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Desert Blush Lemonade

Uncategorized June 22, 2015

A few posts ago I talked about some cactus pears that I ordered from Melissa’s online produce company. Never had them before so I wasn’t sure what to do with them; for some reason the first thing I thought of was making them into a drink. Was originally thinking some sort of mocktail but then Alexandra mentioned having a cactus pear lemonade in New Mexico once, and that just sounded delicious so I had to try it out. Came out yummy and refreshing, and it put me on kind of a lemonade roll now. Thinking of doing a watermelon lemonade next…

prickly pear, desert pear drink

flavored lemonade recipe, prickly pear

summer drink recipe, party, flavored lemonade

prickly pear, fruit lemonade recipe, summer party


Desert Blush Lemonade
Serves 2-3

  • 1/2 cup cactus pear juice
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3 lemons)
  • 3 cups sparkling water (or plain water)
Directions:
For the cactus pear juice: use a sharp knife to cut and peel cactus pears; discard the peels. Place fruits in food processor and puree. Use a fine mesh sieve to strain out and discard seeds.

Combine cactus pear juice and sugar in a small saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and pour into a clean container. Let cool until just warm, then chill in fridge.

Once the cactus pear syrup is cold, combine 1/2 cup syrup, lemon juice, and sparkling water. Taste and add more syrup or water to taste. Serve over ice.

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Comments

  1. Squirrel Princess says

    June 29, 2015 at 12:12 am

    wow this is very beautiful love the cute panda cool recipes
    http://artadorned.com/
    I blog about jewelry and how to style jewelry with outfits.

    Reply
  2. Adriana says

    June 27, 2015 at 11:17 pm

    This looks amazing! Beautiful pictures too!
    xx

    http://www.theblackblush.blogspot.com

    Reply
  3. Gina G says

    June 26, 2015 at 6:15 pm

    thanks Annie ^^

    Reply
  4. Gina G says

    June 26, 2015 at 6:14 pm

    thanks Prudence!

    Reply
  5. Gina G says

    June 26, 2015 at 6:14 pm

    thanks!

    Reply
  6. Gina G says

    June 26, 2015 at 6:14 pm

    Haha aren't they just so much more delicious from mason jars?? Lol

    Reply
  7. Gina G says

    June 26, 2015 at 6:13 pm

    thank you!

    Reply
  8. Gina G says

    June 26, 2015 at 6:13 pm

    thanks Erica!

    Reply
  9. Gina G says

    June 26, 2015 at 6:13 pm

    thanks!

    Reply
  10. Gina G says

    June 26, 2015 at 6:13 pm

    It's not really tangy, it has a pretty clear flavor like normal pears, really good for a lemonade

    Reply
  11. Gina G says

    June 26, 2015 at 6:12 pm

    Thanks so much Lena! And hmm…I have actually thought about that but I feel like I would be insecure taking photos in a restaurant with people staring, idk lol

    Reply
  12. Gina G says

    June 26, 2015 at 6:11 pm

    thanks!

    Reply
  13. Gina G says

    June 26, 2015 at 6:11 pm

    thanks Albert!

    Reply
  14. Gina G says

    June 26, 2015 at 6:11 pm

    thank you!

    Reply
  15. Gina G says

    June 26, 2015 at 6:11 pm

    thanks!!

    Reply
  16. Gina G says

    June 26, 2015 at 6:10 pm

    thank you!

    Reply
  17. Gina G says

    June 26, 2015 at 6:10 pm

    thanks!

    Reply
  18. Gina G says

    June 26, 2015 at 6:10 pm

    thank you!

    Reply
  19. Gina G says

    June 26, 2015 at 6:10 pm

    Yeah I had only heard of it from Food Network, but it is yummy and so fun to discover new fruits

    Reply
  20. Gina G says

    June 26, 2015 at 6:09 pm

    thanks Kelly!

    Reply
  21. Gina G says

    June 26, 2015 at 6:09 pm

    thanks 🙂

    Reply
  22. annie lee says

    June 26, 2015 at 4:48 pm

    if i had a cafe here – this drink would be such a hit! looks so refreshing 🙂

    Reply
  23. prudence yeo says

    June 26, 2015 at 5:17 am

    This drinks looks really tasty and refreshing, thanks for sharing!

    Prudence
    http://www.prudencepetitestyle.com

    Reply
  24. Tina Phan says

    June 25, 2015 at 2:31 pm

    I seriously just made a smoothie and drank it from a mason jar a couple of hours ago. But this looks really delicious too! I love that you added sparkling water to the drink!

