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United States (Arizona / California, mid-20th century) · American / Mexican

Tequila Sunrise (Tequila, Orange & Grenadine)

The drink that looks like a sunrise — tequila and orange juice over ice, with grenadine sunk to the bottom so it bleeds up red into gold. Simple, fruity and all about the build, not the stir.

By Table & Traditions Editors

Published June 26, 2026

A tall Tequila Sunrise over ice with a red grenadine gradient rising into golden orange juice, orange wheel and cherry.

Named for the layered red-to-gold gradient that mimics a sunrise, the modern version was popularised in early-1970s California and carried to fame by the Rolling Stones' 1972 tour. It's a build-in-the-glass highball where the grenadine, heavier than juice, sinks and slowly rises — the whole appeal is visual.

Yield
Makes 1
Prep
3 min
Cook
0 min
Total
About 3 min
Difficulty
Easy

The Tequila Sunrise is as much a picture as a drink: tequila and orange juice over ice, with grenadine sunk to the bottom and bleeding up red into gold. The whole charm is the build — get the layers right and it looks exactly like its name.

Don’t stir the grenadine

This is the one rule. Pour the grenadine in last, slowly, down the side of the glass, and leave it. Because it’s heavier than the juice it sinks and rises on its own, making the sunrise gradient. A stir turns the whole thing flat orange.

Fresh orange juice

Fresh-squeezed keeps it bright and stops it tasting like a sweet breakfast drink. Carton juice works but leans flat and sugary.

A picture you can drink

Serve it un-stirred so the gradient shows, with a straw so the drinker can mix it themselves. For an orange-and-bubbles brunch drink instead, see the Mimosa. More in the Drinks guide.

Ingredients

Makes
1
  • 50 ml (1.75 oz) blanco (silver) 100% agave tequila
  • 120 ml (4 oz) fresh orange juice Fresh-squeezed makes a far brighter drink than carton juice.
  • 10 ml (0.33 oz) grenadine Real pomegranate grenadine, added last — it's heavier than the juice, so it sinks and bleeds upward.
  • orange wheel and a cherry, to garnish
  • ice

Method

Tap a step’s number to check it off as you go.

  1. Fill a tall glass with ice, add the tequila, then top with fresh orange juice and stir gently.

    Why: Combining the tequila and juice first gives you the gold base layer before the grenadine goes in.

  2. Slowly pour the grenadine down the inside of the glass so it sinks to the bottom — do not stir.

    Why: Grenadine is denser than juice, so left alone it settles at the bottom and slowly rises, creating the sunrise gradient. Stirring would muddy it to a flat orange.

  3. Garnish with an orange wheel and a cherry and serve with a straw.

    Why: The straw lets the drinker mix it themselves; the garnish completes the sunrise look.

A quick, anonymous tap — no review needed.

Variations

  • Tequila Sunset

    Use blackberry liqueur or blackcurrant instead of grenadine for a purple-to-gold 'sunset' gradient.

  • Fresh grenadine

    Make your own grenadine from pomegranate juice and sugar for a less artificial, deeper-flavoured drink.

  • Mezcal

    Use mezcal for a smoky twist on the sweet, fruity base.

Serving & Storage

Serve tall over ice, un-stirred so the gradient shows. Stir before drinking if you prefer it blended.

Pairs with: Nachos, Quesadillas, Brunch eggs, Fresh fruit.

Storage: Make to order — the gradient is the point and won't survive sitting. Build per glass.

Nutrition

Per serving (1 cocktail (~200 ml))

Calories
215
Protein
1 g
Carbs
26 g
Fat
0 g
Fiber
0 g
Sugar
23 g
Sodium
5 mg

Estimated using standard ingredient data. Values vary with brands and substitutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get the sunrise gradient?

Pour the grenadine in last, slowly down the side of the glass, and don't stir. Grenadine is denser than orange juice, so it sinks to the bottom and bleeds upward, giving the red-to-gold sunrise effect.

Fresh or carton orange juice?

Fresh-squeezed is noticeably brighter and less sweet, which keeps the drink from tasting flat. Good not-from-concentrate juice is a fine second choice.

What is grenadine?

Traditionally a sweet-tart syrup made from pomegranate juice and sugar. Many supermarket bottles are just coloured sugar syrup; a real pomegranate grenadine (or homemade) gives better flavour and colour.

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Further reading