• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

One Dish Kitchen logo

  • Recipes
  • Articles
  • Store
  • About
  • FAQ
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Articles
  • Store
  • About
  • FAQ
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Articles
  • Store
  • About
  • FAQ
×

Home » Recipes » Drinks

By Joanie Zisk Published: Jul 6, 2022 · Updated: Jul 7, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links · Please read my disclosure

Tequila Sunrise

Jump to Recipe

A refreshingly sweet tequila sunrise cocktail that's easy to make and so pretty too. The colorful layers resemble a beautiful sunrise.

a tequila sunrise cocktail on a wooden table next to a bowl of cherries and a lime

We've been working on all kinds of delicious cocktail recipes lately and this easy tequila sunrise recipe is one of our newest favorites.

What Is A Tequila Sunrise?

Tequila sunrise is a cocktail made with tequila, orange juice, triple sec, and a touch of lime juice to balance out the flavors.

You don't need any special skills to create the "sunrise" effect. It happens naturally. Grenadine is added to the glass first and this thick, non-alcoholic syrup helps to balance out the tartness of the orange juice. When added to the glass, the grenadine sinks to the bottom and slowly rises up like a sunrise.

The key is not to stir the drink or you won't have the look of a sunrise.

Why This Recipe Works

  • Tequila sunrise is an iconic cocktail: In Sausalito, a city north of San Francisco, bartenders Bobby Lozoff and Billy Rice, made this drink and served it to Mick Jagger, the lead singer of The Rolling Stones. He enjoyed it so much that he ordered these drinks for his fellow bandmates, who ordered more for their entourage. Soon the tequila sunrise became the Stones' go-to drink while on tour, spreading the cocktail nationwide as they ordered the Tequila cocktail in every town they came across.
  • The perfect balance of tart and sweet: Although tequila sunrise is typically a sweet drink, I add a splash of lime juice to counter its sweetness. This, in my opinion, makes this drink exceptional!
  • Easy to make extra: This easy tequila sunrise recipe doubles or triples well if you'd like to make more.
  • Make it as strong (or not) as you like it: You control the amount of alcohol in this recipe.
  • No fancy bar equipment is needed: You don't need a shaker or a blender to make this simple tequila sunrise recipe.
cooking for one subscription ad

Tequila Sunrise Ingredients

ingredients in a tequila sunrise cocktail on a wooden cutting board in a kitchen

Ingredient Notes

  • Tequila: Use the kind of tequila you enjoy; Silver, Reposado, Añedo - preferably 100% blue agave.
  • Triple sec: This ingredient is an orange liqueur that provides fruity flavors with sweet and bitter notes. Personally, I think any orange liqueur will work. Keep in mind that some orange liqueurs are sweeter or more bitter than others. Triple sec is on the sweeter end. If you feel it's too sweet, try orange curaço instead! It's more bitter. That's the beauty of making your own cocktails. You can start with the standard recipe and tweak it to your specific taste.
  • Lime juice: A great addition! The tart lime juice balances out the sweetness of the drink.
  • Orange juice: A key ingredient in a tequila sunrise.
  • Grenadine: This is a thick non-alcoholic syrup that is heavy and sinks to the bottom of the glass. Grenadine is what contributes to the look of a "sunrise" in this cocktail.

See below for ways to use leftover ingredients.

How To Make A Tequila Sunrise

See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

The tequila sunrise is an incredibly easy cocktail to make, but it needs to be made in a specific way to create the "sunrise" look.

  1. Mix together tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and orange juice in a glass.

Pro Tip: In just about all cocktail recipes, it is best to mix the ingredients in a separate container, then pour them into the drinking glass. This makes sure all of the ingredients are mixed well. Also, if you mix directly in your drinking glass instead of a separate container, you could mess up the appearance of, or garnishes on, your drinking glass.

  1. Fill a different glass with ice and pour in the grenadine.
  2. Pour in the tequila and orange juice mixture.
  3. Enjoy!
a tequila sunrise topped with maraschino cherries next to a pitcher of orange juice

Expert Tips

  • If you find the tequila sunrise too sweet for you, try adding extra lime juice.
  • Experiment with different tequilas. Each one will give you a slightly different outcome.
  • Do not stir the cocktail.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does A Tequila Sunrise Taste Like?

