Was this page helpful?
Help improve this recipe for others.
Send this recipe to your inbox.
We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.
Ingredients
Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Prickly Pear Hibiscus Syrup
Cocktail
Garnish
Method
Prickly Pear Hibiscus Syrup
- 1
Prepare prickly pear pulp (if using fresh)
Wear gloves or handle carefully to avoid spines. Cut prickly pears lengthwise, scoop out the pulp, and place in a blender. Puree until smooth. Strain the puree through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing with a spatula to extract as much juice and pulp as possible. You should end up with about 1 cup of pulp. If using store-bought or thawed frozen pulp, skip to the next step.
- 2
Make the hibiscus syrup
Combine 1 cup water, 1 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup dried hibiscus in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves and bring to a gentle simmer. Simmer for 3–5 minutes so the hibiscus infuses and the liquid deepens in color.
- 3
Add prickly pear
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the 1 cup prickly pear pulp. Return to very low heat and warm for 1–2 minutes to meld flavors — do not boil vigorously. Remove from heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature (about 10–15 minutes).
- 4
Strain and store
Strain the cooled syrup through a fine mesh sieve to remove seeds and hibiscus bits, pressing to extract liquid. Transfer to a clean jar and refrigerate. The syrup will keep for up to 7 days refrigerated. Yield from this recipe is approximately 2 cups; you will use 1/2 cup for the cocktail portion below.
Cocktail
- 5
- 6
Measure and combine
Divide 1/2 cup (120 ml) prickly pear hibiscus syrup evenly between two glasses (about 1/4 cup / 60 ml per glass). Add 1/4 cup (60 ml) fresh lime juice total (about 1/8 cup / 30 ml per glass).
- 7
Add ice and soda
Fill each glass with ice (about 1 cup ice per glass). Top each glass with soda water so the total soda used is 1.5 cups between the two glasses (about 3/4 cup / 6 oz per glass). Stir gently once to combine syrup, lime and soda without flattening the carbonation.
- 8
Taste and adjust
Taste each drink and adjust to preference: add a splash more soda for a lighter drink, more syrup for sweetness, or an extra squeeze of lime for brightness.
Garnish
- 9
Finish and serve
Garnish each glass with a lime wheel on the rim or floated on top. Serve immediately while soda is fizzy.
