Cactus Annie Recipe
Recipe information
Make Cactus Annie in just 25m. prickly pear hibiscus, lime, soda water
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Ingredients
Prickly Pear Hibiscus Syrup
Cocktail
Garnish
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. Chill glassware
If desired, chill two highball or Collins glasses in the fridge or by filling with ice briefly.
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.
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