Tequila Sunrise Recipe: How to Build the Layered Classic

By Aquarium Guides Editorial Team · Updated November 10, 2026

Last Updated: November 10, 2026

A tequila sunrise is made with 2 ounces of tequila, 4 ounces of orange juice, and a half ounce of grenadine, built over ice so the grenadine sinks and creates a red-to-orange gradient. It is a built drink, not a shaken one, and the visual effect depends on pouring the grenadine slowly down the side of the glass.

Ingredients

• 2 oz blanco tequila
• 4 oz fresh orange juice
• 0.5 oz grenadine
• Ice
• Orange slice and maraschino cherry for garnish

Instructions

1. Fill a highball glass about three-quarters full with ice.
2. Pour in the tequila.
3. Add the orange juice and stir briefly to combine.
4. Slowly pour the grenadine down the inside edge of the glass, or over the back of a bar spoon. It will sink to the bottom.
5. Do not stir. Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry, and add a straw.

How the Gradient Works

Grenadine is a dense pomegranate-based syrup. Because it is heavier than orange juice and tequila, it sinks when poured gently. As it falls, thin streaks of red rise through the orange, which looks like a sunrise. If you stir it, the colors blend into a uniform pink-orange drink that tastes the same but loses the look. Many drinkers stir it with their straw as they sip, which is perfectly fine.

Choosing Ingredients

Tequila

Blanco, or silver, tequila is the traditional choice and gives a clean agave flavor. A reposado adds light oak and vanilla notes that pair nicely with orange. Look for bottles labeled 100 percent agave.

Orange Juice

Fresh-squeezed juice has more brightness and less sugar than concentrate. If using bottled juice, pick one that is not from concentrate and skip any with added sweetener.

Grenadine

Real grenadine is made from pomegranate juice and sugar. Many commercial versions are mostly corn syrup and red dye, which taste candy-like. Making your own is easy: simmer equal parts pomegranate juice and sugar until dissolved, then cool.

Variations

Mezcal Sunrise

Swap the tequila for mezcal. The smoke adds a savory edge that balances the sweet juice.

Pineapple Sunrise

Use 2 ounces of orange juice and 2 ounces of pineapple juice for a tropical version.

Blackberry Sunrise

Replace grenadine with 0.5 ounce of blackberry liqueur. The drink becomes deep purple at the base.

Sparkling Sunrise

Reduce the juice to 3 ounces and top with 1 ounce of sparkling wine or club soda.

Frozen Tequila Sunrise

Blend the tequila and orange juice with a cup of ice until smooth, pour into a glass, and drizzle the grenadine through the center.

Spicy Sunrise

Add two slices of jalapeno to the shaker or glass with the tequila, let them infuse for a minute, then build as usual.

Sunrise Compared to Similar Drinks

Glassware and Garnish

A tall highball or Collins glass shows off the gradient best. Clear, straight-sided glass is better than a tapered one because the layers stay distinct. A fresh orange half-wheel on the rim and a single cherry on a pick finish the presentation. Pack the glass with ice so the layers stay cold and keep their shape.

Food Pairings

This is a classic brunch drink, so it matches eggs, breakfast burritos, chilaquiles, and fruit salads. The sweetness also balances spicy tacos al pastor and grilled shrimp with chili-lime seasoning. For snacks, try chips with fresh pineapple salsa.

Batching for a Crowd

Mix the tequila and juice in a pitcher in a 1 to 2 ratio and chill. At service, pour over ice in each glass and add the grenadine individually. Adding it per glass preserves the layered look.

Enjoy sensibly and drink responsibly, since juice-based drinks can hide the strength of the tequila.

The Story Behind the Drink

The tequila sunrise has two histories. An earlier version made in Phoenix in the 1930s combined tequila, lime juice, creme de cassis, and soda. The version most people know today emerged in the early 1970s at a California resort bar, where a bartender built it with tequila, orange juice, and grenadine. It became widely famous after the Rolling Stones toured in 1972 and associated themselves with the drink, and it then showed up on menus across the country.

How to Make Homemade Grenadine

1. Pour 1 cup of 100 percent pomegranate juice into a small saucepan.
2. Add 1 cup of granulated sugar.
3. Warm gently, stirring, until the sugar dissolves completely. Do not boil.
4. Add a few drops of orange blossom water if you like.
5. Cool, bottle, and refrigerate for up to three weeks.

Homemade grenadine is tart and fruity, and its deeper flavor makes the drink taste less like a children’s soda and more like a real cocktail.

Troubleshooting

• If the layers blur, chill the juice first and pour the grenadine more slowly.
• If the drink is too sweet, reduce grenadine to 0.25 ounce or add a squeeze of lime.
• If it tastes flat, use fresher juice and larger ice cubes.
• If pulp clogs the straw, strain the orange juice first.

Serving Ideas for Brunch

For a brunch spread, set out pitchers of chilled orange juice, a bottle of tequila, a small bottle of grenadine, and a bowl of ice. Guests can assemble their own drinks, and you can set out sliced oranges, cherries, and cocktail picks for garnishes. A virgin version made with the same juice and grenadine, plus a splash of sparkling water, lets everyone join in.

Balancing Sweetness

The main complaint about this drink is that it can taste like orange soda. Several adjustments help. Cut the grenadine to a quarter ounce, add a squeeze of lime to bring acidity, and use fresh orange juice with some natural tartness. A reposado tequila adds body and a little spice that keeps the sweetness in check. You can also add a dash of orange bitters, which contributes a dry, aromatic edge without changing the color.

When using bottled juice, check that it is chilled and shake the carton before pouring. Cold ingredients help preserve the layers and reduce dilution from melting ice.

FAQ

Do you shake or stir a tequila sunrise?

Neither is required. It is built in the glass, with a light stir of the tequila and juice, and the grenadine is poured last without mixing.

What does a tequila sunrise taste like?

It tastes like sweet orange juice with a mild agave kick and a pomegranate-cherry sweetness at the bottom.

Can I use triple sec?

You can add a quarter ounce for extra orange flavor, but it is not part of the traditional recipe.

Why did my grenadine mix instead of sinking?

You likely poured too fast or the glass had too little ice. Pour slowly against the glass wall or over a spoon.

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