Activated Charcoal Prickly Pear Lemonade Recipe
Recipe information
Make Activated Charcoal Prickly Pear Lemonade in just 20m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
Black Charcoal Lemonade Base
Prickly Pear Purée
Assembly & Garnish
Black Charcoal Lemonade Base
1. Make simple lemonade base
In a large pitcher, combine 1 cup fresh lemon juice and 1 cup granulated sugar. Stir vigorously until the sugar is fully dissolved. Add a pinch of fine sea salt and 4 cups cold water and stir to combine.
2. Incorporate activated charcoal
Sprinkle 1 teaspoon activated charcoal powder into a small bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of the prepared lemonade base and whisk into a smooth slurry to prevent clumping. Pour the charcoal slurry back into the pitcher and stir thoroughly until the lemonade is evenly gray-black. Taste and adjust sweetness with up to 2 additional teaspoons sugar if needed.
Prickly Pear Purée
3. Prepare fresh prickly pear pulp (if using fresh fruit)
If using fresh prickly pears, carefully peel the fruit (wear gloves to avoid spines). Scoop pulp into a blender, add 2 tablespoons hot water to loosen, and blend briefly until smooth. Strain the purée through a fine mesh sieve to remove seeds. You should end up with about 3 oz (6 tbsp) of bright magenta purée.
4. Sweeten purée if needed
If the purée tastes muted, stir in 1 teaspoon granulated sugar while still warm to bring out the color and flavor. Allow purée to cool to room temperature before assembly.
Assembly & Garnish
5. Layer and serve (still version)
Fill 6 tall glasses with ice (about 2 cups total). Pour the charcoal lemonade into each glass, filling roughly two-thirds full. Spoon 1/2 oz (about 1 tbsp) prickly pear purée into each glass; the denser purée will sink and create a layered ombré effect. Garnish each glass with a lemon slice and a mint sprig. Optionally add an edible flower or thin prickly pear slice on top.
6. Fizzy variation
For a sparkling version, fill glasses halfway with ice, pour in charcoal lemonade to the midpoint, then top with 1/3 cup sparkling water (per glass) and gently drizzle 1/2 oz prickly pear purée over the top so it disperses but still shows color contrast. Garnish as above.
7. Serve
Serve immediately with a stirrer or straw so guests can mix the prickly pear through the charcoal lemonade as they like. Note: activated charcoal can adsorb some medications and nutrients; advise guests with concerns to avoid consuming charcoal.
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