Agua de Tuna | Prickly Pear Cactus Agua Fresca

1. Using the tip of a knife, carefully make a slit lengthwise down each prickly pear. Use your fingers to peel away the skin. Chop 2 of the peeled prickly pears into small cubes and set aside.
2. Add the remaining 10 peeled prickly pears to a blender along with 4 cups of filtered water, the sweetener, lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Blend on high for about 1 minute.
3. Turn off the blender and let the mixture sit undisturbed for about 5 minutes. This allows any seeds that weren’t broken down to settle toward the bottom, making the agua easier to strain.
4. Fill a large pitcher with plenty of ice and add the reserved cubed prickly pear. Place a fine-mesh strainer over the pitcher and slowly pour the blended mixture through.
5. Add the remaining 1 cup of filtered water and mix well. Taste and add more sweetener or lime juice to your liking. Serve cold and enjoy.