A margarita colored fuchsia by prickly pear syrup, the juice of the cactus fruit that ripens across the Sonoran Desert. The syrup adds sweetness and a berry-melon note to lime and tequila.

Prickly pear fruit, called tunas, is foraged in the Sonoran Desert and boiled into jams, jellies and syrups, and Visit Arizona says the syrup is mixed with tequila for a twist on the margarita. The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community's O'odham Action News says the O'odham and Piipaash have gathered the fruit, I:ibhai, for generations, with the common hard fruits ripe in July and August. Sources do not name an inventor of the drink.

Where to eat Prickly pear margarita in Scottsdale

1 editor pick for Prickly pear margarita in Scottsdale, ranked by editorial score. All Scottsdale signature dishes · Prickly pear margarita across every city.

  • Rusty Spur Saloon

    Order A prickly pear margarita or a cold beer, with the live country band in the background.

    Rusty Spur Saloon on Main Street is Scottsdale's last cowboy saloon, with live country music seven days a week, prickly pear margaritas and swinging doors.

    DetailsDirections

Book food experiences in Scottsdale

Scottsdale's Original Food Tour★ 5.0 (373)

Viator · 2 to 3 h

Scottsdale's Original Food Tour

A food tour is the perfect way to explore the history and culinary scene of any city. Let Arizona Food Tours show you the way with our famous "Scottsdale's Original Fo...

fromUSD 108 Check dates

See all 257 food experiences in Scottsdale

More places near Rusty Spur Saloon

Not on this list, but close by, nearest first. Every one is in our guide with its address, hours and what to order.

Make it at home

Serves Serves 15 minEasy

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces blanco tequila
  • 1 ounce fresh lime juice
  • 1 ounce prickly pear syrup, store-bought or made by simmering equal parts prickly pear juice and sugar for 10 minutes
  • 1/2 ounce orange liqueur
  • Ice, coarse salt and a lime wheel

Method

  1. Run a lime wedge around the rim of a rocks glass and dip the rim in coarse salt.
  2. Add the tequila, lime juice, prickly pear syrup and orange liqueur to a shaker with ice.
  3. Shake hard for 12 seconds until the outside of the shaker is frosted.
  4. Strain over fresh ice in the glass and garnish with the lime wheel.

Editor tip. Taste the syrup first; a tart batch needs the full ounce, a sweet one does better with three-quarters.