American · Drinks · SAMPLE RECIPE

Tequila Sunrise · orange & grenadine

Tequila and fresh orange juice sit above a red grenadine glow in a tall, fruity cocktail served over ice.

From The Saucey Life kitchen • Serves 2

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Tequila Sunrise in a tall highball glass over irregular ice, with a red grenadine base fading into orange juice and an orange half-slice — AI-generated serving inspiration for a sample recipe.

PREP10 min

TOTAL10 min

SERVES2

A NOTE FROM THE KITCHEN

Add the grenadine last.

Contains alcohol. This familiar orange-juice version follows the IBA proportions. Grenadine is a sweet syrup, traditionally flavored with pomegranate; it provides the red layer and is not a cherry liqueur.

Ready to get started? The ingredients and steps are right below.

LET’S MAKE SOMETHING GOOD

Tequila Sunrise · orange & grenadine

Sample recipe awaiting kitchen testing. Timings are estimates. Contains alcohol.

The good part

Check off each step as you cook.

Prepare the orange juice.Squeeze the oranges, strain out large pieces of pulp, and measure the juice. Cut the orange half-slices for the garnish.
Build over ice.Fill highball glasses with ice. Divide the tequila and orange juice evenly among them and stir gently to combine.
Create the sunrise.Slowly pour an equal share of grenadine down the inside edge of each glass. Let the syrup sink and spread at the bottom without stirring it into the orange layer.
Finish and serve.Add one orange half-slice to each glass and serve immediately.

0 of 4 steps complete

BEHIND THE DISH · California and international tequila cocktails

Tequila Sunrise · orange & grenadineBeyond the plate.

Orange juice and a red syrup layer give this tall drink its familiar sunrise appearance.

ORIGINS & EVOLUTION

A California association for the modern drink.

The familiar orange-juice Tequila Sunrise is associated with the Trident in Sausalito and bartenders Bobby Lozoff and Billy Rice. Older drinks shared the name but used different ingredients. The modern preparation became especially well known during the 1970s.

CULTURAL CONTEXT

The color follows the method.

Grenadine sinks through the orange mixture and gathers at the bottom. Leaving it unstirred preserves the transition from red to orange; stirring produces a more even color and sweetness.

AT THE TABLE

Three measured liquids and fresh orange.

Our IBA-style version uses blanco tequila, freshly squeezed orange juice, and ready-made grenadine. The tequila and juice are mixed over ice before the syrup goes in. An orange half-slice is the only garnish.

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