The True Prickly Pear Margarita Will Be Light Pink as Above - Not Red
Although the hottest cocktail ordered right now is the Prickly Pear margarita, it’s also the toughest to find made correctly. The proper recipe calls for Prickly Pear infused tequila, but prickly pears are spiny, dangerous and can kill, plus you can’t buy them just anywhere.
In Mexico they’re known as “Opuntia”,where they’re recognized as the first domesticated plant. In Texas they’re called “Cactus Pears”. They were brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus and proved so popular they quickly became a common guest in royal gardens. Today Italy boasts over 10,000 acres of the exotic fruit which is known by Trend Setters nationwide as the “Prickly Pear.”
And with the growing popularity of the juicy red sweet fruit comes the cocktail 12,000 years in the making – The Prickly Pear Margarita – correction, THE REAL Prickly Pear Margarita.
It’s been a rocky course for the Prickly Pear Margarita. For years the correct recipe required liquor proprietors to find the expensive fruit, (in many places no easy feat), and then attempt to avoid injury peeling and soaking them in silver tequila. The infusion process was a two to three week affair ripe with checking, shaking an twice daily tasting for quality.
To get around the workload of the infusion process, some proprietors used cactus pear juice or syrup. These thick liquids weighed down the drink leaving disappointed consumers loaded and bloated with thick sugary “Psuedo Pear” Margaritas. And while some proprietors attempted to save time, others tried to save money by infusing cheap tequilas in the hopes the delicious and sweet Prickly Pear could hide the hideous burn of lousy tequila.
Enter Voodoo Tiki Tequila. Known as, “The Tequila with the Tiki in Every bottle” the ultra premium hip newcomer offers four traditional favorites (Platinum, Reposado, Anejo and an extremely limited 3 Year “Extra” Anejo) as well as a full line of “Infused Tequilas” including Desert Rose – The World’s First and Only Prickly Pear Infused Tequila.
“The Prickly Pear Margarita is the new “It” cocktail, so sales have been very brisk”, said Donna DeCunzo Taddeo Voodoo Tiki President and Chief Executive. “We rushed back up shipments to at least a half dozen distribution centers that sold out the day the tequila landed in their warehouse. One particular distributor sold out of what they thought would be a 90 day stock in an afternoon!”
The popularity led one fan of the fairer persuasion to remark, “I better be careful with this or I’ll lose my panties.” A funny but fairly innocent statement which has led to two years of “Ladies Unmentionables” showing up in the Voodoo Tiki Corporate Office mail room.
But it seems it’s more magic than the simple and delicious Prickly Pear.
Every Bottle Has One of Over 100 "Magic Words"
Although every type of Voodoo Tiki Tequila is billed as an “Ultra Premium”, the product remains solidly described by fans as being a “Party Tequila” and “Fun”. The brand has more talking points than a three ring circus. A Glass Tiki In Every Bottle, “Every Bottle Numbered – register your bottle online, Every Bottle signed . . .and what is with those “Magic Words” on the back?
“Every bottle has a magic word on the back”, explained Taddeo. “Some are common, some are uncommon, some are rare and some are totally unique literally one of a kind. The Magic Word tells you which Legendary Voodoo Tiki your tequila rested within.”
As Voodoo Tiki legend has it, magical tiki idols were smuggled out of Africa before they could be destroyed by evil forces. By chance, their keeper stopped traveling upon reaching Mexico where after his death the idols were erroneously used to make barrels to store tequila, hence Voodoo Tiki Tequila. A “biography” style presentation of the legend is viewable online at the company website (www.VoodooTiki.com).
So what could be even better than sipping the hottest cocktail in town at a swanky new hip spot featuring Voodoo Tiki Prickly Pear Margaritas? I asked the bartender what magic word was on that bottle of Desert Rose that I saw her pour from, and she informed me it was invisibility!
Yep, should be kicking in any second now. Any second.
Voodoo Tiki Prickly Pear Margarita
2 oz Voodoo Tiki Desert Rose Prickly Pear Infused Tequila
½ oz Triple Sec
3 oz Sour Mix
Dash of Grenadine
Shake well with ice and serve on the rocks or strain into martini glass (what Voodoo Tiki calls, “Martiki style”). Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge.
About Voodoo Tiki Tequila
Voodoo Tiki offers ultra-premium traditional & infused tequilas made from 100% Blue Agave. Voodoo Tiki Tequilas are sold exclusively in select restaurant, bar, nightclub and off premise locations through the company’s “Select Retailer” program. Retailers that would like to carry Voodoo Tiki Tequilas should call 1-Voodoo-Tiki (866-366-8454). Press inquiries should be directed to Press@VoodooTiki.com. Please visit our website at www.VoodooTiki.com
