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A Tequila Sunrise is a classic cocktail that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Made with tequila, orange juice, and grenadine, it’s a refreshing and vibrant drink perfect for any occasion. Here’s how to make one just for you!
Looking for delicious single serving cocktails? Check out our refreshing Moscow Mule, vibrant Aperol Spritz, light Skinny Margarita, minty Mint Julep, and icy Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The Perfect Balance of Tart and Sweet: While the Tequila Sunrise is usually a sweet cocktail, I like to add a splash of lime juice to balance the sweetness. This little twist makes the drink exceptional!
- Easy to Make Extra: This Tequila Sunrise recipe is simple to double or triple if you want to make more. It’s perfect for gatherings!
- Adjust the Strength to Your Liking: You have complete control over the amount of alcohol in this recipe. Make it as strong or as mild as you prefer.
- No Fancy Bar Equipment Needed: You don’t need a shaker or a blender to make this easy Tequila Sunrise. It’s simple and straightforward, perfect for any occasion.
What Is A Tequila Sunrise?
The Tequila Sunrise is a famous cocktail with a rock ‘n’ roll history. In Sausalito, a city north of San Francisco, bartenders Bobby Lozoff and Billy Rice created this drink and served it to Mick Jagger, the lead singer of The Rolling Stones. Mick loved it so much that he ordered more for his bandmates, who then shared it with their entourage. Soon, the Tequila Sunrise became the Stones’ favorite drink on tour, spreading its popularity across the country.
A Tequila Sunrise is made with tequila, orange juice, triple sec, and a splash of lime juice for balance. The “sunrise” effect happens naturally when grenadine is added to the glass first. This thick, non-alcoholic syrup balances the tartness of the orange juice. As it sinks to the bottom, it slowly rises, creating the beautiful sunrise look.
The key to achieving the sunrise effect is not to stir the drink after adding the grenadine. This way, you’ll get that iconic, beautiful sunrise appearance in your glass.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this Tequila Sunrise recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Tequila: Use your favorite type—Silver, Reposado, or Añejo. I prefer using 100% blue agave for the best flavor.
- Triple Sec: This orange liqueur adds fruity, sweet, and bitter notes. Any orange liqueur will work, but remember, they vary in sweetness. Triple sec is on the sweeter side. If you find it too sweet, try orange curaçao for a more bitter taste. The beauty of making your own cocktails is that you can start with the standard recipe and tweak it to your liking.
- Lime Juice: A fantastic addition! The tartness of lime juice balances the drink’s sweetness perfectly.
- Orange Juice: An essential ingredient for a Tequila Sunrise.
- Grenadine: This thick, non-alcoholic syrup sinks to the bottom of the glass, creating the “sunrise” effect in the cocktail.
How To Make A Tequila Sunrise
Check the recipe box below for exact ingredient amounts and full instructions.
Making a Tequila Sunrise is simple, but to get that beautiful “sunrise” look, follow these steps:
- Mix Ingredients: In a separate container, combine tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and orange juice.
Pro Tip: It’s best to mix ingredients in a separate container to ensure they blend well. Mixing directly in the drinking glass can mess up the appearance and garnishes.
- Prepare the Glass: Fill a glass with ice and pour in the grenadine. The grenadine will sink to the bottom, creating the “sunrise” effect.
- Combine: Slowly pour the tequila and orange juice mixture into the glass with grenadine.
- Enjoy: Your Tequila Sunrise is ready to be enjoyed!
Expert Tips
- If the Tequila Sunrise is too sweet for your taste, add a bit more lime juice to balance it out.
- Try different types of tequila to see how each one changes the flavor of the cocktail.
- Avoid stirring the cocktail after adding the grenadine to maintain the “sunrise” effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
This refreshing cocktail has a bright, citrusy taste. The sweetness of the grenadine combines with tangy orange juice to make a fruity cocktail
To make a tequila sunrise without alcohol:
Mix together 2 ounces of orange juice and 2 ounces of pineapple (or mango juice) in a glass. Fill a separate tall glass with ice and pour in 1/2 ounce of grenadine. Pour the juice mixture into the glass and enjoy!
Just like the sun rises, the sun will also set and a variation of the tequila sunrise is the tequila sunset. Here’s how I make a tequila sunset:
Mix together 1 ounce of tequila and 4 ounces of orange juice in a small glass.
Fill a separate tall glass with ice and pour in 1/2 ounce of blackberry brandy.
Pour in the tequila and orange juice mixture and enjoy!
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
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Tequila Sunrise For One
Watch How To Make This
Equipment
- Tall glass
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces tequila
- ¾ ounce triple sec
- ½ ounce lime juice
- 2 ½ ounces orange juice
- ice
- ½ ounce grenadine
- Optional: Maraschino cherries for garnish
Instructions
- Mix together tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and orange juice in a glass.
- Fill a different glass with ice and pour in the grenadine.
- Pour in the tequila and orange juice mixture.Do not stir and enjoy!
Notes
- If the Tequila Sunrise is too sweet for your taste, add a bit more lime juice to balance it out.
- Try different types of tequila to see how each one changes the flavor of the cocktail.
- Avoid stirring the cocktail after adding the grenadine to maintain the “sunrise” effect.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Good recipe.