How to Make a Tequila Sunrise

Guide Note

Have you ever wondered how a Tequila Sunrise gets those interesting layered colors? The technique is fairly simple, involving just three ingredients. This guide to not only teaches you how to prepare the familiar tequila-orange juice-grenadine version, but introduces you to some interesting variations as well!

Table of Contents

Tequila Sunrise Tips

  1. Use the best quality orange juice you can find.
  2. Use a light color tequila.
  3. Allow grenadine to settle for a minute before presenting.
  4. For more distinct layers, omit the ice, and chill the tequila well before preparing.
  5. Do not stir or shake after adding grenadine.

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Introduction

(Creative Commons photo by Jun)
(Creative Commons photo by Jun)
  • Both recipes are included here, as are a few other variations, so that you can enjoy finding the combination you like best!

Contemporary Recipe

Ingredients

Equipment

Instructions

  1. Fill a 12 ounce glass with crushed ice.
  2. Pour tequila into glass.
  3. Top with orange juice.
  4. Stir with spoon.
  5. Hold the spoon in the center of the glass.
  6. Pour the grenadine down the spoon.
  7. Pull the spoon straight up, and out of the glass, without stirring.
  8. Give the grenadine time to sink to the bottom of the drink.
  9. Garnish with sliced orange and maraschino cherry.

Arizona Biltmore Original Tequila Sunrise

  • This is a very different drink from the contemporary recipe above, with a lighter taste and slightly different appearance.

Ingredients

Equipment

Instructions

  1. Fill glass with ice.
  2. Add Tequila, Creme de Cassis, and a squeeze of lime.
  3. Do not stir.
  4. Fill glass with club soda.
  5. Garnish with lime slice.

Variations

(Photo by Katia Grimmer-Laversanne)
(Photo by Katia Grimmer-Laversanne)
  1. Tequila Sunset—use blackberry brandy in place of grenadine
  2. Sunrise on the Volga—use Vodka rather than Tequila.
  3. Astronaut Sunrise—use Tang instead of orange juice.
  4. Diet Sunrise—replace the grenadine with pomegranate or cranberry juice.
  5. Malibu Sunrise—substitute coconut rum for the tequila.
  6. The Internet Cocktail Database Tequila Sunrise Variation modifies the Biltmore version by adding orange curacao.
  7. One blogger created what he maintains is a more interesting tasting version, using Gin mixed with a Honey-Jasmine syrup.
  8. Make pitchers or punch for a Tequila Sunrise-themed party.

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Resources and References for How To Make a Tequila Sunrise

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