On the Sauce: Perfect (Prickly) Pear

If you're someone who likes to explore the Bay area's thriving cocktail scene, you might've noticed a one-of-a-kind spirit on drink menus here and there. The booze I speak of is prickly pear vodka.

Loyal "Saucers" know that I tend to preach the use of fresh, in-season ingredients for cocktails — and infused liquor. Quality ingredients tend to yield quality results, but if you know where I can find prickly pear (which, unbeknownst to me up until recently, isn't actually a type of pear — it's cactus fruit) to infuse vodka with at home, I'm all ears. Lucky for us, there's a Texas distillery putting out a tasty product that handles the hard part for us.

Western Son Distillery makes a wonderful, well-balanced prickly pear vodka with an eye-catching label and hue. Over the weekend, I was fortunate enough to find the pink-colored vodka at my local ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, where there was a promotion going on that included a free four-pack of Fever Tree Ginger Beer. I say that because the combo of Western Son Prickly Pear and ginger beer makes for a really good drink. But I have a two-ingredient combo that's even better; the only challenge with this week's cocktail is trying not to drink like a college kid at a party.

Cawston Press Elderflower Lemonade is what we need to elevate our recipe to keeper status. I've been sitting on a six-pack of the stuff for months (after snagging some at Total Wine & More), waiting for the perfect time to unleash this amazing canned mixer to the world. Paired with prickly pear vodka, the lemonade — which is blended with sparkling water — creates a distinct flavor you won't soon forget.

I even threw in a sprig of charred rosemary to incorporate a touch of fall. The garnish adds an awesome aroma that tickles your senses more than any ordinary drink.

All that said, the following cocktail is perfect for right now. It doesn't need a special occasion, or a certain temperature outside — just make it, throw your feet up and enjoy.

Perfect (Prickly) Pear

Makes 1

2 ounces Western Son Prickly Pear Flavored Vodka

4-5 ounces Cawston Press Elderflower Lemonade

1 lemon or lime wedge

1 sprig charred rosemary, for garnish

In a rocks glass filled with ice, add vodka and top with lemonade. Squeeze in lemon or lime, then gently stir. Garnish with charred rosemary. (Here's how to pull off the garnish: Turn stovetop burner to high. Once burner is screaming hot, place rosemary on top until sprig begins to smoke. Carefully turn sprig over to char its backside. Remove from heat.)

Connect with CL columnist Chris Fasick on Twitter, or email him at cdfasick@gmail.com if there's a cocktail or recipe you'd like featured.

This article appears in Nov 23-30, 2017.