Catcus Rose Cocktail

I have a love/hate relationship with prickly pear cactus fruit.

They're simply gorgeous when ripe- the magenta flesh's color practically bleeds through the green skin, and cute fuzzy, tan polka dots are scattered around, just begging you to pick it up, try it.

As a girl of (approximately) six years, I was so lured by the siren song of the prickly pear in a Texas grocery store, that I scooped one up. And as my mother purposefully traced her way through the produce section, I meandered along behind, tossing the little treasure gently from hand to hand. Back and forth, round and round went the little opuntia fruit. When onward toward the bread aisle we went (yes, I can picture this), I gently laid the opuntia in it's rightful bin. And began to wonder why my palms didn't feel right. They felt... injured. And, upon close examination, I discovered billions of (yes) prickles in my palm flesh. And I burst into tears.

They don't call 'em prickly pears for nothing.

I hadn't touched an opuntia for nearly thirty years until a dear friend, ex-Texan, and fellow amateur mixologist introduced me to a cocktail she'd been perfecting. I gingerly handed her the fruit and watched with amazement. And found myself enamored yet again. Thanks, dearest REP, and happy birthday!

So here I am, singing the siren song-

*Buy a prickly pear!*

*Try this out!*

*Oh, the color is simply stunning!*

(and it won't hurt you one bit, my dear)

Cactus Flower Cocktail

serves 4

2 ripe prickly pear cactus fruits (nopales or opuntia), with flowers attached, if possible

8 oz 100% agave tequila blanca
1 oz agave nectar
4 oz fresh lime juice

2 lime rounds

Peel prickly pear fruits. Reserve flowers, if possible, for garnish. If not, lime rounds will have to suffice.

Cut one fruit into 1/4" cubes. Slice 4 thin rounds off of the 2nd fruit, then cut the remainder in 1/4" dice.

Place diced fruit into a cocktail shaker. Muddle gently to release juices. Pour tequila, agave, and lime juice over the muddled fruit. Add ice. Agitate until cocktail shaker ices over or your arms give out.

Place thin rounds of opuntia (and cactus flower) into one of each of 4 chilled martini glasses. Strain cocktail into each glass. Serve immediately.

Salud!