Classic Tequila Cocktails – Tequila Sunrise

The Tequila Sunrise is a cocktail that just screams summer sun and beaches with its yellow and orange colours and delicious taste. It can even be a tequila cocktail for those who aren’t mad on the spirit because the strong tasting components mask the spirit somewhat.

History

The first version of the Tequila Sunrise was created in the Arizona Biltmore Hotel by Gene Sulit in the 1930s. It consisted of tequila, crème de cassis, soda water and lime juice.

The version most cocktail lovers will recognise swapped some of those ingredients and makes use of orange juice and grenadine. It was created by Bobby Lazoff and Billy Rice in the early 1970s when the pair were working as bartenders at The Trident in Sausalito, California. They created the adapted version of the drink at a party organised by Bill Graham to start of the 1972 Rolling Stones tour and lead singer Mick Jagger took a liking to it.

The recipe was picked up in 1973 by Jose Cuervo and they began highlighting the cocktail on the back of their new tequila bottles, along with other advertising. It even inspired the song by The Eagles called Tequila Sunrise.

Tequila sunrise variations

There have also been a host of other ‘sunrise’ drinks using different ingredients but the same basic principles. These include:

• Aperol sunrise – using Aperol orange liqueur in place of grenadine
• Tequila sunset – using blackberry brandy or dark rum for grenadine
• Caribbean sunrise – rum in place of tequila
• Vodka or Russian Sunrise – vodka in place of tequila
• Southern sunrise – Southern Comfort in place of tequila
• Astronaut sunrise – using Tang in place of orange juice
• Amaretto sunrise – using Disaronno amaretto in place of tequila
• Florida sunrise – using equal measures of pineapple juice and orange juice
• Red sea sunrise – non-alcoholic version using lemonade or sprite in place of tequila
• Enamorada sunrise – using Campari in place of grenadine
• Colorado sunrise – using Captain Morgan and Sunny Delight in place of tequila and orange juice
• Bequia sunrise – using Union Jake’s Honey Brandy in place of tequila 

What you need

• 2 ounces tequila blanco (silver)
• 4 ounces orange juice
• 1/2 ounce grenadine syrup
• Orange slice & maraschino cherry to garnish

Instructions

Take a highball glass and half fill the glass with ice

Add the tequila and the orange juice and stir with a bar spoon

Slowly pour the grenadine down the inside of one side of the tall glass so it sits at the bottom

Garnish with an orange slice split over the edge of the glass you can also add cherries for garnish

Recipe Notes

You can also add the grenadine over the back of a small spoon and this will cause it to settle to the bottom.

Yield: 2 drinks

Tequila Sunrise

Prep Time: 3 minutes

Total Time: 3 minutes

One of the classics, the Tequila Sunrise is a simple tequila cocktail to make that looks stunning!

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Ingredients

• 2 ounces tequila blanco (silver)
• 4 ounces orange juice
• 1/2 ounce grenadine syrup
• Orange slice & maraschino cherry to garnish

Instructions

Take a highball glass and half fill the glass with ice

Add the tequila and the orange juice and stir with a bar spoon

Slowly pour the grenadine down the inside of one side of the tall glass so it sits at the bottom

Garnish with an orange slice split over the edge of the glass you can also add cherries for garnish

Notes

You can also add the grenadine over the back of a small spoon and this will cause it to settle to the bottom

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

2

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 150Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 4mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 2gSugar: 15gProtein: 1g