Margarita with Nopal Syrup

Ingredients:

Nopal Syrup:

• 2 pads of Opuntia Ficus Indica (spines removed), diced
• 2 cups of water
• ½ cup of sugar
• Juice of 3 limes

Margarita:

• 1 oz of Nopal syrup
• 2 oz of white Tequila
• 1 oz of Cointreau

Steps:

Nopal Syrup:

1. In a saucepan, combine the Nopal pads, water, and sugar. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer until the sugar is fully dissolved.
2. Remove from heat and let cool for one hour.
3. Strain the syrup (keep the Nopal pieces to garnish your margarita if you like), stir in the lime juice, and use the syrup to prepare your margaritas.

Margarita:

1. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the Nopal syrup, Tequila, and Cointreau. Shake until well chilled, then pour into a salt-rimmed glass filled with ice. Garnish with diced Nopal.

Note:

The Nopal syrup can be made ahead and kept for up to one week in the refrigerator.