Tequila Sunrise: an easy, tasty, eye-catching cocktail for any occasion

With its ultra-refreshing, sweet flavor a Tequila Sunrise always hits the spot. This easy-to-make classic cocktail is made from just three ingredients: silver tequila, orange juice, and grenadine. It gets its name from the beautiful layer of grenadine, which merges into the orange juice, resembling a sunrise.

The Tequila Sunrise is thought to have first been invented in the 1930s or 40s by Gene Sulit, a bartender at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel. The version we know and love today was honed during the 1970s at The Trident restaurant in Sausalito, California. Tequila Sunrises are great cocktails for parties but just as delicious as a single cocktail or two when you're unwinding at the end of the day.

Tips for the Best Tequila Sunrise

Use blanco (aka silver) tequila for your Tequila Sunrises.

For the best flavor, use freshly squeezed orange juice. If you don't have fresh-squeezed OJ, juice from the carton will work, too.

Swap out OJ for blood orange, clementine, or tangelo juice.

Don't be tempted to stir your Tequila Sunrise. The main attraction of this cocktail (besides its delicious taste) is the layers that give it its name.

Add a spritz of lime or lemon juice if your Tequila Sunrise is too sweet.

Hosting a party? You can pre-batch Tequila Sunrise. Simply use this ratio: 1 part tequila to 2 parts orange juice. Pour the grenadine into the serving glasses with ice, then pour the tequila orange juice mixture into the serving glasses.

How to Make a Tequila Sunrise

Fill a highball glass with ice.

Pour the tequila over the ice.

Add the orange juice.

Stir.

Slowly pour in the grenadine along the side of the glass. Don't stir.

Garnish with orange slice.

Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Serve and enjoy!