This refreshing cocktail has a bright, citrusy taste. The sweetness of the grenadine combines with tangy orange juice to make a fruity cocktail

Can I Make A Virgin Tequila Sunrise?

Absolutely! Here's how I 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 ½ ounce of grenadine. Pour the juice mixture into the glass and enjoy!

What Is A Tequila Sunset?

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 ½ 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 easy tequila sunrise recipe, you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:

  • Orange juice: Cranberry Jam, Orange Oat Cake, Mini King Cake, Baked Chicken Wings
  • Lime juice: Guacamole, Pickled Onions, Mexican Corn Dip, Shrimp Tacos
  • Tequila: Margarita, Ranch Water
    • Also consider other juices to mix with tequila. 3 parts grapefruit juice and 2 parts tequila with a splash of seltzer or club soda makes a refreshing drink (sometimes called a Paloma).
    • Another option is to mix ½ ounce of agave syrup for every 2 ounces of tequila and feel free to add in other fruit juices or a squeeze of lime.
    • Orange juice and tequila pair very well together. A tall glass of juice with 2 ounces of tequila makes a delicious drink.
  • Triple sec: Strawberry Daiquiri

If you would like additional information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page. For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.

If you’ve tried this recipe for tequila sunrise or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.

If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!

a tequila sunrise cocktail on a wooden table next to a bowl of cherries and a lime

Tequila Sunrise

A refreshingly sweet tequila sunrise cocktail that's easy to make and so pretty too. The colorful layers resemble a beautiful sunrise.
No ratings yet
Print Pin Rate
See the post above for expert tips,
FAQs and ways to use leftover ingredients.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Course: Beverage
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1 serving
Calories: 236kcal
Author: Joanie Zisk

Video

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
US Customary - Metric

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

Expert Tips
  • If you find the tequila sunrise too sweet for you, try adding extra lime juice.
  • Experiment with different tequilas. Each one will give you a slightly different outcome.
  • Do not stir the cocktail.
Nutrition Facts
Tequila Sunrise
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 236 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Sodium 7mg0%
Potassium 170mg5%
Carbohydrates 25g8%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 20g22%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 149IU3%
Vitamin C 40mg48%
Calcium 11mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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.

Receive Our Latest Single Serving Recipes!Sign Up for the weekly One Dish Kitchen Newsletter!!
« Mini Flourless Chocolate Cake
Mini Smoked Salmon Platter »

About Joanie Zisk

Joanie Zisk is the creator of OneDishKitchen.com, the number one go-to site for single serving recipes. The aim of One Dish Kitchen is to inspire individuals with access to single serving recipes that will enable them to enjoy the preparation of a meal that will nourish both body and soul. Her website is filled with hundreds of easy, flavorful recipes that are tailored for those cooking for one. Joanie is the author of "The Ultimate Cooking For One Cookbook" and her recipes and food photography have been featured in various publications including, TODAY.com, Huffington Post, Real Simple, Self.com,Women’s Day, Buzzfeed, and others. Come say hello and follow Joanie on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Your Cooking for One Source - Because you are worth it - info graphic
joanie zisk leaning on a counter in the kitchen.

Welcome to One Dish Kitchen, I’m Joanie and I’m incredibly happy you’re here! Our aim is to inspire individuals with access to single serving recipes, education, and a supportive community that will enable them to enjoy the preparation of a meal that will nourish both body and soul.

More about me →

Our Book

Order Cooking for One Cookbook graphic

Summer Recipes

  • Strawberry Shortcake For One
  • Stuffed Peppers For One
  • Lemon Meringue Pie For One
  • Bruschetta For One
  • Vanilla Ice Cream For One
  • Blueberry Crumble For One
Newsletter signup graphic

Popular Recipes

  • Penne alla Vodka For One
  • Small Batch Lemon Bars
  • Shrimp Scampi For One
  • Mini Smoked Salmon Platter

Featured On...

Logos of publications that One Dish Kitchen has been published

Cooking for One Tips

Cooking For One - Tips To Eat Healthy and Save Money - Whether you live alone, you're a parent that wants to indulge while the kids enjoy their favorites, or you have a partner who travels, you're sure to find these simple tips for cooking for one and tasty recipes helpful. | One Dish Kitchen

Footer

↑ back to top

One Dish Kitchen

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Statement
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contact
  • Work with Us

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Food and Recipes

  • Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Cookbook
  • FAQ
  • Store

Copyright © 2022 One Dish Kitchen