Prickly Pear Coolers

By runwithtweezers • July 14, 2011 • 4 Comments

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Author Notes: inspired by a pre-dinner cocktail I had at a Four Coursemen dinner in Athens, GA...this cocktail is so summery, light and nice because it's flavorful while still being relatively low in alcohol. It's a gourmet wine spritzer, sort of! Prickly pear syrup is surprisingly easy to find at most liquor stores or gourmet shops. - runwithtweezers

Serves 1

1/2 ounce blood orange bitters
3/4 ounces prickly pear syrup
8 ounces cold vinho verde
1-2 sprig basil sprigs or flowers, mint sprigs, lemon thyme or lemon verbena, for garnish

Fill an oversized highball glass or stemless wine glass with 8 to 10 ice cubes.
Pour in blood orange bitters then prickly pear syrup. Top with Vinho Verde.
If you want to leave the drink slightly "layered", do not mix. Otherwise, gently stir together.
Garnish & serve immediately…although I will say this drink is delicious when it gets super chilly and sits for a minute – no need to chug it!