Prickly Pear Margarita recipe

Name: Prickly Pear Margarita
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1 cocktail
Cuisine: Cocktail
Ingredients: 2 oz Blanco Tequila; 1 oz Prickly Pear Syrup; 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice; 0.5 oz Cointreau or Orange Liqueur

Blanco tequila, lime and vivid prickly pear syrup in a bright cactus-fruit Margarita.

Method: Shake · Glass: Rocks glass, half salt or Tajín rim · Time: 5 min · Difficulty: Beginner · Family: The Sidecar Family

Ingredients

2 oz Blanco Tequila (100% agave)
1 oz Prickly Pear Syrup (cactus-pear syrup, chilled)
1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
0.5 oz Cointreau or Orange Liqueur

How to make a Prickly Pear Margarita

Run a lime wedge around half the rim of a rocks glass. Dip the moistened half in flaky salt or Tajín, then fill the glass with fresh ice.
Add blanco tequila, prickly pear syrup, fresh lime juice and orange liqueur to a cocktail shaker with ice.
Shake hard for 12 to 15 seconds, until the shaker is very cold and the fuchsia syrup is fully integrated.
Strain over the prepared fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wedge and serve immediately.

Garnish

Half salt or Tajín rim and a lime wedge.

Pro tip

Prickly pear syrup brings sweetness as well as color, so keep the lime freshly squeezed and avoid extra sweetener unless the syrup is unusually tart. A half rim lets the drinker choose salt with each sip.

History of the Prickly Pear Margarita

Prickly Pear Margarita is a modern cactus-fruit variation on the classic tequila, lime and orange-liqueur template. Prickly pear, also called cactus pear, brings a vivid pink color and a flavor often described between watermelon, kiwi and guava, while the core Margarita structure keeps the finish crisp.

Flavour profile

Fruity, Citrus, Agave, Bright

Variations

Margarita — Return to the classic tequila, orange liqueur and lime original.
Tamarind Margarita — Use tart tamarind for a darker, tangier fruit direction.
Passion Fruit Margarita — Use aromatic passion fruit for a tropical tartness.
Mango Margarita — Use mango nectar for a richer tropical fruit expression.
Guava Margarita — Use fragrant pink guava for a floral-tropical finish.
Spicy Pineapple Margarita — Pair pineapple with measured jalapeño heat.
Spicy Margarita — Use jalapeño or chile for a cleaner heat-led variation.
Mezcal Margarita — Use mezcal for a smoky counterpoint to the fruit.

Practise making the Prickly Pear Margarita in the free Virtual Bar game.