Tequila Sunrise

By Naz Deravian

Updated Oct. 12, 2023

Tequila Sunrise — Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.

Total Time: 15 minutes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Rating: 4(111)
Notes: Read community notes

This beautiful ombré cocktail first appeared on the menu of the Arizona Biltmore, a resort hotel in Phoenix, in the late 1930s or early 1940s. Originally, it was made with tequila, lime juice, soda water and crème de cassis, but was reinterpreted using orange juice and grenadine at the Trident, a bar in Sausalito, Calif., in the 1970s. Rumor has it that the Rolling Stones loved the sunrise-hued drink so much, it worked its way into the unofficial nickname of their 1972 tour. Soon after, the Eagles wrote their eponymous song. You only need a few ingredients to get the look for which this refreshing drink is famous: tequila, orange juice and grenadine, which is slowly poured in as it settles at the bottom of the glass and creates a ruby red base for the rising sun.

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Ingredients

Yield:1 drink

Ingredients

2ounces blanco tequila
4ounces orange juice (preferably freshly squeezed)
½ ounce (1 tablespoon) grenadine
Orange slice, for serving
Maraschino cherry, for serving

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

Step 1
Place a highball glass in the freezer to chill for 10 minutes. Once chilled, fill the glass with ice. Add the tequila and orange juice and stir to mix. Without tilting the glass, slowly add the grenadine from one side, so it settles at the bottom. Do not stir. (Alternatively, you can hold a small spoon inverted over the glass and slowly pour the grenadine over it.) Garnish with an orange slice and top with the cherry.

Ratings

4 out of 5

111 user ratings

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Scout8 months ago

I enjoyed this cocktail very much. Only issue I had was my grenadine ( tried 2 different brands) didn’t create the ombre look shown in the photo. It mainly sunk to the bottom and was barely noticeable.

Andrew1 month ago

Try swapping Aperitivo Select for the grenadine--it is a big improvement.

BCookie2 months ago

My experience with this drink is that its success very much depends on the orange juice used. Anything not fresh will make a cloyingly sweet and heavy drink. The key is freshly squeezed Valencia orange juice. I'm fortunate to live in California where I can be so picky, but only in Valencia orange season. I don't drink a Sunrise other times of the year. I'm not sure where that cherry garnish came from. Hard no from me on that.

James P7 months ago

I did not have luck with Grenadine so I switched to the original Cassis. So much better.

NaughtyVicar7 months ago

Also good is a Tequila Sunset which replaces the grenadine with cranberry juice. The cranberry juice floats on the top creating the reddish glow of a sunset.

Doug M.7 months ago

If you want to sub Campari by all means do so. Personally I think grenadine is too sweet here and something slightly bitter would be welcome. (See the Garibaldi, here in NYT Cooking.)

Mike7 months ago

Cn you substitute Campari for the Grenadine?

Kay7 months ago

I wouldn't think so.. Campari is not very sweet and is more aggressive than the Grenadine. If you try it, let everyone know how it turned out..

Scout8 months ago

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