Tequila Sunrise Cocktail Recipe: How to Make a Tequila Sunrise

The Tequila Sunrise cocktail is one of the most popular cocktails in the world. It has become a staple drink in almost every bar and restaurant. The Tequila Sunrise recipe consists of tequila, grenadine and orange juice and is commonly served in a highball glass. It has a bright and citrusy flavour and evokes the look of a summer sunrise with its vibrant display of layered colours.

The Tequila Sunrise cocktail’s origins dated back to the early 1970s. Bobby Lozof and Billy Rice created the concoction at the Trident Bar in Sausalito, California. However, the cocktail rose to prominence when Mick Jagger, a member of the Rolling Stones band, tasted it at a party and started to order it across the country. In 1973, the Jose Cuervo brand started to put the recipe on the back of its tequila bottles, which skyrocketed the fame of the Tequila Sunrise cocktail even more. The famous rock band the Eagles even released a song entitled “Tequila Sunrise” which caused the cocktail to go mainstream. It has been one of the most prominent drinks in the mixology industry ever since. The Tequila Sunrise cocktail is best recommended for those who like fresh and fruity drinks. It is ideal to enjoy in summer weather, while chilling down by the beach or pool.

What are the ingredients for a Tequila Sunrise?

Listed below are the ingredients for a Tequila Sunrise cocktail.

• 40ml Tequila: Tequila is a distilled alcoholic spirit made from the fermented blue agave plant. It is only produced in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. It has a smooth, sweet, and fruity taste.
• 10ml grenadine: Grenadine liqueur is a bar syrup used to add flavour and colour to drinks. It has a deep red colour and a sweet-tart flavour.
• Orange Juice until filling glass: Orange juice is most commonly consumed as a beverage. It has a citrusy flavour and is also used to add flavour to cocktails.

1. 40ml Tequila

Tequila is the base spirit of the Tequila Sunrise cocktail. The recipe requires 40ml of tequila to make the cocktail. It adds a smooth and fruity taste to the drink. The tequila usually contains 40% alcohol by volume and 64 calories per serving. The Jose Cuervo tequila is the best brand of tequila to use for the Tequila Sunrise cocktail.

2. 10ml grenadine

The Tequila Sunrise cocktail also requires 10ml of grenadine. Grenadine is a bar syrup used to add sweetness to the Tequila Sunrise cocktail. It also adds to the visual effect of the drink looking like a summer sunrise. Grenadine only contains 3-4% alcohol by volume and has 37 calories in 10ml.

3. Orange Juice until filling glass

Lastly, the Tequila Sunrise needs to be topped with orange juice. Orange juice has a citrusy flavour, which helps to balance the sweetness of the grenadine. Freshly squeezed orange juice is best to use for the Tequila Sunrise cocktail. It does not have any alcohol content, but it contains 111 calories per serving.

How to make a Tequila Sunrise?

Preparing a Tequila Sunrise has never been easier thanks to this recipe, so don't miss it and make the most out of your cocktail!

1. Pour the tequila into a highball glass over cubed ice.
2. Fill with orange juice.
3. Sink the grenadine.

1. Pour the tequila into a highball glass over cubed ice.

In a highball glass with ice cubes, pour the 40ml tequila. It is important to make sure that you have the right amount of tequila to have a perfect balance of flavours.

2. Fill with orange juice.

After pouring the tequila into the highball glass, pour the orange juice next, just enough to fill the glass. Make sure you don’t pour too much or put less to give a better balance of citrus flavours.

3. Sink the grenadine.

After pouring the orange juice, gently sink the grenadine into the mixture. This step is the most crucial part because this is what will create the summer sunrise visual effect in the cocktail. Make sure that the grenadine is sinking completely to the bottom of the glass and not mixing with the orange juice.  

What nutritional benefit can you get from drinking a Tequila Sunrise?

The Tequila Sunrise does contain a few nutritional benefits. It has 12 mg sodium, 342 mg  potassium and 1.3 g of protein. It also contains 13.33% alcohol by volume and 268 calories per serving.

What are the different variations of Tequila Sunrise?

There are multiple variations of the classic Tequila Sunrise cocktail, including Aperol Sunrise, Tequila Sunset, Caribbean Sunrise, Southern Sunrise, Amaretto Sunrise and Colorado Sunrise. To variate a classic Tequila Sunrise cocktail drink, the bartender can change some ingredients. Instead of using tequila, the bartender can use vodka. Some similar drinks to the Tequila Sunrise are Desert Sunrise, Vodka Sunrise, Screwdriver, and Orange Martini.