Activated Charcoal Prickly Pear Lemonade Recipe
Make Activated Charcoal Prickly Pear Lemonade Recipe in just 20m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
Was this page helpful?
Help improve this recipe for others.
Send this recipe to your inbox.
We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.
Ingredients
Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Black Charcoal Lemonade Base
Prickly Pear Purée
Assembly & Garnish
Method
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.
