Tequila Sunrise Cocktail

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The classic Tequila Sunrise cocktail, which consists of grenadine syrup, tequila, and orange juice, is a stunningly beautiful drink due to the distinct separation of orange juice and syrup, making it a refreshing and uniquely fruity beverage.

2 collins glasses full of orange juice, vodka, ice, grenadine syrup, and cherries

If you are looking for some unique beverages for your parties or for simply sipping on while relaxing in the comfort of your home, this old-fashioned cocktail will become a favorite. You can also use grenadine syrup in our Roy Rogers Drink and our Shirley Temple Mocktail.

🥘Ingredients

Orange Juice
Tequila
Grenadine
Ice

See recipe card for quantities.

🔪 Instructions

You will find the complete instructions in our recipe guide at the bottom of the page.

Add the ice.

Add the Tequila and orange juice.

Slowly add the grenadine.

Garnish with an orange slice and/or maraschino cherries

Top with the garnish.

🧾Substitutions

Juice – in lieu of orange juice, feel free to use pineapple juice or tropical juice.

📖Variations

Mocktail – In lieu of the tequila, add sparkling water, non-alcoholic sparkling wine, or sparking white grape juice.
Sweeter – you can use SunnyD instead of regular orange juice.

🍽 Equipment

You can use any type of glass, but a tall collins glass works the best as it creates a really lovely cocktail. Also, you will need a jigger so you can accurately measure out the ingredients.

🥫Storage

You can make this in advance, except don’t add the grenadine. Due to how easy it is to make this cocktail, it’s best to wait and make it right before you serve it.

💭Top tip

After you add the grenadine, do not stir or shake the drink or you’ll lose the gradient effect that makes this vintage cocktail so beautiful.

🔎The History Behind This Beverage

The original version of the Tequila Sunrise is believed to date back to the 1930s. It appears that Gene Sulit, who was a bartender at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, created the original.The original version contains crème de cassis, tequila, and lime juice in a Collins glass topped with club soda and garnished with a maraschino cherry and lime wheel.

Then when The Rolling Stones came to the states for their 1972 tour kickoff party, Mick Jagger tried the cocktail for the first time and became a fan. Then once his crew started ordering it all over the states while they toured, it became a hit. And if you are familiar with the band The Eagles, they recorded a song called, “Tequila Sunrise” the following year and as they say, the rest is history.

⭐FAQ

What is the difference between a Tequila Sunrise and Tequila Sunset?

The sunset uses grapefruit juice, and the sunrise uses orange juice.

Why does the grenadine go to the bottom of the drink?

Due to there being more sugar in the grenadine, it will slowly flow to the bottom of the glass, which create s beautiful drink and causes it to look like a sunrise.

How do you garnish the Tequila Sunrise?

All you do is add a maraschino cherry and an orange slice.

Can I make a Tequila Sunrise Mocktail?

Yes! You can totally make this drink non-alcoholic! In lieu of the tequila, add sparkling water, non-alcoholic sparkling wine, or sparking white grape juice.