Happy Hour Friday: Prickly Pear Margarita

The first time I had a prickly pear margarita (or even heard of a prickly pear) was a few years ago on a trip to Vegas.  My entourage (haha) and I were waiting in the airport for our flight home, and we parked ourselves at one of the restaurants to drink away our time of waiting.

We ordered a round of prickly pear margaritas, and Oh they were good!  :)

Skip to just a few weeks ago:  my brother-in-law came back from a turkey hunting trip in Texas with a surprise for my sister and me.  Prickly Pear Cacti!  :D

They live up to their name, as they are indeed very prickly.  But they also make beautiful flowers.

I planted mine in a flower bed next to some small agavés my niece gifted me a couple of years ago.  Now I have the beginnings of a wonderful succulent garden.  :)

So, in honor of my new cacti and because tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo, today’s drink is the Prickly Pear Margarita!

from Emeril Lagasse 

• 3 ounces tequila blanco
• 1/2-ounce Cointreau
• 1 1/2 ounces lime juice
• 2 ounces prickly pear syrup
• sauce of granulated sugar, for garnishing rim