The Tequila Sunrise is aptly named, as its colors and their gradation resemble a beautiful sunrise. The yellows gently give way to the deeper hues of orange, and sometimes the bottom of the glass may be touched by crimson.

If you were to order a Tequila Sunrise, it is likely that you will receive a cool, delicious and refreshing cocktail made with tequila, orange juice and grenadine syrup. The drink is not mixed, and thus the colors at sunrise seem to be suspended in the tall glass.

The Original Tequila Sunrise Recipe

The original Tequila Sunrise, which was invented in the 1930s, had a recipe that was quite different from the modern day version. This cocktail recipe required tequila, lime juice, edi de cassis and soda water. In the 1970s the cocktail was served with a new twist. The orange juice offered a beautiful shade of yellow, which complemented the deep red of the grenadine syrup.
The cocktail is served in a highball glass and is considered a long drink. The official International Bartender Association recipe specifies the ingredients and the ratio in which they are to be added to make the cocktail. So, if you were to pour three parts tequila into a glass over ice, and then add six parts orange juice, followed by one part grenadine syrup, you would create the perfect Tequila Sunrise. Once the syrup has settled at the bottom of the glass, you can gently and slowly stir the drink to create that perfect flow of colors that the Tequila Sunrise tries to capture.

Variations of the Cocktail

The Tequila Sunrise is such a popular cocktail that bartenders and patrons cannot get enough of it. There are many variations that have been tried and tested. Some such recipes replace the orange juice with another fruit juice. And sometimes the tequila is replaced with other alcohol such as vodka. Sometimes campari may be used to substitute grenadine syrup. However, the official Tequila Sunrise recipe seems to be favored by bartenders across the globe. To make a non alcoholic version of the cocktail, just use lemonade instead of tequila.

Tips on Making and Serving Tequila Sunrise

The Tequila Sunrise is a refreshing and delicious drink that carries quite a punch. A great way to prepare this cocktail is by using freshly squeezed orange juice. The store bought variety tends to be thicker. You may like to mix the tequila and the orange juice before you pour it into the glass, over the ice. This way you will need to stir the drink very little, and create that perfect ombre effect.