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Tequila Sunrise Shot

Most of us are familiar with the classic tequila sunrise cocktail, a drink that’s simple to make and visually beautiful. I recreate it here as a tequila sunrise shot that still uses the same three ingredients but makes for a short, snappy shooter you drink down in one go.

The tall glass filled with the layered shot in front of the others showing the difference of the shot in the glasses

I love layered shots, especially ones as delicious as this one. If you love the tequila sunrise cocktail, you’re going to adore this recipe.

This layered shot is so colorful and pretty that it’s fun to serve at a party. Watch everyone line up to down one of these beauties and listen to them murmur ‘yum’ after imbibing it!

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And the best part is you can serve your guests more than one since each shooter is only one-third alcohol.

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This recipe is for one layered shot. Just add the same ingredient amounts to as many shot glasses as you need.

Helpful tips

  • Usually when you are layering a shot, you need to put the heaviest liquor on the bottom and work your way up to the lightest. Not true in this case, the heaviest substance is the grenadine and will be layered in last. You want it to switch places with the other ingredients so you get the sunrise affect.
  • When making a layered shot, you can only measure the first ingredient because you’ll need a pourer in conjunction with a cocktail spoon to layer the other ingredients directly from the bottle into the shot glass, which means you’ll need to eyeball the quantities of those additional ingredients.
  • One tool you definitely need for layering is either a regular teaspoon or a cocktail spoon. I prefer the cocktail spoon since it has a wider bowl.
  • I also prefer to use pourers, like the ones you see in bars, because they control the flow of liquor from the bottle, allowing you to pour slowly, which is required for layered shots.
  • When layering, place your spoon bowl side up against the inside of the glass, but above the liquid.
  • It’s one of my favorite things that sometimes in layered shots, you will see an ingredient switch places with the rest of the ingredients. In this layered shot, the grenadine does just that.
  • Most shot glasses are 2 ounces. You can find smaller ones but I like the 2 ounce glasses because most of my layered shots are 1.5 ounces.
  • For this drink, you can use as much or as little grenadine as you like. I used different amounts for each of the glasses so you can see how it looks. The smooth short glass has more than the beveled glass, but the tall glass has the most.
  • The shape of the glass showcases the layered shots differently. I love that. As you can see, the tall glass allows more infiltration of the grenadine, where the shorter glasses separate easily.

How to make a layered tequila sunrise shot

Pre-step

Get a cocktail spoon or teaspoon, pourer and three shot glasses.

Step one

Gather the ingredients – tequila, fresh orange juice and grenadine.

Tequila, orange juice and grenadine on a wooden table

Step two

Measure out .50 ounce of tequila and pour it into the shot glasses.

Tequila poured in the shot glasses

Step three

Add .75 ounce of orange juice. You want the liquid to come up to leave less than 1/4 of the glass free.

Orange juice poured into the glasses

Step four

Place a pourer into the grenadine bottle. Put the cocktail spoon in and against the glass with the bowl side facing up. Carefully pour the grenadine over the bowl of the spoon and into the glass. Use as much or as little as you like.

Grenadine layered into the shot glasses

It’s a pretty drink isn’t it?

A smooth small glass in front of the other two filled with the layered shot

But it’s not just pretty, it’s delicious as well. See the different ways the layered shot looks in each glass?

Vertical view of the tequila sunrise shot in the three glasses

Let’s see the smallest glass in front.

The small smooth glass in front with the layers apparent

I hope you enjoyed this layered tequila sunrise shot. It’s one of the most popular tequila shots. It’s delicious and a people pleaser.

Other fun layered shots

If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOKTWITTERINSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!

vertical view of the smooth glass filled with the tequila sunrise shot - square

Tequila Sunrise Shot

With this tequila sunrise shot, you get all the flavor of the classic tequila sunrise cocktail in a short and sharp shooter style drink. Find out how to make it using just three ingredients in my new blog post!
5 from 9 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Cocktails
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: layered shots, pretty shots, tequila sunrise shot
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 shot
Calories: 61kcal

Ingredients

  • .50 ounce tequila
  • .75 ounce orange juice
  • .25 ounce grenadine (or as much or as little as you like)

Instructions

  • Measure and add the tequila to each glass.
    .50 ounce tequila
  • Measure and add the orange juice. Don't worry, the orange juice and tequila will mix.
    .75 ounce orange juice
  • Put the pourer into the grenadine bottle, place the spoon in and against the glass with the bowl side facing up and slowly pour the grenadine over the spoon an dinto the glass.
    .25 ounce grenadine
  • Drink down
  • Smile
  • Enjoy
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Notes

Helpful tips
  • Usually when you are layering a shot, you need to put the heaviest liquor on the bottom and work your way up to the lightest. Not true in this case, the heaviest substance is the grenadine and will be layered in last. You want it to switch places with the other ingredients so you get the sunrise affect.
  • When making a layered shot, you can only measure the first ingredient because you’ll need a pourer in conjunction with a cocktail spoon to layer the other ingredients directly from the bottle into the shot glass, which means you’ll need to eyeball the quantities of those additional ingredients.
  • One tool you definitely need for layering is either a regular teaspoon or a cocktail spoon. I prefer the cocktail spoon since it has a wider bowl.
  • I also prefer to use pourers, like the ones you see in bars, because they control the flow of liquor from the bottle, allowing you to pour slowly, which is required for layered shots.
  • When layering, place your spoon bowl side up against the inside of the glass, but above the liquid.
  • It’s one of my favorite things that sometimes in layered shots, you will see an ingredient switch places with the rest of the ingredients. In this layered shot, the grenadine does just that.
  • Most shot glasses are 2 ounces. You can find smaller ones but I like the 2 ounce glasses because most of my layered shots are 1.5 ounces.
  • For this drink, you can use as much or as little grenadine as you like. I used different amounts for each of the glasses so you can see how it looks. The smooth short glass has more than the beveled glass, but the tall glass has the most.
  • The shape of the glass showcases the layered shots differently. I love that. As you can see, the tall glass allows more infiltration of the grenadine, where the shorter glasses separate easily.

Nutrition

Serving: 1shot | Calories: 61kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 45mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 43IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg
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From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to food journalist, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.

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12 Comments

  1. Very fun and classic, perfect for easy treats that are uncomplicated. I like the festive quality too. These turn out so pretty.

  2. Appreciate the how to on getting the layers right for this fabulous tequila sunrise shot! They are pretty and delicious.

  3. This is so pretty! I’m very novice at cocktails so I love your tips about the layering so I can get it right.

    1. I don’t think so Kirsty. The orange juice helps the sunrise affect. I looked at orange colored alcohols but what I’m seeing are liqueurs so it will make it too sweet. Sorry.

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