The Tequila Sunrise is a timeless cocktail built from just three ingredients: tequila, fresh orange juice, and grenadine (pomegranate syrup). Simple to prepare, bright in flavor, and visually striking, this drink is an underrated summer classic when made with quality ingredients and balanced proportions.
Why This Recipe Works
The Tequila Sunrise reached wide popularity in the 1970s because of its beautiful layered look and straightforward preparation. It’s effectively a tequila version of the Screwdriver, but when you use freshly squeezed orange juice and maintain roughly a 1:2 ratio of tequila to orange juice, the cocktail is vibrant rather than cloying. Grenadine, added slowly at the end, creates the iconic sunrise gradient without altering the drink’s overall balance.
This is a great beginner-friendly cocktail: it takes almost no bar tools and can be assembled and enjoyed in the same glass.
Ingredients
- Tequila: Use a Blanco (unaged) tequila to keep the flavors bright and clean.
- Orange juice: Freshly squeezed orange juice is highly recommended. It adds lively citrus notes and avoids the extra sweetness and preservatives found in many store-bought OJ. If using bottled juice, start with less and adjust to taste.
- Grenadine: A pomegranate-flavored syrup that provides color and a touch of sweetness; it functions mostly as the visual and flavor finishing touch.
See the recipe card below for exact quantities.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1.
Juice an orange using a hand juicer. Fill a chilled double old-fashioned glass to the top with ice.
Step 2.
Add tequila and orange juice to the glass and stir gently to combine.
Step 3.
Slowly pour grenadine down the side of the glass or into the center; it will sink to the bottom and create the sunrise effect. Do not stir.
Step 4.
Garnish with an orange wedge or a cherry and serve immediately.
Expert Tips
- Freeze your glasses ahead of time to keep the cocktail colder for longer, especially on warm days.
- Use freshly squeezed orange juice whenever possible; it brightens the drink and reduces excessive sweetness. If using bottled OJ, begin with about 3 ounces and adjust to taste.
- Always choose Blanco tequila for this recipe to preserve the citrus-forward profile. Añejo or reposado tequilas add oak and caramel notes that can compete with the orange.
- One large orange typically yields enough juice for a single serving.
More Tequila Cocktails
Mango Margarita Recipe
Classic Margarita
Grapefruit Margarita
Spicy Margarita
Enjoy this recipe? If you made this cocktail, please leave a ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ star rating in the recipe card below and a review in the comments!
Tequila Sunrise
Ingredients
- 2 ounces tequila
- 4 ounces orange juice, freshly squeezed
- 1/4–1/2 ounce grenadine
Instructions
-
Fill a chilled double old-fashioned glass to the top with ice.
-
Add tequila and orange juice and stir to mix.
-
Slowly add grenadine so it sinks and forms the sunrise layer. Do not stir.
-
Garnish with an orange wedge or cherry and serve.
Notes
Freezing glasses keeps the drink colder longer—handy in hot weather.
If using bottled orange juice, begin with about 3 ounces and add more to taste.
Stick with blanco tequila to keep the cocktail light and citrus-forward.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.