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Home / Recipes

Tequila Sunrise

5 minutes
4 from 4 votes
0 Comments
Jump to RecipePrint Recipe
  • 525
by: Joanna Cismaru

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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!

two glasses with tequila sunrise garnished with orange and maraschino cherries

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This cocktail, while originally made in the 1940s with soda water and lime juice, was modernized and quickly gained popularity in the 1970s.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.

side view shot of all the ingredients needing to make tequila sunrise

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.
a hand pouring tequila in a glass full with orange and ice

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!

pouring of grenadine in a glass with orange and tequila to make tequila sunrise

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.

two glasses with tequila sunrise garnished with orange and maraschino cherries

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

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two glasses with tequila sunrise garnished with orange and maraschino cherries

Tequila Sunrise

4 from 4 votes
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 5 mins
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 1
Print Pin Rate
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!

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ ounce tequila
  • 4 ounce orange juice
  • ½ ounce grenadine
  • ice to serve
  • maraschino cherry for garnish
  • orange wheel for garnish
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Fill a collins glass with ice. Pour the tequila and orange juice over the ice and stir with a long spoon.
  • 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.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1cocktailCalories: 187kcal (9%)Carbohydrates: 21g (7%)Protein: 1g (2%)Fat: 1g (2%)Saturated Fat: 1g (6%)Sodium: 5mgPotassium: 227mg (6%)Sugar: 16g (18%)Vitamin A: 227IU (5%)Vitamin C: 57mg (69%)Calcium: 12mg (1%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
Course:Cocktail
Cuisine:American
Keyword:tequila sunrise
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!
  • 525

Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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Joanna Cismaru

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I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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