Marry This Prickly Pear Margaritas recipe is an easy and refreshing recipe, which is made with prickly pear syrup and silver tequila. It’s the perfect pitcher cocktail for a party, ready in just 10 minutes plus chilling time.
Jump to RecipePrickly Pear Margaritas Recipe Ingredients
- 2 cups silver tequila
- 1 1/2 cups fresh lime juice (from about 12 limes), plus slices for garnish
- 1 1/2 cups triple sec
- 1/2 cup prickly pear syrup
- Kosher salt, for the glasses
How To Make Prickly Pear Margaritas
- Mix the Margarita: In a large glass pitcher, stir together the tequila, fresh lime juice, triple sec, and prickly pear syrup until well combined.
- Chill the Pitcher: Cover the pitcher and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours, or until it is very cold.
- Prepare the Glasses: When you are ready to serve, spread a thin layer of kosher salt on a small plate. Rub the rim of each serving glass with a lime slice to moisten it.
- Salt the Rims: Dip the moistened rim of each glass into the salt, rotating to get an even coating.
- Serve Over Ice: Fill the prepared glasses with ice. Pour the chilled margarita mixture into the glasses, garnish each with a fresh lime slice, and serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- What is prickly pear syrup? It’s a sweet, vibrant magenta-colored syrup made from the fruit of the prickly pear cactus. It has a unique fruity flavor that’s often described as a mix between bubblegum and watermelon.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, and you should! This is a perfect make-ahead party drink. The recipe requires at least 4 hours of chilling time for the flavors to meld and for the drink to get perfectly cold.
- Can I make just one margarita? Absolutely. For a single serving, combine 2 oz silver tequila, 1.5 oz fresh lime juice, 1.5 oz triple sec, and 0.5 oz prickly pear syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a salt-rimmed glass with fresh ice.
- How do you get a perfect salt rim? Use a fresh, juicy lime wedge to ensure the entire rim is evenly moistened. When dipping the glass in the salt, hold the glass by the stem or base and gently rotate the rim in the salt, rather than grinding it down.
What To Serve With Prickly Pear Margaritas
This vibrant, fruity cocktail is the perfect centerpiece for a party or gathering. It pairs wonderfully with classic Tex-Mex and Southwestern appetizers like:
- Chips with fresh salsa, guacamole, or queso dip
- Shrimp Ceviche
- Mini chicken or black bean quesadillas
- Fresh jicama sticks with a chili-lime seasoning
How To Store Prickly Pear Margaritas
- Refrigerate: The mixed margarita batch can be stored in a covered, non-metallic pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The fresh lime juice will have the best, brightest flavor within the first 24 hours.
Prickly Pear Margarita Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1 margarita
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 0g
- Sugar: 22g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Yes. Silver (or blanco) tequila is used for its clean, crisp flavor that lets the prickly pear shine. You could also use a reposado tequila, which will add a slight complexity and notes of oak and vanilla from its time spent aging in barrels.
No, they are different. Prickly pear syrup is a non-alcoholic, sweet syrup used as a mixer. Prickly pear liqueur is an alcoholic spirit. This recipe calls for the non-alcoholic syrup.
Yes, this recipe works great for frozen margaritas. Simply add the chilled margarita mixture to a blender with about 4-6 cups of ice and blend until you reach a smooth, slushy consistency.
Try More Recipes:
- Spiced Pear Upside Down Cake Recipe
- Pear Crisp With Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
- Pear and Blue Cheese Crostini Recipe
Prickly Pear Margaritas Recipe
Course: DrinksCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy8
servings10
minutes280
kcalA vibrant and refreshing big-batch margarita featuring the sweet, fruity flavor of prickly pear, perfect for parties and gatherings.
Ingredients
2 cups silver tequila
1 1/2 cups fresh lime juice
1 1/2 cups triple sec
1/2 cup prickly pear syrup
Kosher salt, for rims
Limes, for garnish
Directions
- In a large glass pitcher, stir together the tequila, fresh lime juice, triple sec, and prickly pear syrup.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
- When ready to serve, run a lime wedge around the rims of 8 glasses and dip them in kosher salt.
- Fill the glasses with ice and pour the chilled margarita mixture into them.
- Garnish with a fresh lime slice and serve immediately.
Notes
- Using freshly squeezed lime juice is absolutely essential for the best, brightest flavor; do not use bottled lime juice.
- This recipe is designed to be made ahead, which is perfect for parties. The minimum 4-hour chill time allows the flavors to meld perfectly.
- For the best results, use a glass or ceramic pitcher. Storing citrus-based cocktails in a metal pitcher can sometimes impart a metallic taste.
- Taste the mixture before serving. If you prefer it a bit sweeter, you can add another splash of prickly pear syrup; if you prefer it tarter, add a bit more lime juice.
