How to Make a Cactus Cooler Collins with Prickly Pear

The Cactus Cooler Collins is an easy, refreshing drink I’ll whip up when it hits 90 degrees in Southern California in the middle of March.

I still have prickly pear syrup in my freezer that defrosts quickly, so I can make a batch to share with the neighbors as we all sweat it out, because, naturally, none of us have central air in our homes.

This cocktail recipe has the flavors of bright pineapple, a touch of the desert from the prickly pear syrup (although we can grow them in our sub-Mediterranean climate in Long Beach, CA), and the perfect fizzy finish that makes it fun, yet familiar for those used to drinking only gin and tonics or margaritas.

I love this drink because it’s the perfect mix of tiki and desert. The prickly pear syrup brings this gorgeous pink hue (or orange in the case of my latest syrup, which I made from my neighbor’s fruits) and a subtle earthy sweetness that plays well with fresh pineapple juice (notice I said FRESH, as fresh will always be better than bottled).

I added some lime to brighten the cocktail and soda water for bubbles, so we could instantly cool down, while sitting in front of a box fan blowing at full strength.

What Makes This Collins Special

Traditional Collins drinks are classics. All you need is a spirit (liquor), citrus, sweetener, and soda water.

This version swaps regular simple syrup for prickly pear syrup, giving it an unexpected twist. The pineapple juice adds tropical notes that regular lemon juice won’t give you, so don’t skip this step unless you want a very different-tasting cocktail.

About Prickly Pear Syrup

If you’ve never worked with prickly pear before, don’t let it intimidate you, but do be careful. Those prickers are thin and hard to see but they will be stuck in your hand for weeks.

Trust me, I picked out needles for days and weeks after grabbing one by accident with my bare hand. Use thick gloves if you have them, or a towel you don’t mind getting dirty or throwing out.

Prickly pear fruit (also called cactus fruit or tunas) comes from the paddle cactus you see all over the Southwest and throughout Southern California. The fruit usually has a vibrant magenta color, but can also come in brilliant orange, and tastes like a cross between watermelon and kiwi with earthy hints.

I’m not sure how else to describe it. Until you have prickly pear, you won’t know what I mean.

You can make your own prickly pear syrup if you can find fresh fruit at your local grocery store or farmers’ market. Just simmer the fruit with equal parts sugar and water, and strain out the seeds.

I keep mine in these 8 oz glass jars in the freezer so I can make cocktails and sodas in the spring and summer, as prickly pear usually shows up in fall and winter around me.

Can’t find fresh prickly pear? You can order good-quality prickly pear syrup online or find the fruit or puree frozen in the freezer section of the supermarket.

The Perfect Glass for Your Collins

I love these tall, slender highball glasses because they show off that gorgeous pink or orange color and give you plenty of room for ice and bubbles.

If you don’t have Collins glasses, any tall glass works. I’ve even served these in vintage highball glasses and they’re just as delicious (not that glass changes the flavor, but it sure makes me feel fancy on a hot Friday night at home.

You do want to make sure you use a highball, though, as the tall shape helps the soda water stay fizzy longer, which matters, just like a champagne flute is better than a coupe for sparkling wine; it keeps the bubbles tight for longer.

The Chili Salt Rim Twist

If you want to add a weird twist, make a chili salt rim. That little kick of heat and salt plays off the sweet pineapple and tart lime.

To make it: Mix equal parts coarse salt and chili powder (use Tajín if you have it). Run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass, then dip it in the chili salt mixture.

Just make sure you only rim half the glass if you are making this cocktail for others. This way, your friends and family can choose whether they want that spicy kick or not.

Making it a Mocktail

The mocktail version is just as good as the original. Just ask my kids.

Skip the vodka, and you still get a bright, tropical refresher that works for any time of day.

The prickly pear and pineapple are the main flavors, so you don’t miss the alcohol as much as you’d think, at it’s great for kids, friends who are abstaining from alcohol, dry January, and pregnant gals who don’t want to be left out of happy hour.

Best Vodka for This Cocktail

You don’t need anything fancy. A clean, neutral vodka, like Tito’s or Smirnoff, is all you need.

If you’re making the mocktail version, Ritual Zero Proof makes a non-alcoholic vodka alternative that adds a little body without the booze.

Fresh vs. Bottled Pineapple Juice

Fresh pineapple juice is always better if you have it. If you don’t want to hassle with hand juicing, this citrus juicer works really well to get you all that fresh juice without the work.

In a pinch, good-quality bottled pineapple juice works just fine. Just make sure you’re getting 100% juice with no added sugar.

Storage Tips

Your leftover prickly pear syrup keeps for about a week in the fridge.

If I’m making a big batch, which I usually do, freeze what you don’t use right away in silicone ice cube trays. Pop out a cube or two whenever you want to make a drink, and you’re set.

I also use standard ice cube trays to save juice and syrups. Once they are frozen I pop them in a freezer-safe bag or container.

The syrup also works great in iced tea or lemonade, or drizzled over vanilla ice cream, if you’re looking for other ways to use it up.

Variations to Try

Once you’ve got the basic recipe down, play around with it.

Swap the vodka for white rum for a more tiki-style drink. Use gin instead, and the botanicals add another layer.

You can also get creative with cocktail garnishes. A pineapple wedge, dehydrated lime slices, or even a sprig of fresh mint all work.

Tools You’ll Need

If you’re building out your home bar, here’s what makes cocktail recipes like this easy:

A good bartender kit has everything you need to get started. At minimum, grab a Boston shaker, a fine-mesh strainer, and some long stir sticks.

For measuring, you can use any jigger, but I like having one with clear markings, like this one, for ¾ oz measurements since that comes up in so many drinks.

More Cocktails Using Prickly Pear Syrup

Prickly Pear Margarita – The classic way to use this syrup.
Prickly Pear Moscow Mule – Swap out the simple syrup in your regular mule for prickly pear.
Desert Bloom Vodka Soda – Keep it simple with vodka, prickly pear syrup, and soda water over ice.
Prickly Pear Lemonade – A delicious way to jazz up your lemonade. Add vodka if you want to make it boozy.
Prickly Pear Daiquiri – White rum, lime, and prickly pear syrup shaken and served up.

Check out my full collection of simple syrups and the cocktails that use them. I’ve got recommendations for all my favorite bar tools and ingredients right here.