Prickly Pear Margaritas

Bright, bold, and bursting with desert sweetness, these Hot Pink Prickly Pear Margaritas are easy to shake up and perfect for porch sipping, taco nights, or Texas-style happy hour.

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Course: Cocktails

Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex

Keyword: backyard entertaining, Cinco de Mayo Drinks, summer cocktails

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 40

Total Time: 50

Servings:

Calories: 454kcal

Author: Jennifer Locklin

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Ingredients

For the Margarita

8 ounces silver tequila
6 ounces Cointreau
4 ounces prickly pear syrup
4 ounces fresh lime juice

For garnish

4 tablespoons turbinado sugar
4 tablespoons kosher salt
4 tablespoons simple syrup
4 lime wedges

For Prickly Pear Syrup

3 pounds ripe prickly pears
Water enough to cover fruit
3 cups granulated sugar
4 limes juiced

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Instructions

Make the Prickly Pear Syrup:

Place prickly pears in a large pot and add just enough water to almost cover them.
3 pounds ripe prickly pears
Bring to a boil, then turn off the heat and let steep, covered, for 30 minutes.
Mash the fruit with a potato masher, then press through a food mill to remove seeds.
Strain the pulp through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth (or a paper towel) to remove every tiny glochid.
Measure the strained juice and return it to the pot. Add an equal volume of sugar.
3 cups granulated sugar
Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes, then turn off the heat and let cool for 15 minutes.
Stir in lime juice (or citric acid) a little at a time until it reaches your preferred tartness.
4 limes
While still hot, pour into clean Mason jars and seal.

Prepare the Margarita Glass Rims:

In a small bowl, mix turbinado sugar and kosher salt.
4 tablespoons turbinado sugar, 4 tablespoons kosher salt
Moisten each glass rim with a lime wedge or simple syrup.
4 tablespoons simple syrup
Dip rims into the sugar–salt mixture to coat evenly.

Shake the Margaritas:

Add tequila, Cointreau, prickly pear syrup, and lime juice to an ice-filled cocktail shaker.
8 ounces silver tequila, 6 ounces Cointreau, 4 ounces prickly pear syrup, 4 ounces fresh lime juice
Cover and shake vigorously until the shaker is frosty.

Serve:

Fill each prepared glass with fresh ice.
Strain the margarita mixture over the ice.
Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy immediately.
4 lime wedges

Notes

Substitutions:
- Swap Cointreau for Triple Sec or Grand Marnier.
- Use blanco tequila if you prefer a crisper agave flavor—or reposado for a smoother finish.
- Most grocery stores and liquor stores now sell prickly pear syrup.
- Bottled lime juice works if fresh limes aren’t available.
Storage & Freezing:
- Syrup: Refrigerate for up to 2 months; freeze in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
- Prepared Margaritas: Best enjoyed fresh—do not freeze cocktails, as ice dilution and texture will suffer.
- Make-Ahead Tip: Mix the tequila–liqueur–syrup base in advance and chill. When ready to serve, shake with ice and add fresh lime juice.

Nutrition

*Nutrition information is automatically calculated based on ingredient data and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient options are provided, the first listed is used for calculation. Optional ingredients and garnishes are not included in the nutrition analysis.