 6 cups water
- ⅓ cup prickly pear syrup
- Ice
- Lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- Place water and sugar in a large pitcher. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.¾ cup sugar, 6 cups water
- Add lemon juice and prickly pear syrup. Stir to combine.¾ cup lemon juice, ⅓ cup prickly pear syrup
- Do a quick taste test and adjust with sugar or lemon as needed.
- Add ice and lemon slices to pitcher as desired.Ice, Lemon slices for garnish
- Serve over ice with a slice of lemon.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Shilpa
This was a huge hit at home and the kids loved it. Thanks for the amazing recipe.
Sula
Thanks for trying my recipe, I'm so glad you liked it!
Anne
The unique flavor of prickly pear took this lemonade to a whole new level. It was perfect for a hot summer day.
Sula
Its truly refreshing!
Lisa
After a trip to Arizona, prickly pear has become my new favorite flavor. I really enjoyed the taste of this lemonade.
Sula
It's a wonderful flavor, I agree. Thanks for trying my recipe!
Jennifer Osborn
I made this for a Barbie themed girls brunch and it was delicious and so festive with the pink color. Thanks for a great recipe.
Sula
Absolutely perfect to celebrate Barbie!
Sharon
The color alone is a reason to make this lemonade! It is so pretty. The flavor is super refreshing and this drink is perfect for a summer party.
Sula
Oh yes I think a pitcher of this lemonade just screams "SUMMER"!
Ellen
This was perfect for the baby shower I hosted for my niece! She's having a girl and everyone loved the beautiful color and how refreshing it was. Thanks for a great recipe.
Sula
What a perfect baby shower beverage! Congrats to your niece!
Sage Scott
My parents live in New Mexico, home of prickly pear everything. While I've had prickly pear lemonade before, I've never tried making it myself. To reduce the sugar a bit, I used the equivalent stevia. So refreshing!
Sula
Yummy, I love your Stevia substitute, I think I'll try that next!