This gorgeously pink prickly pear margarita is easy to make and ultra refreshing! You’ll only need 4 ingredients and a few minutes to make it.
A few years ago we visited Arizona and discovered the delights of a prickly pear margarita. Pink, refreshing, and delicious, this simple sip is everything you could ask for in a cocktail on a hot afternoon.
During the cooler months of the year a blood orange margarita is my go-to, but once the sun starts scorching a pink prickly pear margarita is it. This simple recipe makes a margarita just like the ones I enjoyed in the Arizona sun. If you’ve never tasted prickly pear, this cocktail is a great place to start!
Why You’ll Love This Prickly Pear Margarita Recipe
- Quick & Easy. You’ll only need a few ingredients and a couple of minutes to make the best prickly pear margarita ever. Just mix, pour, and serve.
- Refreshing. Maybe it’s because I first tried a prickly pear margarita in the desert, but this cocktail is just ultra refreshing and satisfying on a scorching afternoon.
- Delicious. With the perfect balance of tart and sweet, this cocktail is as delicious as it is beautiful. Freshly squeezed lime juice compliments the sweet prickly pear syrup and Cointreau, which are mixed with reposado tequila.
What is Prickly Pear? What Does It Taste Like?
Prickly pear fruit is an edible fruit that grows on certain species of cactus plants. These cacti are native to arid and desert regions, and their fruit comes in various vibrant colors, including shades of red, orange, yellow, and green. Prickly pear fruit is typically oval or pear-shaped and covered in small spines which give it a prickly appearance, hence the name.
Prickly pear fruit is sweet and tangy, with hints of melon-like flavors. Imagine a combination of a sweet pear and a slightly tart watermelon, with a touch of citrusy notes like lemon or kiwi. It’s super tasty!
Finding the Best Prickly Pear Syrup
The key to making a prickly pear margarita at home is finding the right syrup. There are a lot of “prickly pear syrups” on the market, but many of them don’t even have prickly pear. In fact, one of the leading varieties gets its color from beets, food coloring and is then artificially flavored. I tried it but did not like the flavor at all. However, I did eventually find a winner.
In my opinion, the best prickly pear syrup for margaritas is Prickly Pear Cactus Syrup by Cheris. It is made with prickly pear cactus, sugar, lemon juice, and pectin. Of all the brands I tried, this is the one that had the best prickly pear flavor.
How to Make a Prickly Pear Margarita
Here’s how to make a prickly pear margarita. You’ll only need 4 ingredients, including a good prickly pear syrup. Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for ingredients and specific amounts.
- Add a salt rim. Run a lime wedge around the edge of your glass, then invert it onto a shallow plate that has a layer of salt on it. The lime juice will make the salt stick to the rim of your glass.
- Mix your margarita drink. Fill a cocktail shaker (affiliate link) halfway with ice. Add all of the liquid margarita ingredients and shake vigorously for 20 seconds.
- Pour and sip. Strain your pink margarita into your prepared glass. Add some ice, if desired. Garnish with a lime round or wedge, then start sipping!
More Hot Weather Drinks to Try
PrintPrickly Pear Margarita
This easy prickly pear margarita recipe comes together in minutes and is ultra-refreshing on a hot day.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 margarita
- Category: Cocktails
- Method: Cocktail Shaker
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1.5 ounces reposado tequila
- 1 ounce Cointreau
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice, from about 2 limes
- 1 ounce prickly pear syrup
- 1 lime for salting the rim and garnishing your drink
Instructions
Rim your glass. Add some salt to a small plate. Cut your lime in half, then cut that half into wedges. Run one wedge along the rim of your glass. Invert the glass into the salt to add a salt rim.
Mix your margarita. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add the tequila, Cointreau, fresh lime juice, and prickly pear syrup. Shake vigorously for 20 seconds.
Serve. Strain the margarita into your prepared glass. Add ice, if desired. I like to cut a slice from the remaining half of lime and then add it to the edge of the glass.
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