Cactus Pear Fizz Food

FIGGY BOURBON FIZZ

Steps:

• For the fig-infused bourbon: Put the figs in a pint jar, pour over the bourbon and cover tightly. Set aside in a cool, dark place for at least 2 days and up to 7 days.
• For the fizz: Divide the fig between 2 old-fashioned glasses. To each glass, add 1 teaspoon of the maple syrup, a small squeeze of lemon juice and a couple of dashes of bitters. Muddle the ingredients until well incorporated.
• Fill the glasses with crushed ice. Pour over 1 1/2 ounces of fig-infused bourbon, then top with some ginger beer. Garnish with a lemon twist and serve.

CACTUS FRUIT COCKTAILS

Steps:

• Place the prickly pears in a blender and pulse until liquefied. Strain the juice into a small bowl (you should have about 1 cup of juice).
• Fill a large cocktail shaker with ice, add the prickly pear juice, tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and sugar and shake vigorously.
• Pour into glasses filled with ice, rimmed with salt or sugar, if you like. Garnish with lime slices.

FROZEN CACTUS PEAR MARGARITAS

Steps:

• Combine tequila, orange-flavored liqueur, cactus pear syrup, lime juice and ice in a blender and blend until smooth and frothy. Serve in rocks glass and garnish with lime.
• Cactus Pear a.k.a Prickly Pear: The pulp of these cactus fruits is a brilliant red or, occasionally, a yellowish green, and it tastes a bit like watered-down watermelon. Cooks exploit the color by adding slices of the pulp to fruit salads, or by pureeing it and straining out the seeds. They're quite popular in Hispanic countries and around the Mediterranean.

FROZEN CACTUS PEAR MARGARITAS

Steps:

• Place tequila, orange liqueur, cactus pear juice, lime juice, and ice in a blender and blend until smooth. Carefully pour a few ounces of cactus pear 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.

CACTUS SORBET

Steps:

• Wearing your rubber gloves, wash and skin pears. Be careful of the very tiny spines. Add all ingredients except mint to a blender and puree until smooth. Reduce liquid in half on medium heat. Strain and let cool.
• Note: Before freezing the puree, adjust the flavor with sugar and cranberry juice, to taste. Freeze puree in an ice cream maker and you're ready to scoop.
• Garnish with fresh mint.

CACTUS PEAR FIZZ

Steps:

• Stir together cactus pear syrup, orange and lime juice in the bottom of a glass. Add a few ice cubes and fill to the top with club soda.