Prickly Pear Margaritas

Prickly Pear Margaritas

This fun and vibrant prickly pear margarita is perfect for a hot summer day–and for when you can get your hands on fresh prickly pears to make your own syrup. If prickly pears are hard to come by, you can substitute store-bought prickly pear syrup, which can be found at some liquor stores, specialty stores or online.

Ingredients:

Prickly Pear Simple Syrup:

  • 1 ½ pounds fresh prickly pears, spines scraped
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Margaritas:

  • 1 tablespoon margarita salt
  • 1 lime, cut into 5 wedges, divided
  • ¾ cup blanco tequila
  • 6 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 3 tablespoons orange liqueur, such as Grand Marnier
  • Ice

Instructions:

  1. To prepare simple syrup: Remove skin from prickly pears; chop flesh into large chunks. Transfer to a blender; process until completely smooth, about 30 seconds. Pour through a fine-mesh strainer into a large saucepan, pressing with the back of a spoon to extract as much juice as possible. Discard solids. Repeat straining once.
  2. Stir sugar into the juice in the pan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is syrupy, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in 1 tablespoon lime juice. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Use immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Makes about 2 cups.
  3. To prepare margaritas: Spread salt on a small plate. Rub 1 lime wedge around the rims of 4 rocks glasses or margarita glasses. Dip the rims into the salt; set the glasses aside. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur and 1/4 cup of the simple syrup; cover and shake until very cold, about 30 seconds. Add ice to the prepared glasses; strain the margaritas into the glasses. Serve with the remaining lime wedges.

Tips:

To make ahead: Refrigerate prickly pear simple syrup (Steps 1-2) in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks