The Best Tequila Sunrise Recipe

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How To Make This Tequila Sunrise Recipe

How To Make the Perfect Tequila Sunrise

The main ingredient in this drink is tequila, which gives that spicy kick. The next important ingredient is orange juice, which adds sweetness and juiciness to your drink. The grenadine syrup adds just enough sweetness without overpowering the other flavors of the drink. For this step, you can use either a shaker or a cocktail glass.

Shaker: Add ice to your shaker and add the tequila and the orange juice. Shake them together until theyre thoroughly mixed together and chilled, then pour into a glass with ice in itjust like you would do when making any other cocktail!

Add ice to the mix and pour the grenadine syrup at last to make the gradient effect.

Tequila Sunrise Recipe Faq

Is gold or silver tequila best for a sunrise?

Gold tequila, which we use in this recipe, has a very smooth taste and golden brown color. Silver tequila is clear in color and has a harsher bite.You can certainly use silver instead of gold if you wish, but the color of the drink will be different, and the taste wont be as smooth.

Whats the difference between a Tequila Sunrise and Sunset?

A tequila sunset is very similar but usually isnt as sweet. It has the same combination of tequila and orange juice, but usually includes soda water with the grenadine, or sometimes blackberry brandy is used instead.

What can I substitute for grenadine?

If youre not a fan of grenadine in cocktails, you can still get a beautiful color combination with pomegranate or cranberry juice. But to keep the sweet taste, you could use a raspberry or strawberry simple syrup instead.

Enjoy!

With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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OTHER TEQUILA COCKTAILS

When To Serve Tequila Sunrise

Make Tequila Sunrises all through the warm months, by the pool, for tropical themed gatherings and just anytime you want to pick up the mood with a vibrant colourful drink to get the party started!

Its a good drink to serve thats not overly potent so its a sensible choice for outdoor functions on hot summer days .

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Whats The Best Tequila To Use For A Tequila Sunrise

A Tequila Sunrise calls for silver tequila and you should make it one of a certain calibre, but that doesnt mean its time to whip out the bottle of Clase Azul Plata. Whats important is that you avoid well spirits or anything too cheap so as to maximise the quality of your cocktail and minimise your impending hangover. You can find plenty of great examples on our recent list of the 17 Best Tequilas for a Fun-Filled Fiesta, which was put together with this very sort of thing in mind.

Heres to drinking a classic Tequila Sunrise on Cinco de Mayo. And if your bartender isnt doing it right, now you can make one for yourself. Cheers to that!

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Recipe Tips And Variations:

Tequila Sunrise Recipe {Low Calorie and Easy}
  • Glassware: The more dynamic, the better. Tall glasses really show off the sunrise.
  • Tequila Sunset: Some variations use grapefruit juice instead of orange juice. Other recipes call for raspberry Chambord, crème de cacao, or even blackberry brandy drizzled over the drink instead grenadine, giving the drink a darker, purplish hue that resembles a sunset.
  • Tequila Screwdriver: Make it with tequila, orange juice, and a pinch of salt .
  • Grenadine substitute: Feel free to experiment with a drizzle of maraschino cherry juice, pomegranate molasses, a splash of cranberry juice, or raspberry syrup instead.

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What Goes In A Tequila Sunrise

Heres what you need for this deceptively potential cocktail:

  • Tequila use a mid range one which, in Australia, is around the $40 to $50 range. Reserve the better stuff for drinking straight! I use Jose Cuervo which is a top-mid range Mexican tequila

  • orange juice the fresher the better! Avoid the sweet reconstituted stuff with loads of added sugar

  • grenadine syrup a non alcoholic red sugar syrup made from concentrated pomegranate juice. This is what makes Tequila Sunrise red see below for how!

Whats The Difference Between A Tequila Sunrise And A Tequila Sunset

Both the sunrise and the sunset have the same initial ingredients. In the Tequila Sunrise, the grenadine will fall to the bottom of the glass since it is heavier than the other liquids, creating a beautiful sunrise effect.

