Tequila Sunrise cocktails are both delicious and visually stunning. Grenadine syrup sinks to the bottom of the glass, creating a beautiful sunrise-like effect in this classic cocktail.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Tequila Sunrise cocktails are perfect for any occasion, but they're really great for Cinco De Mayo parties, hot summer days, or even just a relaxing night at home.
Enjoy this classic Tequila Sunrise cocktail recipe for Cinco De Mayo, Taco Night, and your next weekend grill.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Ingredients for Tequila Sunrise Cocktails
- How to Make a Tequila Sunrise
- Serving Suggestions
- Related Recipes
- Substitutions and Variations
- Equipment
- Storage and Reheating
- Tips for Success
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Food Safety
- Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
- 📖 Recipe
- Connect with Smells Like Delish!
Ingredients for Tequila Sunrise Cocktails
The Lunazul brand of tequila comes in three labels: the Blanco, the Resposado, and Anejo. Any aged level is great in a Tequila Sunrise, but if you want the colors to be unchanged, you would use the Blanco (the least aged).
- Orange Juice - Any brand, pulp free or with pulp is fine. You can use frozen concentrated, fresh squeezed, or the cartons in the refrigerator case.
- Tequila - Any brand is fine. Clear tequila gives the best color in a Tequila Sunrise though.
- Grenadine - Any brand is fine.
- Ice - Ice cubes or large crushed ice. Cubes will take longer to melt and dilute your cocktail though.
- Luxardo Maraschino Cherries - Optional, but get the best you can afford. The Luxardo maraschinos are top of the line.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make a Tequila Sunrise
There are many different Tequila Sunrise Cocktail recipes. Most use blanco tequila, but you can substitute other types of tequila, such as reposado or añejo. You can also add other ingredients, such as lime juice, grapefruit juice, or pineapple juice.
Start With A Tall Glass
- Fill a tall glass ¾ full with ice cubes.
- Pour the Tequila into the glass after measuring it with the jigger.
Top Off With Orange Juice
- Pour the orange juice into the glass on top of the ice and Tequila.
Add The Grenadine Syrup
- Pour the grenadine syrup gently down the side of the glass and let it settle on the bottom for a few seconds.
Garnish and Serve
- Enjoy watching the layered colors form in the glass.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry and slice of orange. Serve immediately.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Tequila Sunrise cocktails with light appetizers, such as chips and salsa, guacamole, or shrimp cocktails. They're also perfect with our Chili Relleno Burritos or Chili Lime Shrimp Tacos for a Tuesday Taco themed dinner.
Some additional dinner entree's that go well with Tequila Sunrise Cocktails are:
- Lime Marinated Flat Iron Steak
- Chili's Steak Fajitas
- Cuban Black Beans
- Taco Stuffed Shells
- Mexican Fajita Seasoning
- Birria Quesadillas
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Related Recipes
Substitutions and Variations
- Tequila Sunrise Popsicle's - Leave the tequila out, so the orange juice and grenadine can freeze solid. Pour orange juice into a Popsicle mold and then add a teaspoon of grenadine to each mold cavity. Place the top on, and move to the freezer to become frozen.
- Pineapple Tequila Sunrise - Use pineapple juice instead of orange juice in this tequila sunrise cocktail recipe.
- Mango Tequila Sunrise - Use mango nectar instead of orange juice.
- Tequila Sunrise Mocktail - Omit the tequila. You can also substitute the tequila for Jalisco 55, a non alcoholic spirit distillation that replicates the taste of Reposado Tequilas from Mexico.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this dish.
- Cocktail Making Essentials Kit - All the essential equipment for cocktail making.
- Luxardo Maraschino Cherries - Italian maraschinos with amazing taste, best for cocktails.
Storage and Reheating
Tequila Sunrise cocktails are made to be consumed as soon as they are made. I
Tips for Success
Here are a few helpful tips for making this Tequila Sunrise recipe at home:
- Use fresh orange juice. The quality of the orange juice will make a big difference in the taste of the cocktail.
- Use good quality grenadine syrup. There are many different brands of grenadine syrup available, so be sure to choose one that is made with real fruit juice.
- Don't over-mix the cocktail. The Tequila Sunrise is best served with the layers of tequila, orange juice, and grenadine syrup clearly visible.
- Garnish the cocktail with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry. The garnish will add a touch of color and flavor to the cocktail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any type of tequila can be used for a Tequila Sunrise, but blanco tequila is the most common choice. Blanco tequila is a clear tequila that has not been aged. It has a light, refreshing flavor that pairs well with the orange juice and grenadine syrup.
Tequila Sunrise cocktails are best served in tall glasses over ice. They're typically garnished with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.
A Tequila Sunrise is made with tequila, orange juice, and grenadine syrup. The grenadine syrup sinks to the bottom of the glass, creating a beautiful sunrise-like effect. A Tequila Sunset is made with tequila, grapefruit juice, and blue curaçao. The blue curaçao sinks to the bottom of the glass, creating a beautiful sunset-like effect.
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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📖 Recipe
Tequila Sunrise Cocktails
Ingredients
- Ice
- 4 oz Tequila
- 8 oz Orange Juice
- ½ oz Grenadine syrup
- Maraschino Cherries
- Orange Slices
Instructions
- Fill a tall glass ¾ full with ice cubes.Ice
- Pour the Tequila into the glass after measuring it with the jigger.4 oz Tequila
- Pour the orange juice into the glass on top of the ice and Tequila.8 oz Orange Juice
- Carefully pour the grenadine syrup gently down the side of the glass and let it settle on the bottom for a few seconds.½ oz Grenadine syrup
- Enjoy watching the layered colors form in the glass.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry and slice of orange. Serve immediately.Maraschino Cherries, Orange Slices
Notes
- Use fresh orange juice. The quality of the orange juice will make a big difference in the taste of the cocktail.
- Use good quality grenadine syrup. There are many different brands of grenadine syrup available, so be sure to choose one that is made with real fruit juice.
- Don't over-mix the cocktail. The Tequila Sunrise is best served with the layers of tequila, orange juice, and grenadine syrup clearly visible.
- Garnish the cocktail with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry. The garnish will add a touch of color and flavor to the cocktail.
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