In Scottsdale, the Sonoran Desert doesn’t just frame the view. It’s on the menu, in the glass, and even in the spa. The prickly pear cactus, with its vibrant pink fruit (known as tunas) and surprising versatility, has become an unofficial Scottsdale mascot, showing up everywhere from lemonade and cocktails to candy and candles. Here are five ways to enjoy it.
Cocktails
In Scottsdale, the margarita is the prickly pear fruit’s natural habitat, and Cien Agaves Tacos & Tequila nails this colorful libation. Their version balances silver tequila, prickly pear, lime, and triple sec for a drink that's tart and subtly sweet, with that signature pink hue. For a little desert heat with your happy hour, swap out the salt rim for tajín, a Mexican chile-lime seasoning.
Lemonade
For alcohol-free refreshers, look for prickly pear to show up in things like soda, tea and lemonade. AZ Lemonade Stand makes theirs in small batches with both prickly pear syrup and purée to deliver that subtle floral sweetness. Their signature Mason jars pop up in stores and restaurants across the Valley, like BBQ hotspot The Thumb, where it’s the perfect counterpoint to a rack of smoky ribs.
Snacks & Treats
For edible souvenirs, head to Sphinx Date Co. Palm & Pantry, a 70-plus-year Scottsdale institution specializing in Arizona-sourced gifts and specialty foods. Beyond their famous dates lies an impressive prickly pear arsenal of candy, popcorn, jams, syrups, salsa, BBQ sauce, and more. It’s true Sonoran Desert flavor, conveniently packaged for your kitchen – or suitcase.
Indulgences
Prickly pear isn’t just for eating and drinking – it’s for pampering, too. At Palo Verde Spa & Apothecary at the Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows, the Prickly Pear Wrap delivers 90 minutes of cactus-powered hydration including a prickly pear seed body scrub that leaves skin soft and glowing. Can’t fit in a treatment? Stop into The Mercantile while you’re strolling the shops in Old Town for Madeline Harn’s Naked Fig Soaps. Her Arizona Collection includes Prickly Pear Sorbet, a hand-poured, vegan butter bar embossed with a cactus stamp and scented with citrus and floral notes.
Candles
At Candle Chemistry in Scottsdale Quarter, the "Our Desert" line captures the Sonoran desert’s unique fragrances in natural soy wax and essential oils. Inspired by Arizona’s iconic cactus, their Prickly Pear candle captures its essence by blending fresh botanicals with dusty amber for desert aromatherapy without the thorns.
