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Fruity Tequila Sunrise Recipe

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Itโ€™s, like, so 70โ€™s it hurts. A Tequila Sunrise is sweet, pretty and SO easy to make. Itโ€™s 3 ingredients you probably have on hand and ready in just minutes! Itโ€™s a classic cocktail recipe that should not be overlooked! Try one now!

A finished Tequila Sunrise in a tall glass garnished with a piece of orange and a cherry.

Years ago I made a Vodka Sunrise and it is one of my most popular recipes. But over the years Iโ€™ve fallen in love with tequila. So I decided to make a Tequila Sunrise.

You donโ€™t see it on cocktail menus. Itโ€™s a drink you maybe would have seen on Threeโ€™s Company (itโ€™s a 70โ€™s/80โ€™s sitcom from when I was little for you young peopleโ€ฆ). But itโ€™s really tasty.

Whether youโ€™re feeling nostalgic or just want to know everything you can make with a handful of ingredients, a Tequila Sunrise cocktail should be on your radar.

Why This Recipe Works

If you donโ€™t know whatโ€™s in a Tequila Sunrise Iโ€™m going to tell you. A little bit of tequila, some orange juice (no pulp, ew) and grenadine is all it takes to create a beautiful and tasty cocktail.

Itโ€™s so super easy to make and I think people donโ€™t give it enough attention because it feels basic and maybe a touch outdated.

We know that Vodka and Orange Juice (or a Screwdriver) is good. So that extra hit of cherry flavor from the grenadine gives it even more magic.

And itโ€™s sort of a layered drink which gives it a great look and makes it seem a little more advanced than it really is. I donโ€™t like fancy techniques, so trust me when I tell you, you can do this.

If youโ€™ve checked out my site before, you know I like to keep my home bar small and make every ingredient work hard for its spot in the lineup. Knowing the 2-ingredient cocktails and 3-ingredient cocktails you can make really gives you tons of options.

And while I usually love a cocktail that uses fresh ingredients, for this one itโ€™s really easy to keep these ingredients on hand and ready.

So put on your best Mrs. Roper outfit (another Threeโ€™s Company reference) and make yourself a Tequila Sunrise. Itโ€™s one of the easiest drinking tequila cocktails you can make!

Woman holding a cocktail shaker with text next to it.

Ingredients

Ingredients to make a Tequila Sunrise on a counter with a woman standing behind.

See the recipe card for quantities.

Use your favorite tequila and orange juice for this recipe. We always have grenadine on hand because itโ€™s delicious in all kinds of soda and mixed drink recipes.

If you want to garnish your drink, make sure you also have an orange and a jar of maraschino cherries too. But usually, I just save garnishing for when Iโ€™m serving drinks to other people. Me = #lazy.

Instructions

Do I need to show you each step of pouring ingredients into a cocktail glass? No. But I have learned over the years that some people like to see each step. If you donโ€™t need it, you can skip right down to the printable recipe card and get to mixing!

Woman adding ice to a glass with a bottle of tequila on the counter next to her.

Typically, a Tequila Sunrise is made in a highball glass. Iโ€™m not one for โ€œproperโ€ glassware. But in this case, to see the layers, a taller clear glass makes sense. But use what you have on hand.

To your tall glass, add ice.

Woman adding tequila to a cocktail glass.

Add the tequila.

Woman adding orange juice to a cocktail glass from a jigger.

Add the orange juice.

Woman pouring grenadine over the back of a spoon into a glass to make a Tequila Sunrise.

To add the grenadine, pour it on the back of a spoon down the side of the glass so it can settle to the bottom.

Now, Iโ€™m not sure why you just wouldnโ€™t add it to the glass firstโ€ฆbut it really doesnโ€™t matter.

Woman adding a cherry and piece of orange to a finished Tequila Sunrise recipe.

Garnish your tequila cocktail with a piece of orange and a cherry. Or donโ€™t. Totally up to you.

NOTE: Before drinking, mix this drink a smidge. You want the grenadine to get a little bit mixed in, but not all the way. The flavor is way better if you stir it up a little and the color gets, even more, graduated making it look like a freaking sunrise. Boom.

These photos are from before stirring. I always take my photos first and then taste test the recipes and adjust.

Variations

A classic recipe is delish. But you can make this your own by making a variation.

  • Extra Fruit Flavors โ€“ Use another fruit juice to give it more layers of flavor. Try pineapple, grapefruit or even cranberry juice.
  • Sparkling โ€“ Add some fizz by adding a little bit of club soda or even champagne.
  • Kid-friendly โ€“ Ditch the tequila to make it a mocktail. What kid wouldnโ€™t love a little bit of grenadine in their orange juice?
  • Different Liquor โ€“ Opt for vodka, gin or rum instead of tequila for a totally new flavor.
  • Specialty Liqueur โ€“ Looking for something a little more complex? Try adding a little bit of flavored liqueur like elderflower liqueur, ginger liqueur or even almond-flavored liqueur.
  • Blended โ€“ Make it more like a slushy (like I did with my Vodka Sunrise) for a blended drink that is perfect to sip by the pool.

Tips

If this drink is a little bit too sweet for you, try adding some fresh citrus (like lime juice) to tone it down.

You can make this drink with fresh-squeezed orange juice if you prefer to give it a more craft cocktail vibe.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Tequila Sunrise cocktail on a table next to some oranges and a small bowl of cherries.

A Tequila Sunrise is fruity, sweet and so pretty to look at. Serve this nostalgic tequila cocktail next time youโ€™re looking for something simple to sip.

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Close up of a Tequila Sunrise cocktail on a table next to a bowl of cherries and oranges.

Tequila Sunrise Cocktail

With just 3 ingredients, this classic Tequila Sunrise Cocktail is not to be overlooked. With a sweet taste and gorgeous color, it's ready in just minutes and has that 70's vibe that's perfect for happy hour.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: cocktails
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Calories: 206kcal
Servings: cocktail

Ingredients

Instructions

  • To a highball glass filled with ice add tequila and orange juice.
  • Pour the grenadine on the back of a spoon and down the inside of the glass so that it settles to the bottom of the glass.
  • Give it a gentle stir to help incorporate the grenadine into the taste, but not enough to completely mix the colors.

Notes

If this drink is a little bit too sweet for you, try adding some fresh citrus (like lime juice) to tone it down.
You can make this drink with fresh-squeezed orange juice if you prefer to give it a more craft cocktail vibe.
I prefer to use blanco tequila to make this recipe but you can use reposado if you prefer it or thatโ€™s all you have. 
Variations you can make to this cocktail:
  • Extra Fruit Flavors โ€“ Use another fruit juice to give it more layers of flavor. Try pineapple, grapefruit or even cranberry juice.
  • Sparkling โ€“ Add some fizz by adding a little bit of club soda or even champagne.
  • Kid-friendly โ€“ Ditch the tequila to make it a mocktail. What kid wouldnโ€™t love a little bit of grenadine in their orange juice?
  • Different Liquor โ€“ Opt for vodka, gin or rum instead of tequila for a totally new flavor.
  • Specialty Liqueur โ€“ Looking for something a little more complex? Try adding a little bit of flavored liqueur like elderflower liqueur, ginger liqueur or even almond-flavored liqueur.
  • Blended โ€“ Make it more like a slushy (like I did with my Vodka Sunrise) for a blended drink that is perfect to sip by the pool.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1drink | Calories: 206kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 234mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 227IU | Vitamin C: 57mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg
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5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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