Tequila Sunrise Cocktail

The tantalizing tequila sunrise cocktail delivers in so many ways! Not only is it pretty but the combination of the tequila, orange juice, and grenadine makes it so delicious. Now, imagine sipping one of these by the poolside.

Yum.  I wish I knew how many of these tequila sunrise cocktails I’ve made in my career as a bartender. Let’s just say it is a LOT.

One of the things I love about this cocktail other than it being delicious is how incredibly pretty it is.  It always wows your guests when you serve it to them.

Want to learn more about tequila? Read my comprehensive guide here.

Do you have to serve this drink in a tulip glass?

No! You don’t. They just look really cool in the tulip glass. In the photos below you will see a variety of glassware. Each pieces showcases this delicious cocktail in its own way!

Why is this drink called a tequila sunrise?

Because it looks like a sunrise. Whether you drink it just as it looks above or you stir it up as I did below, it still looks like a very pretty sunrise in the summertime!

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Helpful tips

• Although I almost always use premium liquor in my cocktails, this cocktail doesn’t require premium. The reason is there is a good amount of juice in this cocktail so the nuance of premium over mid range would be not pronounced.
• You don’t have to use a cocktail shaker, you can just pour the ingredients in the glass. I prefer the shaker because of the ice chips that result when you shake a cocktail, and it makes for a colder drink.
• You can use more than 4 ounces of orange juice, but don’t use more than 6 ounces because it will dilute the cocktail too much.
• I used an orange juice with pulp, but just know you will see it in the drink.
• If you use a big glass and you’ve hit the 6 ounce mark in juice, just add more ice.
• This cocktail is made in a tulip glass but use whatever you have on hand.

How to make the tequila sunrise

Pre-step

Fill cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Get a measuring glass and glassware.

Other than the grenadine, after measuring each ingredient below, pour it into the shaker.

Step one

The ingredients – Patron Silver tequila, orange juice and grenadine.  (1)

Step two

Measure 2 ounces of tequila. (2)

Step three

Measure 4 ounces of orange juice. (3)

Step four

Measure 1/2 ounce of grenadine. Set aside.  (4)

Step five

Cap your shaker and shake for 15 seconds. Pour the contents into the glass. (This is when I adjust the ice cubes. I use the ice left in the shaker if needed. You want the mixture to be a quarter of an inch from the top of the glass.)

Step six

Prepare your garnish: three maraschino cherries and an orange slice. I use my much loved martini pick to skewer the cherries, alternating the colors!

Step seven

Pour the Grenadine shot slowly down the inside of the glass. The grenadine will sink to the bottom.  See?

Step eight

Garnish the cocktail and serve.

The photo below shows a double old fashioned glass filled with the tequila sunrise cocktail. You can see the martini glass in the background.

Notice that the grenadine will start rising up the orange juice. You can also see I use orange juice with pulp.

And the vertical view!

Other popular tequila recipes

• Cadillac margarita
• Pomegranate margarita
• Mango margarita
• Tequila sunrise shot

I hope you enjoyed this tequila sunrise cocktail recipe and will make it very soon; it is so delicious!

And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!

If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below.  I love hearing from you!  You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!

This was originally published on February of 2016.