Monday, May 28, 2007

Prickly Pear Cactus Mojito


As I had mentioned a few weeks ago, Kevin and I went to Tucson and while we were there I brought back a souvenir ingredient to try out. Here it is, we made a southwestern twist on the classic mojito. Instead of simple syrup, we used prickly pear cactus syrup! The syrup gives the drink a wonderful magenta and a mild fruity background. It's a very nice, refreshing combination, you should try it!

1 1/2 tablespoon prickly pear cactus syrup
6 to 8 spearmint leaves
juice of 1 lime (about 2 ounces)
2 ounces rum
1 to 1/2 cups cubed or crushed ice
2 ounces club soda

In a tall glass, place the mint leaves, lime juice and the cactus syrup.
Muddle the leaves for 20 seconds to release the mint oils using either a muddler or a wooden spoon.
Add the rum, and stir.
Fill the glass until 3/4 full with ice.
Top off with the club soda club soda.

Makes 1 mojito.

9 comments:

Rachel said...

that sounds amazing!

Thistlemoon said...

Wow, that looks beautiful! I love prickly pear, but I have never lived in a place long enough to learn how to use it myself. This looks like a perfect way!

Anonymous said...

awesome idea! Prickly Pear juice could be the next big health drink or something. ~ Chris

Dacia said...

That's awesome! My future brother-in-law had this same idea, now we're thinking of making it the "signature drink" for our Texan/Mexican-Cuban Miami wedding.

Natalie Wood said...

Sounds good! I'm writing from Karmiel, Galilee, Israel where the local indoor market is a cornucopia of exotic and more humdrum fruit & veg. As a vegetarian (from the U.K.) but now living in a largely meat-obssessed society I keep looking for new ways to prepare and serve our sort of food. I bought a 'prickly pear' but was unsure what to do with it - so thanks for all this. Much appreciated! - See me write at http://perfectlywriteingodsvineyard.blospot.com where very soon I'll discuss this and give you a much deserved mention! Regards, Natalie Wood

Unknown said...

The pear is useful in weight loss diets, including food, fiber maintains its fullness and cleanses the body, also have many vitamin and potassium. SO the pear is one of the fruits with more properties and is very easy to find it. Just go at supermarket and you will have varieties to shoose from.


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Unknown said...

can you bottle the syrup as gifts? Does it go bad? Thanks

Unknown said...

That red in Prickly Pear is betain, same as beets. Super nutricious. I love "tunas"

annieb said...

d uses at will I will find out more whether she boils it first before bottling , but I don't think so I have just been given a bucket of the pears from a Maltese lady who grows them She told me to cut even the leaves up use them up with the cut up pears Mix togeter does strain it thoroughly
She told me she had picked the fruit early in the morning prior to the sun rising and that means the prickles on the pears had not emerged And there are no prickles tho she said there may be the odd one. I am looking forward to drinking this She vows it would get rid of my husbands Diabeties
So Here Goes.