Vodka Sunrise

The Vodka Sunrise is a twist on the classic Tequila Sunrise cocktail, which uses vodka as the base spirit instead of tequila. Just like the original, the Vodka Sunrise is a built drink served in a highball glass. It combines vodka with orange juice and is topped with grenadine (pomegranate syrup) to create a stunning layered, sunrise effect.

The Vodka Sunrise is sweet, tangy and citrusy. Where the original Tequila Sunrise has sweet, earthy agave notes of tequila, the vodka in a Vodka Sunrise makes for a smoother drink, playing more neutral role. The sweet and slightly tart grenadine (pomegranate syrup) is in focus, resting on top of the the tangy orange juice.

The Vodka Sunrise is said to have been created as a variation of the Tequila Sunrise in the United States sometime during the 1970s where the popularity of vodka soared. The Vodka Sunrise peaked in the 1980s.

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

• Make your own pomegranate juice
  The commercial grenadine you find in stores is often bright red (read: neon) and overly sweet syrup made from high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavor. Homemade grenadine is made from pomegranate juice and sugar and is a lot more complex in flavor. Watch this video to see how to make your own grenadine syrup.
• Make your own orange juice
  Forget the store-bought stuff, freshly squeezed orange juice will make your cocktails tastier and more nuanced. All you need is a citrus press or a citrus elbow. However, if you want to take your orange juice to the next level, buy a centrifugal juicer. A centrifugal juicer will give you juice that has an almost “fluffy” or “pillowy” texture. Check out this article where we explain how to get the more juice from your fruits.

• Create that sunrise effect
  After adding your vodka and orange juice, finish by adding the grenadine. Use the back of a bar spoon to carefully pour the grenadine syrup, and watch as it sinks to the bottom, instantly creating a stunning orange and red layered effect that resembles a sunrise.

• Tequila Sunrise
  The Vodka Sunrise is, of course, a variation of the Tequila Sunrise, so it’s only fair to highlight the original. While both drinks are similar, tequila brings a distinct earthy, agave flavor that contrasts with the smooth, neutral base that vodka offers. Check out the recipe for a Tequila Sunrise.
• Raspberry Vodka Sunrise
  This twist on a Vodka Sunrise swaps unflavored vodka for raspberry-flavored vodka.  What does it taste? Let’s ask Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador. “The raspberry vodka from Absolut works fantastically with the orange juice and that nice little sweet pomegranate essence you get it’s like a little hint in the background – you know it’s there, it just makes this a very nice rounded drink.” Check out the recipe for a Raspberry Vodka Sunrise.
• Tropical Vodka Sunrise
  Follow the drink recipe on this page but simply replace the orange juice with pineapple juice for a sweeter, tropical-tasting Vodka Sunrise.

• With mandarin-flavored vodka
  Accentuate the citrus flavors of your Vodka Sunrise by using Absolut Mandrin, our mandarin-flavored vodka instead of original Absolut Vodka. The rich, mature notes of mandarin work incredibly well with the orange juice and grenadine. Simply follow the recipe on this page but swap the vodka.

• We recommend serving the Vodka Sunrise in a highball glass or collins glass filled with ice cubes to show off that amazing vertically layered, sunrise effect.

• As mentioned in the ‘Tips’ section above, always add the grenadine last, then watch it float to the bottom and create the beautiful and distinct sunrise.
• To garnish your Vodka Sunrise, we recommend a fresh cherry and an orange half-moon on the rim of the glass.

• If you want a more luxurious garnish, garnish with a maraschino cherry, which adds both both cherry and marzipan flavors to your drink.
• Another excellent way to garnish your Vodka Sunrise is by adding a dehydrated orange wheel.