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Refreshing summer drinks Cocktail hour

Tequila Sunrise

Published: 04.10.2022 » Last updated: 07.26.2022

Tequila Sunrise is a layered drink. The denser Grenadine sinks to the bottom of the glass to mimic the red hues of sunrise while the paler juices emulate the lightening morning sky.

Tequila sunrise garnished with a slice of orange

I’ve always thought that Tequila Sunrise got its name from the very town where tequila is primarily produced. The town of Tequila in Mexico is in an area with red volcanic soil and a sunrise there would probably have the colors of this cocktail drink that the world has come to adore. But there are two anecdotes worth reading.

The cocktail was created at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa circa late 1930s-early 1940s.  A frequent guest who loved tequila asked the bartender, Gene Sulit, to surprise him with a refreshing drink he could enjoy poolside. The iconic Tequila Sunrise–blending soda and tequila with Crème de Cassis and fresh lime juice–was born.

From an archived page of Cocktail Atlas

Now, that dosn’t sound like the Tequila Sunrise we know today, is it? Where is the orange juice to begin with? The version with the orange juice was concocted in the 1970s, and closely associated with rock ‘n’ roll and Mick Jagger. The drink became so popular that it was immortalized in a song and a movie.

Full recipe below

Tequila Sunrise

Connie Veneracion
There's white Tequila and there's gold Tequila. Gold is traditional for making this drink.
Lime juice gives the drink its signature tang. Grenadine is sweet and so is juice from a very ripe orange. Without the lime juice, Tequila Sunrise just tastes flat.
Tequila sunrise
Print
Prep Time 2 mins
Cook Time 0 mins
Total Time 2 mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine International
Servings 1 glass

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lime
  • 4 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • 1 ½ tablespoons Gold Tequila
  • 1 teaspoon Grenadine

Instructions
 

  • Drop three ice cubes into a glass.
  • Squeeze the lime directly into the glass.
  • Pour in the orange juice and Gold Tequila.
  • Place a spoon, upside down, over the glass and pour the Grenadine over the back of the spoon so that the dense liquid sinks to the bottom of the glass.
  • Garnish with lime or orange slices, if you like.
  • Serve at once.

Notes

Updated from a recipe originally published in April 29, 2012
Print
Keyword Cocktails, Grenadine, Tequila

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Connie Veneracion, Chiang Mai, 2020

Hi, I’m Connie!

Welcome to Umami Days, a blog that advocates innovative home cooking for pleasurable everyday dining. No trendy diets, no food fads and definitely no ludicrous recipe names like crustless quiche, noodleless pho or chocolate lasagna.

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