    Tina
    http://www.justatinabit.com

    Reply
  25. Kelsey & Kenecha says

    June 25, 2015 at 2:31 pm

    This looks amazing!

    Florals&Smiles
    Twitter

    Reply
  26. Erica Choi says

    June 25, 2015 at 2:40 am

    This looks so delicious! Love 🙂

    Erica
    http://www.eggcanvas.me

    Reply
  27. trend-mixblog says

    June 25, 2015 at 2:40 am

    This looks so good! 🙂
    http://trend-mixblog.com/

    Reply
  28. Talisa Tossell says

    June 25, 2015 at 1:41 am

    Beautiful photos and I love love love your style of writing! Keep it up!

    Chanel Lipstick 99 “Pirate” Swatches and Review

    Reply
  29. Trou Vang says

    June 24, 2015 at 11:18 pm

    This looks so refreshing! I have yet to taste cactus pear juice but it sounds sweet and tangy. 🙂

    <3 Trou
    The Peculiar Trouth

    Reply
  30. meandmr.com says

    June 24, 2015 at 9:33 pm

    Yum, this looks incredible!!
    Melanie @ meandmr.com

    Reply
  31. Unknown says

    June 24, 2015 at 9:33 pm

    What a light and refreshing drink Gina, you have the best recipes and photography, ever think about doing restaurant reviews too? Anyhow, avid fan here 🙂 xo~ Lena
    http://www.felinecreatures.com

    Reply
  32. Albert Wijaya says

    June 24, 2015 at 4:44 pm

    This looks amazing! Great post 🙂

    Best, Albert | Palming Pebbles

    Reply
  33. Anonymous says

    June 24, 2015 at 3:40 pm

    This looks very yummy!

    LUXESSED

    Reply
  34. Sarah Modeee says

    June 24, 2015 at 1:38 pm

    Hello,

    Amazing ! 😀

    Sarah, http://sarahmodeee.blogspot.fr/

    Reply
  35. Kelly says

    June 24, 2015 at 1:38 pm

    Oh my goodness, this sounds amazing, what a perfect summer drink!

    xx Kelly
    Sparkles and Shoes

    Reply
  36. Straight A Style says

    June 24, 2015 at 1:38 pm

    Wow, this sounds and looks amazing! I've never Heard of a cactus pear before.

    Amy Ann
    Straight A Style

    Reply
  37. Wishes & Reality says

    June 24, 2015 at 1:38 pm

    I'm loving these recipe post of yours! This looks super tasty!

    Wishes & Reality

    Reply
  38. Am2Pm Chic says

    June 24, 2015 at 1:38 pm

    Wow, this look so refreshing, and thanks for sharing recipe.
    xoxo
    Christy

    http://www.am2pmchic.com

    Reply
  39. Arden Rubens (TOPCOAT) says

    June 24, 2015 at 1:38 pm

    This sounds so delicious!!! xx

    TOPCOAT – FASHION BLOG

    Reply
  40. Miss LovelyAttitude says

    June 24, 2015 at 1:38 pm

    this sounds so good 🙂 I'll have to try this out 🙂 I love the pics ou take 🙂

    http://lovelyattitude.com

    Reply
  41. Gina G says

    June 23, 2015 at 11:18 pm

    yeah I'm not a fan of fake lemonades either. There are just too many fresh, delicious ones in the world!

    Reply
  42. Gina G says

    June 23, 2015 at 11:18 pm

    haha thanks Paige

    Reply
  43. Gina G says

    June 23, 2015 at 11:17 pm

    thanks for the idea Alexandra!

    Reply
  44. Gina G says

    June 23, 2015 at 11:17 pm

    thanks Jasmine!

    Reply
  45. Gina G says

    June 23, 2015 at 11:17 pm

    thank you!

    Reply
  46. Gina G says

    June 23, 2015 at 11:17 pm

    thanks!

    Reply
  47. Gina G says

    June 23, 2015 at 11:16 pm

    me too! Thanks Deniz

    Reply
  48. Gina G says

    June 23, 2015 at 11:16 pm

    thanks 🙂

    Reply
  49. Gina G says

    June 23, 2015 at 11:16 pm

    Thanks! And yeah, they were a pretty good investment I think

    Reply
  50. Gina G says

    June 23, 2015 at 11:16 pm

    thanks Mikela!

