Name: Prickly Pear Margarita recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 4 oz. Silver Tequila; 2 oz. triple sec or Cointreau; 1 oz. lime juice; 2 oz. prickly pear syrup; for garnish, lime and sea salt

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5 from 4 reviews

Prickly Pear Margarita is an easy twist on the classic. The agave-based drink gets yet another cactus ingredient with homemade prickly pear syrup, and it’s delicious! Learn how to make this fruity margarita on the rocks, a frozen margarita, and a big batch pitcher of this tasty warm-weather drink.

A rock glass with prickly pear margarita and a hand putting a lime on the glass. Recipe at Spoonabilities.com — *Recipe post may have affiliate links; read our* *disclosure policy*. *Photographs ©Carlos Leo, Spoonabilities*

Hello my friends. Just when I thought I knew the margarita well, this most famous tequila-based drink found yet another new way to surprise me. Today we pay homage to the agave spirit, this time with the fruit of a cactus. Prickly pears are these exotic, spiny fruits that look like something you don’t want to grab with your bare hands, and you really shouldn’t unless you know what you’re doing!

The fruit’s thorny personality might make it look a bit hostile, but that’s no reason we shouldn’t add it to our cooking repertoire, particularly in the mixed drink department. Yes, prickly pears are unlike any other fruit, but they’re delicious. And once I distilled their flavor as an easy-to-make prickly pear syrup, a world of possibilities opened, including making these prickly pear margaritas.

Watch How to Make a Prickly Pear Margarita Video

What goes into a Prickly Pear Margarita?

This might be a unfamiliar version of the Mexican classic, but it’s still very much a margarita, so you’ll need tequila.

I’ve been asked, what is the best tequila for margaritas? I’ve realized the best Tequila is Blanco or white tequila since there’s no place for oaky scents in such summery drinks. Instead, you want that agave aftertaste permeating your cocktail. Then, you want a tequila that’s not overly expensive, but not cheap either. As long as it’s made 100% with agave, you’ll be just fine.

A hand pouring Tequila blanco to a glass mixing glass.

Then you need orange liqueur (aka triple sec), and for this one, my favorite is the French Cointreau; it’s not only deliciously citrusy but also boozier than most other alternatives, just saying.

Of course, you’ll also need freshly squeezed lime juice, sea salt for the rim of the glass, and today’s secret ingredient: prickly pear simple syrup. And the cool thing about this syrup is that it’s straightforward; just prickly pears, sugar, water, and a splash of lime juice. Check the prickly pear syrup recipe and watch the video on how to cut the prickly pear cactus fruit correctly so you don't hurt your fingers.

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How to make Prickly Pear Frozen Margaritas?

Making frozen margaritas doesn't get any simpler than this... just throw all the ingredients as per the recipe card in the blender with ice and as easy as that you have a frozen margarita in seconds.

A hand holding a coupe glass with a frozen margarita flavored with prickly pear syrup. Recipe at Spoonabilities.com

Should you make a Round of Margaritas or a Whole Pitcher?

Let me know if this sounds like you. You put together an inventive cocktail or learn a new recipe online and have some friends over for a round of drinks. All is fun and games until you tire of playing the bartender role. Well, that’s when you make a pitcher.

And don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing like making individual cocktails in a cocktail shaker; you can’t beat that. But making a pitcher will save you some trouble, and it’s a better alternative for when you’re entertaining a large thirsty crowd.

A rock glass on a wicker coaster with a prickly pear margarita. In the background a bottle with the prickly pear syrup and prickly pear cactus fruit. Recipe at Spoonabilities.com

Below, you’ll find out how to make a par of prickly pear margaritas, and how to make a pitcher in minutes. Not all cocktails are pitcher material, though. I wouldn’t make a pitcher of martinis, but the margarita is noble like that; it’s meant to be shared in large volumes!

I hope you get a chance to make this Prickly Pear Margarita. Did you make this or another recipe? Tag @Spoonabilities on Instagram or add a photo or comment on Pinterest, so we can find you!

And we love to hear from you in the comment section below.

Carlos Leo
Your Recipe Concierge!

Prickly Pear Margarita recipe

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5 from 4 reviews

Author: Carlos Leo
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Make a prickly pear margarita with the classic ingredients of Tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice, along with a very special homemade prickly pear syrup.

Ingredients

Units Scale

4 oz. Silver Tequila
2 oz. triple sec or Cointreau
1 oz. lime juice
2 oz. prickly pear syrup
for garnish, lime and sea salt

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Instructions

Prepare glasses by rubbing a lime wedge around the edge of your glass. Dip in sea salt to coat, and fill with ice.
Add tequila, Cointreau, freshly squeezed lime juice, and prickly pear syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake for 30 seconds.
Strain into your prepared margarita glasses.
Garnish with a lime slice and serve.