The prickly pear Margarita is an excellent variation on a cocktail classic. Learn how to make a prickly pear Margarita using tequila, orange liqueur, cactus fruit syrup, and fresh lime juice.

Perfect Prickly Pear Margarita Recipe

A prickly pear Margarita is a [tequila](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-is-tequila-made) cocktail that features prickly pear syrup. This bright, hot pink syrup made from the fruit of the prickly pear cactus adds a burst of color and fruity flavor to the cocktail. Prickly pear syrup tastes like a combination of watermelon and bubble gum. Like [classic Margarita recipes](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-a-margarita), prickly pear Margarita recipes also include orange liqueur and lime juice. 

Prickly pear syrup provides a distinct flavor and eye-catching color to a Margarita. Consider this ingredient list to get the most out of this variation on the classic Margarita:

1. __Tequila__: Great cocktails need a foundation of quality liquor. To make a prickly pear Margarita, choose a nice blanco tequila, which will allow the color of the prickly pear syrup to pop. Use a good añejo (gold) tequila for something darker and more complex. Avoid using mezcal—the smoky flavor might clash with the bright fruitiness of the prickly pear.
2. __Lime__: Skip the Margarita mix. Freshly squeezed lime juice is the key to making the best Margarita. Keep extra limes on hand for garnish.
3. __Orange liqueur__: An orange-flavored triple-sec like Cointreau provides sweetness to balance the lime juice. If you don’t have Cointreau, try using Grand Marnier (an orange-flavored Cognac) or agave syrup.
4. __Prickly pear syrup__: You can find this fuschia-colored cocktail syrup online or on the shelves of some liquor stores. If you have a Latin American grocery nearby, you can purchase fresh prickly pear fruit, mash the fruit at home, and strain the juice through a strainer. Add the liquid to agave nectar or [homemade simple syrup](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-simple-syrup-for-cocktails) with equal parts sugar and water.
The prickly pear Margarita is an excellent variation on a cocktail classic. Learn how to make a prickly pear Margarita using tequila, orange liqueur, cactus fruit syrup, and fresh lime juice.

A prickly pear Margarita is a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-is-tequila-made' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-is-tequila-made","linkCopy":"tequila","category":null}'>tequila</a> cocktail that features prickly pear syrup. This bright, hot pink syrup made from the fruit of the prickly pear cactus adds a burst of color and fruity flavor to the cocktail. Prickly pear syrup tastes like a combination of watermelon and bubble gum. Like <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-a-margarita' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-a-margarita","linkCopy":"classic Margarita recipes","category":null}'>classic Margarita recipes</a>, prickly pear Margarita recipes also include orange liqueur and lime juice.

What Is a Prickly Pear Margarita? 

Prickly pear syrup provides a distinct flavor and eye-catching color to a Margarita. Consider this ingredient list to get the most out of this variation on the classic Margarita:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Tequila: Great cocktails need a foundation of quality liquor. To make a prickly pear Margarita, choose a nice blanco tequila, which will allow the color of the prickly pear syrup to pop. Use a good añejo (gold) tequila for something darker and more complex. Avoid using mezcal—the smoky flavor might clash with the bright fruitiness of the prickly pear. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Lime: Skip the Margarita mix. Freshly squeezed lime juice is the key to making the best Margarita. Keep extra limes on hand for garnish. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Orange liqueur: An orange-flavored triple-sec like Cointreau provides sweetness to balance the lime juice. If you don’t have Cointreau, try using Grand Marnier (an orange-flavored Cognac) or agave syrup. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Prickly pear syrup: You can find this fuschia-colored cocktail syrup online or on the shelves of some liquor stores. If you have a Latin American grocery nearby, you can purchase fresh prickly pear fruit, mash the fruit at home, and strain the juice through a strainer. Add the liquid to agave nectar or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-simple-syrup-for-cocktails' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-simple-syrup-for-cocktails","linkCopy":"homemade simple syrup","category":null}'>homemade simple syrup</a> with equal parts sugar and water. </li></ol>

4 Essential Prickly Pear Margarita Ingredients 

Prickly Pear Cactus Margarita Recipe 

The prickly pear Margarita is an excellent variation on a cocktail classic. Learn how to make a prickly pear Margarita using tequila, orange liqueur, cactus fruit syrup, and fresh lime juice.

The prickly pear Margarita is an excellent variation on a cocktail classic. Learn how to make a prickly pear Margarita using tequila, orange liqueur, cactus fruit syrup, and fresh lime juice.


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Perfect Prickly Pear Margarita Recipe