When Andrea Duran, Paloma’s mixologist, said we needed a rest, we had no idea what she meant. But she explained with this Prickly Pear Margarita.

For their clear and crisp finish, unaged agave or Blanco tequilas are ideal for margaritas, which augment strong and citrusy flavor profiles. Paloma mixologist Andrea Duran offers up a classic prickly pear margarita recipe which is refreshing with a touch of acidic sweetness.

Why is Prickly Pear Purple?

We know you think of pears as green but prickly pear is a whole different thing on its own. Imagine you’re out in the desert, and the sun is beating down. You might put on a hat or sunglasses to protect yourself. Instead of this covering, the prickly pear cactus shields itself from the harsh elements by turning purple. This vibrant hue of color is like the plant’s version of sunscreen. It uses special pigments called betalains that become more prominent when the plant undergoes stress. This clever adaptation not only protects the cactus from intense sunlight but also helps it conserve water.

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