Tequila Sunrise Recipe: How to Make a Tequila Sunrise

Margaritas aren’t the only cocktail made from tequila. The tequila sunrise cocktail has been a popular choice at bars since the 1970s when the lead singer of the Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger, made this his choice drink. While most bars can easily serve you a tequila sunrise drink, you can also learn how to make a tequila sunrise in your own kitchen. With just a few simple ingredients, this is one of the easiest stay at home chef recipes to master, and once summer cookouts and pool parties start, knowing how to make a tequila sunrise will seriously impress your friends.

What’s in a Tequila Sunrise

There are three basic ingredients in a tequila sunrise recipe: tequila, orange juice, and grenadine syrup. Grenadine is a non-alcoholic syrup used in a number of different cocktails. Made from pomegranate juice, it’s both tart and sweet. For a tequila sunrise recipe, you’ll only need a tablespoon of grenadine, so you won’t need to add it to your grocery list often. Since orange juice and tequila are more common to have on hand, this is one of the easiest stay at home chef recipes to make on a whim. What makes this simple list of what’s in a tequila sunrisedrink into such an iconic cocktail is the fact that they’re not stirred or shaken together. By layering the tequila sunrise ingredients on top of each other, you’ll create that signature sunrise look.

The Best Tequila for Tequila Sunrise

To choose the best tequila for tequila sunrise, it’s important to know what kind you like best. While the difference in color will affect the appearance of the tequila sunrise cocktail, both silver and gold will look great in your glass. Unlike silver tequila, reposado tequila has been aged in a barrel for two months to a year, giving it a caramel color and smoother taste. While the añejo tequilas that have been aged longer and are considered better, they aren’t the kind of tequila to mix into a tequila sunrise recipe. For the flavor and smoothness of an aged tequila, gold tequila has additives that mimic the aged liquors without the higher price tag. Another thing to consider when choosing the best tequila for tequila sunrise is the quality. Not all silver tequilas are the same. Becoming familiar with brands and looking for a reasonable price point will help you find the ideal tequila to compliment the other tequila sunrise ingredients.

Tequila Sunrise Ingredients

3 ounces orange juice
1 ounce tequila
1 tablespoon grenadine
Ice
1 cherry
1 orange slice

How to Make a Tequila Sunrise Cocktail

Fill your glass with as much ice as you would like.
Pour the tequila over the ice.
Add the orange juice slowly so that it doesn’t mix with the tequila.
Add the grenadine on top as its own layer. Remember not to mix in order to create the sunrise look.
Garnish the glass with the cherry and orange. Enjoy!

With no need to stir and a short list of what’s in a tequila sunrise drink, this is one of the simplest stay at home chef recipes to learn. It’ll give you something new to try as you relax at home or while you try out a new Mexican recipe, and once summer parties start happening, you’ll be able to show off your new bartending skills.