Tequila Sunrise
A tequila sunrise is a simple layered cocktail made with tequila, orange juice, and grenadine. The red syrup sinks through the juice to create that classic sunset look, with no shaking required.
- Total time
- 5 min
- Yield
- 1 cocktail
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 5mCook 0mAmericanDrinks
The tequila sunrise became a party favorite in the 1970s, but it is still a very practical drink for home entertaining. You build it right in the glass, so there is no cocktail shaker to wash.
The trick is simple: mix tequila and orange juice over ice, then slowly pour in grenadine. Grenadine is heavier than the juice, so it drops toward the bottom and creates a red-to-orange layer.
Use a clear tall glass if you have one. It shows off the color and gives the drink enough room for ice, juice, and a bright orange garnish.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
6 items · 1 cocktail
- Ice, enough to fill a highball glass
- 2 ounces blanco or reposado tequila
- 4 ounces orange juice, preferably chilled
- 1/2 ounce grenadine
- 1 orange slice, for garnish
- 1 maraschino cherry, for garnish
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Chill the ingredients
Start with cold orange juice and, if you have time, a chilled glass. A cold drink tastes fresher and the ice melts more slowly.
2. Fill the glass
Fill a highball glass with ice. A highball glass is a tall, narrow glass often used for mixed drinks.
3. Add the tequila
Pour the tequila over the ice. Blanco tequila gives a clean, bright flavor, while reposado tequila adds a softer, lightly oaky note.
4. Pour in the orange juice
Add the orange juice to the glass. Leave a little space at the top so the drink does not overflow when you add the garnish.
5. Stir the base
Gently stir the tequila and orange juice together for a few seconds. This mixes the main drink before you add the grenadine layer.
6. Add the grenadine
Slowly pour the grenadine down the inside edge of the glass or over the back of a spoon. Let it sink naturally to the bottom. Do not stir after this step.
7. Garnish and serve
Add the orange slice and maraschino cherry. Serve right away while the colors are still distinct and the drink is cold.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: Do not fully assemble tequila sunrises ahead of time because the layers will blend. You can chill the orange juice, measure the tequila, and prep garnishes a few hours in advance.
- Batch for a small group: For 6 drinks, combine 12 ounces tequila and 24 ounces orange juice in a pitcher and chill. Pour over ice in each glass, then add 1/2 ounce grenadine to each drink just before serving.
- Storage: This cocktail is best served immediately. Leftovers can be refrigerated for a few hours, but the ice will dilute the drink and the sunrise layers will disappear.
- Orange juice swap: Fresh-squeezed orange juice tastes bright and pulpy. Bottled orange juice works well too; choose one you enjoy drinking on its own.
- Grenadine swap: Real pomegranate grenadine gives a deeper flavor. Common store-bought grenadine is sweeter and more cherry-like, but it still creates the classic color.
- Tequila choice: Use a tequila labeled 100% agave if possible. Avoid very expensive sipping tequila here, since orange juice and grenadine are the main flavors too.
Cook's note
Serve alcoholic drinks only to adults of legal drinking age. For a nonalcoholic version, skip the tequila and add a splash of club soda or lemon-lime soda after the orange juice, then finish with grenadine.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Why did my tequila sunrise turn all one color?
The grenadine was likely stirred in or poured too quickly. For layers, stir only the tequila and orange juice. Then pour the grenadine slowly and leave it alone.
Can I make a tequila sunrise without grenadine?
You can use pomegranate syrup or a thick cherry syrup, but the flavor and color will change. The syrup needs to be heavier than the juice so it can sink.
What kind of tequila is best for a tequila sunrise?
Blanco tequila is the standard choice because it tastes crisp and clean. Reposado also works if you like a smoother drink with a light barrel-aged flavor.
Can I use pineapple juice instead of orange juice?
Yes, but it becomes a different cocktail. Pineapple juice makes the drink sweeter and more tropical. You can also use a mix of orange and pineapple juice.
How strong is a tequila sunrise?
With 2 ounces of 80-proof tequila and 4 ounces of orange juice, it is a moderate cocktail. The sweet juice can hide the alcohol, so sip slowly.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
1 cocktail
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat0 g
- 0%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium8 mg
- 0%
- Total Carbohydrate31 g
- 11%
- Dietary Fiber1 g
- 4%
- Total Sugars28 g
- Protein1 g
- 2%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium22 mg
- 2%
- Iron0.2 mg
- 1%
- Potassium283 mg
- 6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
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