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This vibrant pink Prickly Pear Margarita is even more delicious than the green-hued classic. Store-bought prickly pear syrup yields a consistently perfect tequila co*cktail that's great for any season.
(This recipe was originally published in February 2019, but was updated with new photos and content in 2020).
Shaking up co*cktails at home is almost as fun as drinking them! It's a great way to get creative while saving a few bucks on bar prices. These bright pink prickly pear margaritas are delicious year round.
These colorful co*cktails are perfect for so many different occasions. Enjoy them on Valentine's Day or Mother's Day. Serve them on Cinco de Mayo or ANY Taco Tuesday. The pink color would also lend well to bridal and baby showers, or bachelorette parties.
Make a full pitcher when hosting game day or game night for friends. Whip them up at your next cookout. Or just shake one up after a rough day at work.
What are prickly pears?
Prickly pears, also known as cactus pears or tuna fruit, are vibrant pink fruits that grow on cacti. They taste like a cross between watermelon and bubble gum and are also sometimes described as having strawberry and raspberry qualities.
In terms of US distribution, prickly pear products (such as syrups and honeys) are commonly sold in Arizona where prickly pears thrive, and are also available online. Fresh prickly pears can be sold in supermarkets but are not always easy to find.
Using ready-made syrup makes it a cinch to incorporate prickly pear flavors without sourcing the harder to find fresh fruit.
How to make it
These hot pink prickly pear margaritas are not only delicious and refreshing, but they are absolutely gorgeous. They're also super easy to make.
Begin by prepping your glass. Wet the rim of a margarita glass or tumbler by rubbing a lime wedge around the circumference. Rotate the rim of the glass in kosher salt spread on a flat plate. Fill the glass about halfway with ice cubes, and set aside.
In a co*cktail shaker filled with ice, combine tequila, triple sec or Cointreau, freshly squeezed lime juice, and prickly pear syrup. Shake vigorously, then strain into the prepared glass. Garnish the rim with a slice of lime, and serve immediately.
You can also double the recipe to make a giant prickly pear margarita like they serve at Mexican restaurants! I've definitely done this on more than one occasion! Some days you just need a double, but beware they are pretty strong.
Please scroll to the bottom of the post for the full recipe (in a printable recipe card) including ingredient amounts and detailed instructions.
Expert tips and FAQs
Prickly pear syrup keeps for quite a while in the refrigerator after opening. Use leftover syrup for topping pancakes or waffles!
Definitely squeeze fresh lime juice rather than using bottled lime juice. It makes a huge difference in flavor and quality.
What is the best tequila for margaritas?
Like with anything else, you get what you pay for. Using a higher quality tequila will result in better tasting margaritas. You don't necessarily need to splurge for a top shelf tequila like Patron. Jose Cuervo will work just fine, but avoid cheaper, low quality tequilas if possible. Silver or blanco tequila is ideal for margaritas as it hasn't been aged as long.
More co*cktail recipes you may like
- Hibiscus Margarita (Margarita de Jamaica)
- Tamarind Margaritas
- Guava Margarita (Guavarita)
- Blueberry Lemon Drop Martini
- Beauty Elixir
- Painkiller
- HippopotoMai-Tai
- Ooh La La (A Mojito-Inspired Elderflower co*cktail)
Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can alsofollow me on social mediaonFacebook, Instagram, andPinterest!
Prickly Pear Margarita
This vibrant pink Prickly Pear Margarita is even more delicious than the green-hued classic. Store-bought prickly pear syrup yields a consistently perfect tequila co*cktail that's great for any season.
4.65 from 45 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Calories: 228kcal
Author: Victoria
Ingredients
- Kosher salt
- 1 ½ ounces tequila
- 1 ounce triple sec or Cointreau
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce prickly pear syrup
- 1 lime slice or wedge for garnish
Instructions
Wet the rim of a margarita glass or tumbler by rubbing a lime wedge around its circumference. Rotate the rim of the glass in kosher salt spread on a flat plate. Fill the glass about halfway with ice cubes.
In a co*cktail shaker filled with ice, combine tequila, triple sec, freshly squeezed lime juice, and prickly pear syrup. Shake vigorously, then strain into the prepared glass. Garnish the rim with a lime slice or wedge. Serve immediately.
Notes
- This is the prickly pear syrup I use for this recipe. It keeps for quite a while in the refrigerator after opening. Use leftover syrup for topping pancakes or waffles!
- Definitely squeeze fresh lime juice rather than using bottled lime juice. It makes a huge difference in flavor and quality.
- Like with anything else, you get what you pay for. Using a higher quality tequila will result in better tasting margaritas. You don't necessarily need to splurge for a top shelf tequila like Patron. Jose Cuervo will work just fine, but avoid cheaper, low quality tequilas if possible. Silver or blanco tequila is ideal for margaritas as it hasn't been aged as long.
Nutrition
Calories: 228kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Sodium: 1123mg | Potassium: 8mg | Sugar: 16g
*All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.*
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