For a Tequila Sunset, youll add a splash of soda water mixed with the grenadine. Adding this mixture will help give the drink a red tint at the top instead of the bottom.

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The Best Tequila Sunrise Recipe And A Few Fun Variations

  • The Best Tequila Sunrise Recipe And a Few Fun Variations

Theres a lot to love about the tequila sunrise cocktail. Its refreshing, delicious, and easy to mix up . This beautiful drink doesnt require any expertise in bartending. But it is sure to impress your guests at your next cocktail party.

The magic behind the recipe for a tequila sunrise is grenadine. Its a sweet, nonalcoholic, pomegranate syrup that balances out the tartness of orange juice. When you pour this delicious red syrup into your cocktail, it sinks to the bottom of the glass, then rises up like a sunrise and forms the breathtaking orange and red layers.

The tequila sunrise is a great go-to whether youre hosting a backyard barbecue or staying in and watching a movie. Heres a brief look at the history of the tequila sunrise and the best tequila sunrise to make tonight.

Tips From Barman Experts To Prepare It Perfectly

The Tequila Sunrise – which one is better?

Tequila Sunrise Cocktail is a great one to enjoy as the sun comes up, but it can be tricky to make. Here are some tips from barman experts on how to do it right.

  • Use fresh ingredients. You dont want to make this drink with leftover margarita mix from last nights party! Fresh oranges and limes add a lot of flavor, so go ahead and squeeze some fresh juice for your sunrise.
  • Pour slowly. While pouring the tequila over the juice, take your timethe longer it takes you to pour it, the more time there is for all that delicious orange juice to settle into the bottom of your glass before mixing together with the tequila.
  • Dont forget about that grenadine! This sweet syrup adds so much flavor and color to this drink, but if you dont use enough you could end up with something that looks more like a bloody mary than a tequila sunrise cocktail!
  • Dont skimp on the ice! Whether youre making just one or multiple drinks at once, always be sure to add plenty of ice cubes into each glass.
  • Use high-quality tequila and orange juice. We recommend using our Olmeca Altos Plata.
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    History Of A Tequila Sunrise

    For all of the fanciful histories of the tequila sunrise it is most likely a variation of the Singapore Sling. A gin sling, Ngiam Toon Boons Singapore classic combined gin, a cherry liqueur, Cointreau, and pineapple juice, with fresh lime juice and soda water.

    Within twenty years, the Singapore Sling was reinvented, trading out the cherry for creme de cassis, pineapple juice for orange, and losing the Cointreau altogether. The lime juice and soda were also nixed, but worth trying if youre willing to experiment.

    Sam Schick / Simply Recipes

    I Love This Drink Because

    • Looks amazing: Fun, light colors make this drink a must-try. I mean who doesnt love putting a cute two-toned drink on their Instafeed.
    • 3 Ingredients: You only need 3 common ingredients to make this. Most people keep a bottom of Tequila on the house, but if you dont you can pick up an affordable choice at your local liquor store.
    • No Fancy Bar Equipment: No cocktail shaker or blender is needed.
    • Sweet Taste: The tangy orange juice and sweet grenadine make this a favorite among those who dont drink very often.

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    The History Of The Tequila Sunrise Cocktail

    As with many cocktail-origin stories, there are a few versions of how the tequila sunrise recipe was born. One story suggests the cocktail originated in the 1930s or 1940s at an Arizona hotel. Another credits a bartender duo in Sausalito, California in the tequila craze of the 1970s.

    Either way, what is known is that the original recipe is actually not what people recognize as a tequila sunrise today.

    What Is A Tequila Sunrise

    Tequila Sunrise Cocktail Recipe

    Consisting of tequila, orange juice, and grenadine, the Tequila Sunrise is best served unmixed so as to create a sunrise effect. Orange colour dominates whilst the grenadine lends the drink a bottom red layer. Garnishes like cherry or orange slice dial up the visual detail but make no mistake, this tasty beverage is as simple as it sounds. On the other hand, theres always room for variation andperhaps not coincidentallyerror.

