Tequila Sunrise

Transport yourself to the tropics with this Tequila Sunrise! Made with just 3 ingredients, bartending at home is so much easier than you thought. The warm gradient of grenadine to orange juice, spiked with tequila, is moments away from your hand. Time to unleash your inner mixologist!

Everyone needs a bright fruity drink in their life! Even those who are tequila purists can’t resist a sweet, eye catching drink every once in a while. When I think of a tequila cocktail, I usually gravitate towards a margarita. It was about time to switch it up and bring some bright, summery flare to my day.

This has to be the most stunning of the cocktail recipes I’ve made so far, while simultaneously being one of the easiest! If you’re not a fan of drinks that are sweet but still want to enjoy this stunning cocktail, you can halve the orange juice and substitute some soda water. This tequila sunrise recipe is customizable for any palate!

What is a tequila sunrise?

This cocktail, while originally made in the 1940s with soda water and lime juice, was modernized and quickly gained popularity in the 1970s. With the simple substitution of orange juice, this easy 3-ingredient cocktail became not only more delicious, but the gradient from deep red to light orange was that much more stunning.

Served in a tall collins glass for a perfect gradient, this is the ultimate treat-yourself fruity drink that will draw everyone’s attention and gaze.

Ingredients

Keep scrolling down to the recipe card for a list of FULL ingredient amounts and instructions or click the “Jump to Recipe” button at the top of the page!

• Tequila – Use more or less if you prefer.
• Orange juice – Any type you have handy.
• Grenadine – You can use creme de cassis or pomegranate molasses instead.
• Garnish – Maraschino cherry and a wheel of orange. You can use fresh cherries or bourbon cherries instead if you like.

How to make a tequila sunrise

1. Fill a collins glass with ice. Pour the tequila and orange juice over the ice and stir with a long spoon.
2. Pour in the grenadine and let it sink to the bottom. Once it has settled, give the drink a very gentle stir to create the sunrise effect. Garnish with the maraschino cherry and orange wheel.

If you’d like, you can mix an ounce of fresh lime juice in with the tequila and orange juice in step 1. This will give your sunrise an extra boost or tropical flare!

What type of tequila should I use?

More affordable types of tequila like silver or gold will work like a charm in this recipe. These varieties have a stronger “tequila” flavor than other types, but we all know the taste of tequila is such a wonderful combination with fruit juices.

If you’re looking for a more mild flavor, try using añejo tequila. While it’s more expensive, this variety is extremely smooth. I don’t suggest using mezcal unless you know you’d enjoy smokiness mixed with the fruity flavor of the cocktail.

How to serve a tequila sunrise

Now, since this drink has “sunrise” in the title, it’s appropriate to enjoy one right when you wake up, right? I won’t tell anyone if you don’t!

If tequila before noon isn’t your style, this drink is perfect alongside some Mexican style cuisine. Here are some of my favorites:

• Pork Carnitas
• Barbacoa
• Mexican Street Corn Salad
• Chicken Fajita Quesadillas
• Chicken Enchilada Quesadillas
• Cheesy Beef Quesadillas
• Easy Chicken Fajitas
• Pork Fajitas

Looking for more easy drinks to make from home? Try these:

• Mojito Recipe
• Dark and Stormy
• Cosmopolitan Cocktail
• Earl Grey Martini
• Piña Colada
• Aperol Spritz
• Grenadine Sunrise
• Sangria Blanco