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

Years ago I made a Vodka Sunrise and it is one of my most popular recipes. But over the years Iโve fallen in love with tequila. So I decided to make a Tequila Sunrise.
You donโt see it on cocktail menus. Itโs a drink you maybe would have seen on Threeโs Company (itโs a 70โs/80โs sitcom from when I was little for you young peopleโฆ). But itโs really tasty.
Whether youโre 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 donโt know whatโs in a Tequila Sunrise Iโm 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.
Itโs so super easy to make and I think people donโt give it enough attention because it feels basic and maybe a touch outdated.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 itโs sort of a layered drink which gives it a great look and makes it seem a little more advanced than it really is. I donโt like fancy techniques, so trust me when I tell you, you can do this.
If youโve 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 itโs really easy to keep these ingredients on hand and ready.
So put on your best Mrs. Roper outfit (another Threeโs Company reference) and make yourself a Tequila Sunrise. Itโs one of the easiest drinking tequila cocktails you can make!
Ingredients
See the recipe card for quantities.
Use your favorite tequila and orange juice for this recipe. We always have grenadine on hand because itโs 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 Iโm 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 donโt need it, you can skip right down to the printable recipe card and get to mixing!
Typically, a Tequila Sunrise is made in a highball glass. Iโm not one for โproperโ 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.
Add the tequila.
Add the orange juice.
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, Iโm not sure why you just wouldnโt add it to the glass firstโฆbut it really doesnโt matter.
Garnish your tequila cocktail with a piece of orange and a cherry. Or donโt. 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 wouldnโt 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 is fruity, sweet and so pretty to look at. Serve this nostalgic tequila cocktail next time youโre looking for something simple to sip.
Pin to save this recipe for later
Save and pin this recipe for later!
Save this recipe for later by pinning it or clicking the teal heart at the bottom right of the page. For more recipes make sure youโre following me on Pinterest, Instagram and like my page on Facebook. If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a star rating and tag me in your pictures!
Related Recipes
- Tequila and Coke is a super simple tequila cocktail idea that is refreshing and super tasty.
- Red Wine and Tequila Cocktails are super interesting and should not be missed!
- My go-to is a Tequila and Soda cocktail when I want something super easy with a fresh lime taste. If you love tequila, you need to give this a try.
- Looking for a classic tequila cocktail? Try a Margarita on the Rocks.
- I love spicy drinks and this Serrano Margarita is SO good!
Tequila Sunrise Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1.5 ounces Tequila
- 4 ounces orange juice
- .75 ounces grenadine
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
- 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 wouldnโt 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.