    An ideal summer sipper, the Tequila Sunrise has something of a vague history . Amongst older folks, the very words conjure either a popular Eagles song or a late 1980s crime drama starring Mel Gibson and Michelle Pfeiffer or both of these cultural relics at once. Maybe thats why a number of people think the cocktail itself dates back to the 1970s and 1980s. Others trace its origins to post-revolution Mexico and the Hotel Agua Caliente, in particular, which drew lots of American tourism during Prohibition.

    In 1939, famous culinary writer Charles Baker offered a Tequila Sunrise-like recipe for a cocktail called the Armillita Chico. Named after the Mexican bullfighter for whom it was created, the drink featured tequila, lime juice, orange flower water, and two dashes of grenadine for colour. Jump ahead to the 1947 book The Roving Bartender and author Bill Kelly mentions the Tequila Sunrise by name, describing it as a local Tijuana favourite.

    Main alcohol: Blanco tequilaStandard garnish: Orange slice and cherryDrinkware: Highball glass

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    Whats In A Tequila Sunrise

    A Tequila Sunrise is made of tequila, orange juice, and grenadine.

    Referencing alcohol in songs is a practice almost as old as music itself. From Snoop Doggs Gin N Juice to the classic Piña Colada Song, boozy lyrics and titles have long been tied to myriad famous brands and drinks. But few beverages have inspired the music world as much as the rock n roll favorite Tequila Sunrise.

    The Tequila Sunrise cocktail which combines orange juice, Grenadine, and tequila influenced pop culture so much in the early 70s that it is often credited with the popularization of tequila in the U.S.

    Before the Rolling Stones and the Eagles discovered the drink, tequila was already becoming a hit in California, as Mexican influences shook up the West Coast bar scene. But in 1972, the former bands discovery of the citrus-forward beverage would lead to tequilas nationwide popularity.

    After a tough day on tour in June of 1972, when the Rolling Stones needed a place to unwind, promoter Bill Graham took the band to the Trident in Sausalito, Calif. There, the band tried their first Tequila Sunrises, and everything changed.

    The drink soon became a worldwide phenomenon no doubt in part due to the tours name bringing tequila to the forefront of popular culture. In fact, according to a 1976 Time Magazine article, the spirits annual sales grew 400 percent between 1971 and 1976 in the U.S.

    Frequently Asked Questions For This Recipe:

    Can I take out the alcohol?

    Yes! I make these all the time for my kids in the summer. It is a super fun way to fancy up orange juice. Don’t forget the cherry or you’ll never hear the end of it.

    What is the best tequila for a sunrise?

    I love Patron Silver for this recipe! It’s a lighter version of Patron and has citrus notes.

    Should I stir a Tequila Sunrise?

    NOOOOOO!! It’s really not that serious, but it’s supposed to carry all the red from the grenadine down to the bottom like the photo above, so don’t stir.

    Can I prep these drinks ahead?

    This cocktail works best freshly made right before serving.

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    Pomegranate Syrup Or Molasses:

  • For Syrup: Place the pomegranate juice, sugar and lemon juice in a 4-quart saucepan set over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has completely dissolved. Once the sugar has dissolved, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the mixture has reduced to 1 1/2 cups, approximately 50 minutes. It should be the consistency of syrup. Remove from the heat and allow to cool in the saucepan for 30 minutes. Transfer to a glass jar and allow to cool completely before covering and storing in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.
  • For Molasses: Place the pomegranate juice, sugar and lemon juice in a 4-quart saucepan set over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has completely dissolved. Once the sugar has dissolved, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the mixture has reduced to 1 cup, approximately 70 minutes. It should be the consistency of thick syrup. Remove from the heat and allow to cool in the saucepan for 30 minutes. Transfer to a glass jar and allow to cool completely before covering and storing in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.
  • Ingredient Notes And Shopping Tips

