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.  Just 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.

Do you have to serve the tequila sunrise cocktail 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 the tequila sunrise cocktail?

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!

How to Mix the Tequila Sunrise Cocktail

There are only three ingredients in this lovely cocktail: tequila, orange juice and Grenadine.  That’s all!

Take your cocktail shaker and fill it halfway with ice.  After measuring each ingredient below, pour it into the shaker.

Process shots for the Tequila Sunrise Cocktail:

1. Patron brand silver tequila, my favorite
2. 2 ounces of tequila
3. 4 ounces of orange juice
4. 1/2 ounce of grenadine

Does the quality of the tequila make a difference?

In my experience, it does.  Use the best tequila you can afford.  My go-to tequila is always Patron silver.  It is so smooth that you can drink it without the addition of salt or lime.

Do I have to use a shaker to make this cocktail?

No, absolutely not.  In fact, you can just pour it into an ice filled glass.  You just need to stir it thoroughly after you add the first two ingredients.  Then, you can choose whether to stir in the grenadine.  I usually don’t.

Can you use more than four ounces of orange juice?

You can use as much juice as you like but try not to go above six ounces as it will dilute the tequila and that is not a good thing.  🙂

If you use a big glass, just fill up some of the space with more ice.

Shake the tequila and orange juice and pour them into your patiently waiting glasses. (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.)

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

Pick up the Grenadine shot and pour it in slowly down the inside of the glass.  The grenadine will sink to the bottom.  See?

Garnish the cocktail and serve.

Tips for making the Tequila Sunrise Cocktail

1. Use the best tequila you can afford
2. Usually this drink is served in a tulip glass but use whatever you have
3. If you use orange juice with pulp, you will see the pulp on the bottom and throughout the cocktail
4. Make sure to pour the grenadine down the inside of your glassware
5. Stir in the grenadine if you want but I like to see it on the bottom

The photo below shows a highball 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!

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!

5 from 6 votes

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Tequila Sunrise Cocktail

Prep Time

5 mins

Total Time

5 mins

 

This refreshing and delicious tequila sunrise cocktail recipe is great for any gathering.  It is easy, beautiful and delicious!

Course: Cocktail

Cuisine: Cocktails

Keyword: tequila sunrise cocktail, tequila sunrise recipe

Servings: 1 cocktail

Calories: 260 kcal

Author: Elaine

Ingredients

• 2 ounces tequila
• 4 ounces of orange juice 4 - 6 ounces depending on the size of your glass
• 1/2 ounce of Grenadine

Tools

• cocktail shaker
• martini skewer for garnish

Garnish

• 1/2 orange slice
• 3 maraschino cherries

Glassware

• tulip glass or whatever you want

Instructions

1. Fill a shaker half way with ice

2. Add tequila and orange juice.  Cap shaker and shake for 15 seconds

3. Fill tulip glass half way with ice

4. Pour contents of shaker in your glass of choice and add ice if needed to fill the glass

5. Measure 1/2 ounce of grenadine and pour it down the inside of the glass

6. Add garnish
7. Serve
8. Stir
9. Marvel at the beauty of a cocktail that looks like sunrise!
10. Sip
11. Sigh
12. Enjoy

Recipe Notes

I love drinking this tequila sunrise cocktail in a tulip glass but you can use any glass you want.

Tips for making the Tequila Sunrise Cocktail

1. Use the best tequila you can afford
2. Usually this drink is served in a tulip glass but use whatever you have
3. If you use orange juice with pulp, you will see the pulp on the bottom and throughout the cocktail
4. Make sure to pour the grenadine down the side of the cocktail
5. Stir it if you want but I like the look of the grenadine on the bottom

Nutrition Facts

Tequila Sunrise Cocktail

Amount Per Serving (1 cocktail)

Calories 260

% Daily Value*

Sodium 6mg 0%

Potassium 283mg 8%

Total Carbohydrates 31g 10%

Sugars 24g

Protein 1g 2%

Vitamin A 5.7%

Vitamin C 90.1%

Calcium 1.6%

Iron 1.6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This is an updated post!  First post was first published on February of 2016.