Cactus Margarita

Submitted By JAY McCARTHY

9 oz white tequila
4 oz orange liqueur (Triples sec, Contreau, or Grand Marnier)
4 oz cactus pear puree
2 oz FRESH lime juice
1 1/2 cups crushed ice
Coarse salt, Kosher or margarita
Lime wedges, for garnish

Place tequila, orange liqueur, cactus pear puree, FRESH lime juice, and ice in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour a few ounces of cactus pear puree, thinned with lime juice onto a plate and a few ounces of salt onto another plate. Dip the rim of each margarita glass into the juice and then into the salt. Pour margaritas into each glass and garnish with a lime wedge.

Makes 4 drinks.

It is very important to use FRESH lime juice and not some chemically stabilized lime juice. Frozen Lime-ade is a fair substitute.

The cactus puree I use, that I helped develop, is made by Perfect Puree out of California and widely distributed. It should be easy to find.