Prickly Pear Margaritas

1 bottle of Patron (I use the lime green bottle) or you can use Sauza Hornitos tequila

1 c. Grand Marnier (You can substitute Citron or Grand Gala)

2 ripe cactus pears (aka prickly pears)***Always wear protection on your hands when handling this fruit. They are covered with very hard-to-see prickles that take forever to get out of your hands)

1 c. FRESH lime juice (+ 1/4c more if you like it tart)

Juice of 2 FRESH lemons

1/4 c. FRESH Orange Juice (*optional - but it makes the drink)

2 c. simple syrup (I dissolve 1/2 c. sugar into 1 1/2 c. water to make it less sugary) OR 1/2 c. Light Agave Nectar and 2 c. water

Water to weaken (*if you can't handle it so strong)

NOTE: Prickly pears will stain everything, so do not cut them over any surface that can stain (I speak from years of experience). I usually do it over the sink. Hold the pear in your non-dominant hand. Carefully slice off the ends. Make a slit down the length of the pear and peel away the skin from the middle section. It is about 1/4 in. thick and you will know that you have cut through the fruit far enough because it will peel easily aways from the center. Chop the peeled pears into tiny pieces and funnel them back into the bottle of tequila. Refrigerate at LEAST overnight or up to one week (must stay IN THE FRIDGE). Strain seeds from the tequila in a strainer and place the tequila in a large pitcher. Discard seeds. Add the Grand Marnier, orange juice, lemon and lime juice and simple syrup to the tequila. Stir or shake well and pour over LOTS of ice in martini glasses. Sip slowly...this one turns me into a sleeping hobo at times!

Enjoy (This drink take a little bit of time but it is worth the work. I think my recipe rivals that of The Canyon in Fort Lauderdale, where I first tried these)