    How to make the Best Tequila Sunrise ~ Classic Cocktails
    • Tequila: For this drink, I recommend either a Blanco tequila or a Silver tequila . Whatever tequila you choose, ensure youre choosing a tequila that is 100% agave.
    • Orange juice: Freshly squeezed is best. However, if youre looking to cut calories or carbs consider a store-bought low-sugar version.
    • Grenadine syrup: Grenadine is a syrup available in the mixers section of your grocery store. I found mine near the cocktail mixes/tonic waters. It adds a wonderful sweetness and gorgeous color to cocktails like this one. I also use it in my nonalcoholic Shirley Temple too. Traditionally, grenadine was made with pomegranate juice, and it still retains that fruity flavor.
    • You can also garnish with orange slices and/or maraschino cherries.

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    The Original Tequila Sunrise Recipe

    Sparkling and light, the original tequila sunrise was made with crème de cassis, a sweet black currant liqueur known for its deep red hue.

    To make an original tequila sunrise:

  • Pour 1 ½ oz. of tequila and the juice of half a lime into a Collins glass filled with ice.
  • Top with club soda.
  • Slowly pour ¾ oz. crème de cassis into the cocktail.
  • Garnish with a maraschino cherry and a lime wheel.
  • What Is The Difference Between A Tequila Sunrise And A Tequila Sunset

    A tequila Sunset has the same ingredients as the original Tequila Sunrise, but with a splash of soda water mixed with grenadine to give the drink a red hue at the top instead of the bottom. Others like to use blackberry brandy in place of the grenadine in the sunset version.

    • If desired garnish with orange slice and a maraschino cherry.

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    Tequila Sunrise Recipe + Video

    Our tequila sunrise recipe makes a bold fruity cocktail with refreshing citrus flavors. Make these tequila cocktails for your next party!

    Bold and beautiful, this alcoholic drink has everything you want in a tequila cocktail. The color gradient is astounding, and the combination of tequila and orange juice is perfect for warmer days !

    Its the perfect drink for sipping, and with the bold flavor of tequila, it would make an excellent addition to any Cinco de Mayo or other Mexican food party. It would even make a great addition to a brunch menu or ladies night.

    You cant go wrong with the classic flavors of the tequila sunrise ingredients, and of course, the colors of the cocktail make for a gorgeous presentation!

    Ultimate Recipe To Make The Best Tequila Sunrise

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    A well-made tequila drink is something that everyone enjoys. Almost any flavour combination goes well with this robust but smooth alcohol. Although tequila has been around for centuries, it has only recently become associated with wild parties and sophisticated drinks. One such amazing tequila drink is tequila sunrise which is one of the most preferred tequila cocktails. In this article, we are going to learn more about tequila sunrise and check out the ultimate recipe for making the tequila sunrise cocktail.

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    Others Cocktails That Might Interest You

    Summer is here, and were feeling inspired by the season!

    Were putting together some cocktails that might interest you as you transition from winter to summer, and we couldnt help but share this one with you: the paloma recipe.

    This is a light and refreshing drink thats sure to take your mind off of those hot summer days. Its made with grapefruit soda and tequila, so its perfect for those who like their cocktails on the sweeter side. It also has the delicious taste of lime juice, which always makes any drink better!

    If you try this cocktail during your summer travels, let us know how it is!

    What’s The Difference Between A Tequila Sunrise And A Tequila Sunset

    Quite often, tequila sunset is just another name for a tequila sunrise. Then again, it can be an entirely different recipe. Some use grapefruit juice instead of orange, while others use a blend of pineapple and orange. In all of those, though, the grenadine is at the bottom, just like in a sunrise.

    For the opposite effect that places a red layer at the top of the drink , you’ll need to use a lighter ingredient than straight grenadine. One option is to mix a little soda with grenadine before adding it to the tequila mix. Blackberry brandy is commonly used as a substitute for grenadine in a tequila sunset, and most brands should be light enough to float on top. Other red liquors may work as well, depending on their specific gravity. You could even use dark rum mix it with food coloring if you really want the red layer. With all of these tequila sunset options, pour the top layer over the back of a barspoon so it floats.

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