A vibrant, tropical Tequila Sunrise cocktail is a pretty, yet ironic way, to toast the end of the day. (Because if you’re drinking these at sunrise, you’re in for an interesting day!) This is a great cocktail recipe for people who don’t usually drink tequila but want to give it a try.

Tequila Sunrise Cocktail

Let’s just get this out of the way: you do not have to like tequila to like a tequila sunrise.

In fact, the first time I had one – I was shocked that there was even tequila in it!

I was on an exceptionally bad date, the kind where you realize about 10 minutes in that it’s not going to go anywhere, but it’s way too early to gracefully excuse yourself so you start timing things so that you can execute the perfect exit strategy.

Almost everything either of us brought up for conversation ending up falling flat, so we quickly turned our attention to our drinks. We even got the bartender in on our bad date, entertaining us with stories from behind the bar and also giving us cocktail tips.

That night, I learned how to make a great tequila sunrise, the importance of good quality tequila – and to always have a friend call or text you within the first 10 minutes of a date to help bail you out, if needed.

This tequila sunrise cocktail is sweet, fruity and tropical. Funny enough, it has many of the same ingredients as my popular Jamaican Rum Punch Cocktail, but the tequila gives it a bit of an edge that makes it taste completely different. (I’ve included the video for my Jamaican Rum Punch since they are assembled the same way.)

Make sure you have plenty of ice on hand for this cocktail, it helps smooth some of the aspects of tequila that non-tequila drinkers may find harsh. Also, a good silver tequila (none of that amber colored stuff) will have a smoother taste and less of a kick. Moonshine is also a good replacement for tequila if your liquor store doesn’t have a good silver tequila available in your price range.

Tip: I often order my liquor from Drizly because they have a quick delivery time (sometimes within 40 minutes) and no expensive mark-ups. Purchasing from them supports local retailers, too. You can order the Tequila needed for this recipe from them.

Ingredients for Tequila Sunrise

For an individual serving:

• Orange Juice
• Pineapple Juice
• Grenadine Syrup <– I often just use the juice from the maraschino cherry jar
• Maraschino Cherry, for garnish
• Tequila
• Lots of ice

Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.

For a pitcher of Tequila Sunrises:

• 3 cups orange juice
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1 cup grenadine syrup
• Maraschino cherries, for garnish
• 1 cup tequila
• Lots of ice

Tip: use a good quality silver tequila to make this cocktail smooth and enjoyable.

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

• Cocktail shaker or pitcher
• Liquid measure
• Hurricane glasses –> this is a great deal for 4 hurricane glasses and a pitcher
• Ice maker
• Paper straws

I really loved using my gorgeous Omishome Bartending Kit to make this recipe. The pretty bamboo holder contains all of the tools you need to make perfect cocktails, and those pretty gold tools add a touch of class to your home bar set-up.

How to Make a Tequila Sunrise Cocktail

In a cocktail shaker, mix orange juice and tequila.

Add the grenadine to the bottom of a mason jar and fill the glass with ice.

Carefully pour the spike orange juice over the ice, and top with pineapple juice.

Top with a cherry, orange slice or pineapple slice as desired and serve immediately.

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Grab your free printable recipe card for our tequila sunrise cocktail recipe:

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Yield: 1 cocktail

Tequila Sunrise

Print

A tequila sunrise cocktail is a delicious way to enjoy tequila - even if you're not usually a fan. This recipe is cold, refreshing and citrusy, with just the right amount of kick and sweetness

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice
• 2 oz grenadine syrup
• 1 maraschino cherry for garnish
• 2 oz tequila
• Lots of ice

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, mix orange juice and tequila.
2. Add the grenadine to the bottom of a mason jar and fill the glass with ice.
3. Carefully pour the spike orange juice over the ice, and top with pineapple juice.
4. Top with a cherry, orange slice or pineapple slice as desired and serve immediately.

Notes

For a pitcher of tequila sunrises:

• 3 cups orange juice
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1 cup grenadine syrup
• Maraschino cherries, for garnish
• 1 cup tequila
• Lots of ice

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Bormioli Rocco (Set of 4) Cocktail Glasses Tulip Shaped - 17 Ounce Pina Colada Glass, Hurricane Glasses for Drinking Full Bodied Beer, Water, Juice, Lead-Free Bar Glass Italian Crafted Beer Glasses
• 
  Amazon Brand - Happy Belly Maraschino Cherries in Glass Jar, 10 Ounce
• 
  Omishome Complete Bartender Mixology Kit - Elegant Gold Finish Stainless Steel Cocktail Shaker Set with Bamboo Stand and 6 BONUS Sturdy Stainless Steel Straws - A Superb Bartending Set
• 
  Simply Orange Juice, 52 fl oz, 100% Juice Not from Concentrate, Pulp Free
• 
  el Jimador Silver Tequila, 750 ml, 80 Proof

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 405Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 19mgCarbohydrates: 67gFiber: 1gSugar: 50gProtein: 2g

Sugar, Spice and Glitter uses an auto-generate nutrition calculator. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate unless analyzed in a scientific lab, so these should be considered more of a guideline than medical information.

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This fruity and tropical tequila sunrise cocktail is a pretty cocktail for parties, and an enjoyable way to drink tequila – even if you’re not a tequila drinker!

For more delicious tequila cocktails, check out our Frozen Strawberry Margaritas.