    Reply
  51. Gina G says

    June 23, 2015 at 11:15 pm

    Lol thanks May!

    Reply
  52. Gina G says

    June 23, 2015 at 11:14 pm

    thanks!

    Reply
  53. Gina G says

    June 23, 2015 at 11:14 pm

    thanks!

    Reply
  54. Paige Flamm says

    June 23, 2015 at 7:49 pm

    This looks so delicious and refreshing! I'm definitely going to plan on drinking this all summer long!

    Paige
    http://thehappyflammily.com

    Reply
  55. Aleczandra Sallows says

    June 23, 2015 at 7:49 pm

    I love how REAL this is! So many lemonades are artificially sweet and kinda nasty. This one looks unreal.

    https://forsevenseasons.wordpress.com

    Reply
  56. Deniz G says

    June 23, 2015 at 2:34 pm

    Lemonade is definitely my go to drink during summer – thanks for this recipe!

    – Deniz
    http://www.dressedupdeniz.com

    Reply
  57. Anonymous says

    June 23, 2015 at 2:34 pm

    Yummy!

    http://carrieslifestyle.wordpress.com

    Posts online about St. Anton, Provence, South Africa…

    Reply
  58. Czarisse Manlangit says

    June 23, 2015 at 2:34 pm

    Looks so refreshing and delicious! I'm looking forward to making this.

    sofxcza.blogspot.com

    Reply
  59. Jasmine Hwang says

    June 23, 2015 at 2:34 pm

    Okay this is definitely something that I can get down with and make on my own! That sounds SO delish, especially on a sweltering day!!! Yummmm!

    be the plebeian

    Reply
  60. Simply Alexandra // My Favorite Things says

    June 23, 2015 at 2:34 pm

    Yum!! It looks so good. I love the name you gave it! I have been on such a lemonade kick this summer. XO -Alexandra

    Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things

    Reply
  61. Claire says

    June 23, 2015 at 5:04 am

    This looks way to delicious!

    God bless,
    XO, Claire
    http://www.littlemissfashionqueen.com

    Reply
  62. Shea Sayers says

    June 23, 2015 at 3:48 am

    Oh my goodness this sounds so good and so refreshing! I love lemonade in the summer, and this is such a fun take on the classic!

    Reply
  63. May Cho says

    June 23, 2015 at 3:48 am

    Omg, I just want to take these home and display them in my room forever. They are so. adorable. The little mason jars are so cute, ahhh! I want to try this out!

    May x | THE MAYDEN

    Reply
  64. Simply Davelyn says

    June 23, 2015 at 3:48 am

    I hadn't heard of cactus pears before, but this looks so good! I'll have to try it sometime this summer for sure!

    xo, mikéla / simplydavelyn.com

    Reply
  65. IYL says

    June 23, 2015 at 3:48 am

    These look delicious! And how cute are those bottles!
    http://theavantguardian.com

    Reply
  66. Sybil says

    June 23, 2015 at 1:58 am

    looks refreshing!!! 😀 wow!! 😀

    Have a great week!
    Animated Confessions

    Reply
  67. Gina G says

    June 23, 2015 at 1:01 am

    I know, I think I may have seen someone make a soup out of them on a Food Network show once, but that is about it. And the flavor is great because the pears have a very light, clean taste so you get a lot of lemonade flavor with just a hint of sweet pear.

    Reply
  68. Gina G says

    June 23, 2015 at 1:00 am

    thanks!

    Reply
  69. Gina G says

    June 23, 2015 at 12:59 am

    I don't know quite how to describe it. It's a very clean taste, maybe like a pear with less flavor?? The taste did not at all match the vibrant red color!

    Reply
  70. Anonymous says

    June 22, 2015 at 11:39 pm

    It looks delicious and refreshing! The little milk bottles are the cutest thing. I have to ask, what does cactus pear juice taste like?

    Reply
  71. Rachel Dinh says

    June 22, 2015 at 11:39 pm

    This looks so refreshing, thanks for sharing!

    http://www.racheldinh.com

    Reply
  72. Tania says

    June 22, 2015 at 11:39 pm

    I've never heard of cactus pears! The color is so beautiful and it looks refreshing. Those tiny little bottles are so cute! I just wonder how it tastes!

    xx freshfizzle

    Reply

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All photos and content ©Gina Chong. Printables and recipes are for personal use only.

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