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.
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.
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 ½ 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
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!
Tequila Sunrise Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces tequila
- 4 ounces of orange juice 4 – 6 ounces depending on the size of your glass
- ½ ounce of Grenadine
Garnish
- ½ orange slice
- 3 maraschino cherries
Instructions
- Fill a shaker half way with ice
- Add tequila and orange juice. Cap shaker and shake for 15 seconds
- Fill tulip glass half way with ice
- Pour contents of shaker in your glass of choice and add ice if needed to fill the glass
- Measure ½ ounce of grenadine and pour it down the inside of the glass
- Add garnish
- Serve
- Sip
- Enjoy
Notes
- Although I almost always use premium liquor in my cocktails, this cocktail doesn’t require premium. The reason being 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 is a 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 it 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
Nutrition
This was originally published on February of 2016.
lucie
This cocktail looks so good! Its making me crave summer so badly!
Elaine
Lucie,
Me too! Summer skies are the best!
Thanks,
Elaine
Elaine
Thanks Lucie!
Carol Borchardt
Wow, I haven’t had a Tequila Sunrise in years! I need to make this!
Elaine
They are pretty darn delish! 🙂
Enjoy,
Elaine
Joyce
Fun! I haven’t had one of these in years! I have to rectify that!
Elaine
Hehe Joyce! Thanks! 🙂
Tania | Fit Foodie Nutter
We have such beautiful weather today in the UK, so this cocktail would do very nicely! Bookmarking the recipe to make it for the summer parties!
Elaine
Thanks Tania!! It certainly would 🙂
Danielle
So beautiful, and a great wonderful tutorial on how to get that perfect layered look! Our community pool just opened and sadly we can’t bring alcohol. Boo. BUT, I do envision myself sipping one of these on my patio!
Elaine
Hehe Danielle! Thank you, I appreciate it!
Marie – Not Enough Cinnamon
Ooooh I can definitely see myself drinking this cocktail by the poolside. The beach would work, too. It’s such a pretty and tasty cocktail, I love it!
Elaine
Thanks Marie!! It’s perfect by the pool!
Sonia
What a gorgeous drink!!???? Perfect for this hot weather and BBQ party! Pinning it for later 🙂
Elaine
Thank you so much Sonia! I appreciate it!
Beth
This cocktail is so lovely Lainey! I am in love with these shots! It makes my mouth water just looking at them! Nicely done!
Elaine
Thanks Beth! I appreciate it!
Chris
The tequila sun also rises! Look at those glorious lines! Nicely done.