Cocktail recipe
Charro-Rita (Prickly Pear Margarita)
A spicy prickly pear margarita made with gold tequila, fresh citrus, Cheri's Prickly Pear Syrup, Cointreau, and chili pepper.
- 15-minute rest
- Kosher salt rim
- Chili pepper
A spicy prickly pear margarita variation
The Charro-Rita combines gold tequila, fresh lime juice, fresh orange juice, Cheri's Prickly Pear Syrup, Cointreau, and a hot chili pepper — fresh or dried, seeded and diced.
After the ingredients sit together for 15 minutes, ice is added, the mixture is shaken, and the peppers are strained out before serving.
Finish by moistening the glass rim with lime juice and dipping it in kosher salt.
Make this recipe with Cheri's Prickly Pear Cactus Syrup
This recipe uses Cheri's Prickly Pear Syrup. Get the same syrup for your own Charro-Rita.
- 1/2 oz Cheri's Prickly Pear Syrup
- 15-minute rest before ice
- Strain out the chili peppers
Why Prickly Pear Syrup Matters Here
Cheri's Prickly Pear Syrup is one of the recipe's defining ingredients alongside the chili pepper and citrus.
Using the syrup named in the recipe keeps the drink aligned with the source instructions.
For another prickly pear cocktail approach, see Cheri's Prickly Pear Cactus Margarita on this site.
Do not skip the 15-minute rest
- Combine all ingredients in a shaker before adding ice.
- Allow the mixture to sit for 15 minutes so the chili pepper can flavor the drink.
- Only after the rest: add ice, shake, and strain out the peppers.
Chili pepper
- Use 1 hot chili pepper, fresh or dried.
- Seed and dice the pepper before combining it with the other ingredients.
- Strain the peppers out after shaking so they do not remain in the finished drink.
Salt rim
- Moisten the glass rim with lime juice after straining.
- Dip the moistened rim in kosher salt before serving.
Ingredients
A short cocktail list built around gold tequila, fresh citrus, chili pepper, and Cheri's Prickly Pear Syrup.
2 oz Gold Tequila
3/4 oz fresh lime juice
1/4 oz fresh orange juice
1/2 oz Cheri's Prickly Pear Syrup
1/4 oz Cointreau
1 hot chili pepper, fresh or dried, seeded and diced
Ice
Kosher salt
Ingredients listed above follow the Charro-Rita (Prickly Pear Margarita) recipe attributed to Chef Charlotta Flores of El Charro Cafe.
This recipe uses Cheri's Prickly Pear Syrup. Get the same syrup for your own Charro-Rita. The Amazon listing linked on this page is the seller-specific product page for that syrup.
How to Make a Charro-Rita
Combine first, rest 15 minutes, then shake with ice and strain. Salt the rim just before serving.
Combine and rest
Combine the ingredients
Combine all ingredients in a shaker.
Rest for 15 minutes
Allow the ingredients to sit for 15 minutes. Do not skip this step.
Shake and strain
Add ice, shake, and strain
Add ice, shake, and strain out the peppers before serving.
Finish
Salt the rim
Moisten the glass rim with lime juice and dip in salt.
Serve
Enjoy!
Printable recipe
Charro-Rita (Prickly Pear Margarita)
A spicy prickly pear margarita made with gold tequila, fresh citrus, Cheri's Prickly Pear Syrup, Cointreau, and chili pepper.
Updated September 21, 2026 · Recipe concept: El Charro Cafe / Chef Charlotta Flores
- Rest:
- 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 oz Gold Tequila
- 3/4 oz fresh lime juice
- 1/4 oz fresh orange juice
- 1/2 oz Cheri's Prickly Pear Syrup
- 1/4 oz Cointreau
- 1 hot chili pepper, fresh or dried, seeded and diced
- Ice
- Kosher salt
Ingredients listed above follow the Charro-Rita (Prickly Pear Margarita) recipe attributed to Chef Charlotta Flores of El Charro Cafe.
Directions
Combine the ingredients
Combine all ingredients in a shaker.
Rest for 15 minutes
Allow the ingredients to sit for 15 minutes.
Add ice, shake, and strain
Add ice, shake, and strain out the peppers before serving.
Salt the rim
Moisten the glass rim with lime juice and dip in salt.
Serve
Enjoy!
Recipe notes
The 15-minute rest happens before ice is added — combine the ingredients first, then wait.
Strain out the diced chili peppers after shaking so the finished drink is smooth.
A kosher salt rim finishes the glass after the drink is strained.
Explore more ways to use prickly pear jelly in our complete guide.
About the syrup in this recipe
This Charro-Rita calls for Cheri's Prickly Pear Syrup — the same product linked on the Amazon listing below.
Cheri's Desert Harvest
Prickly Pear Cactus Syrup
Cheri's Desert Harvest
More ways to use prickly pear jelly
After muffins, try these ideas from the Prickly Pear Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Practical answers about the Charro-Rita and the prickly pear syrup it uses.
- What is a Charro-Rita?
A Charro-Rita is a prickly pear margarita made with gold tequila, fresh lime juice, fresh orange juice, Cheri's Prickly Pear Syrup, Cointreau, and a hot chili pepper. The source attributes the drink to Chef Charlotta Flores of El Charro Cafe in Tucson, Arizona.
- Why do the ingredients need to sit for 15 minutes?
The source instructions call for combining the ingredients in a shaker and allowing them to sit for 15 minutes before adding ice. After the rest, add ice, shake, and strain out the peppers.
- Should the chili peppers stay in the drink?
No. After shaking with ice, strain out the peppers before serving.
- How do you salt the rim?
Moisten the glass rim with lime juice and dip it in kosher salt.
- Where can I buy Cheri's Prickly Pear Cactus Syrup?
Cheri's Prickly Pear Cactus Syrup is available through the Amazon listing linked on this page.
Ready to mix a Charro-Rita?
Get Cheri's Prickly Pear Cactus Syrup, then explore more prickly pear recipes on the guide.