Tequila Sunrise cocktail recipe

The Tequila Sunrise is a refreshing, fruity cocktail that tastes as good as it looks. The name refers to the lovely layers of orange, pink and red that are created when grenadine is added to orange juice. It's a super-easy cocktail that can be whipped up with zero mixology skills and only a few basic ingredients on hand. The orange juice base makes it a perfect addition for the brunch table, or you could match the backdrop next time you’re hosting guests for a sundowner.

This is a classic tequila cocktail and its origins date back to the 1930s or ’40s, when bartender Gene Sulit, who worked at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, first served up a beverage that he named the Tequila Sunrise. His version, however, bears little resemblance to the Tequila Sunrise we know and love today – it consisted of tequila, creme de cassis (creating the blush red ‘sunrise’ colour), soda water and lime juice.

Flash forward to the 1970s, when sweet fruity cocktails were all the rage – the cocktail retained its name but underwent quite a transformation. Credited to the folks at a Californian dive bar named The Trident, there’s even a famous tale of The Rolling Stones throwing back a few Tequila Sunrises while visiting the establishment. Sources say it became Mick Jagger's drink of choice on their 1972 cross-country tour, and perhaps he raved about it to his pals, The Eagles, as Tequila Sunrise became the name of one of their hit singles that decade.

Though it’s fallen out of favour a little in the years since, we love this cocktail as a bright, fun crowd-pleaser. And hey, if it’s good enough for Mick Jagger, it’s good enough for us. 

Grenadine is a pomegranate-flavoured non-alcoholic cordial that is typically quite sweet. Because of its thick, syrupy texture, it sinks to the bottom of the glass when added to the orange juice and tequila, then slowly rises up. The key to creating and sustaining that sunrise effect? Don’t stir!

If the cocktail is a little sweet for your palate, feel free to add a dash – or more – of lemon or lime juice. This will bring a slight tartness to the cocktail, which will further balance the flavours without affecting the appearance or main flavour profile. 

And when it comes to selecting a tequila for this cocktail, remember there’s no need to reach for the top shelf. The fruit flavours in a Tequila Sunrise are quite heavy, so you can be a little more frugal with your choice of tequila and save the premium bottles for when you’re sipping it solo or pouring yourself a Margarita. Not a fan of tequila? No probs – simply swap it out for vodka to create a similarly delicious cocktail.