Tequila Sunrise
Cocktail Recipe

WRITTEN BY: SCOTT VAN DORT

The Tequila Sunrise is a popular three-ingredient cocktail, mixing Tequila Blanco and Fresh Pressed Orange Juice, with a float of Grenadine or Pomegranate Syrup. 

One look and you’ll be mesmerized – just look at those rays of sunshine! If its layers of color don’t catch your eye, its bright, fresh and citrusy flavors most certainly will. 

Aside from the fact it looks and tastes incredible, the Tequila Sunrise is also an easy-to-make cocktail. Being that it’s a built drink means there’s no shaking or fancy bartending tools required. So, let’s get to it!

How To Make a Tequila Sunrise 

What You’ll Need

• Jigger or Measuring Instrument 
• Paring Knife
• Citrus Elbow
• Bar Spoon
• Large Mixing Bowl with a spout 
• Highball Glass

How to Mix

1. Fill a chilled Highball Glass with Ice Cubes.
2. Cut several Oranges in half with a Paring Knife, then slice and save an Orange Wheel for garnishing.
3. Squeeze the Juice from your Orange Halves using a Citrus Elbow into a Mixing Bowl, then pour the Juice into your Highball Glass.
4. Measure and pour Tequila into the Glass.
5. Use the back of a Bar Spoon to carefully pour Grenadine or Pomegranate Syrup directly into the Glass to create a sunrise effect.
6. Garnish with an Orange Wheel and a Fresh Cherry.
7. Sip and enjoy!

The History of the Tequila Sunrise 

The original Tequila Sunrise is believed to have been invented in the 1930s in Tijuana, Mexico.

Unlike today’s version, which includes Orange Juice, the original recipe featured Tequila Blanco, Fresh-Squeezed Lime Juice, Crème de Cassis (Blackcurrant Liqueur), Grenadine Syrup, and Soda Water.

Clearly, there’s a notable difference between the classic Tequila Sunrise and the more popular rendition that gained fame in the 1970s. 

The modern Tequila Sunrise emerged in June of 1972 at a popular rock n’ roll bar in Sausalito, California. It gained fame when a member of a famous English rock/pop/blues band tried it during their American tour kickoff. The singer of the band not only enjoyed the taste but also how simple it was to prepare while on the road.

By 1973, a Tequila brand started featuring the recipe on its bottles. But that’s not all, a popular American country rock group released a song named after the cocktail. 

Tips for Making the Perfect Tequila Sunrise 

Centrifugal Juicer
If you want to take your cocktails to a whole new level, then you need to use a Centrifugal Juicer to juice your fruits. A Centrifugal Juicer will give your favorite Orange Juice drinks a fluffy texture and an incredible pillowy mouthfeel.

Variations of a Tequila Sunrise 

• The original Tequila Sunrise
  The original version is said to have been created in the 1930s. Although the two have similarities, they’re also distinctly different. The original Tequila Sunrise is made with Tequila Blanco, Fresh-Squeezed Lime Juice, Crème de Cassis (Blackcurrant Liqueur), Grenadine Syrup, and Soda Water. Try it out and see which one you prefer!

• Tequila Sunrise Classic
  By swapping out Orange Juice for Lime Juice and Soda Water, and omitting the drink’s signature inverted sunrise, the Tequila Sunrise Classic may lose some visual flair but compensates with its crisp effervescence and zesty lime notes. A must-sip for the summer, check out the recipe for a Tequila Sunrise Classic.

Serving and Garnish Ideas for a Tequila Sunrise 

To create that amazing layered, sunrise effect that this drink is renowned for, we recommend serving this drink in a Highball Glass filled with Ice Cubes. 

To garnish a Tequila Sunrise, we recommend garnishing by floating a Fresh Cherry and sticking an Orange Wheel on the rim of the glass.