I couldn’t resist sharing my Tequila Sunrise Cocktail that marries bright orange juice and a splash of grenadine into a stunning margarita-style sunset in a glass.

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I never meant for one drink to stop a room, but my Tequila Sunrise Margarita does. The burst of fresh orange juice gives it that sunlit look, and the tequila keeps it honest, not cloying.

I use blanco tequila because it keeps the flavors bright and a little cheeky, and yeah sometimes I mess up a pour and end up with something even better. People lean in, they ask what’s in the glass, they want the story.

This Tequila Sunrise Cocktail isn’t just pretty, it makes you curious, like you just caught a tiny secret.

Ingredients

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Blanco tequila brings agave bite, no carbs, just alcohol calories and warmth.
Orange liqueur adds citrus perfume, carries sugar and alcohol, not healthy.
Bright, tart lime juice gives vitamin C, almost no fiber, low calories.
Sweet orange juice adds carbs and vitamin C, some pulp but sugary.
Grenadine is syrupy, heavy sugar and color, makes drink sweet and pretty.
Liquid sweeteners boost sweetness; agave has more fructose than table sugar.
Rim salt adds sodium, enhances flavors and balances sweetness, use sparingly.
Garnishes look great, cherries are sugary preserves, orange adds aroma.
Ice chills and dilutes, controls strength, obviously zero calories or nutrients.

Ingredient Quantities

2 oz blanco tequila, or reposado if you like it smoother

1 oz Cointreau or triple sec

1 oz fresh lime juice

2 oz fresh orange juice

1/2 oz grenadine

1/2 oz agave syrup or simple syrup, optional if you like it sweeter

Ice cubes

Coarse salt for rim, optional

Orange slice and maraschino cherry for garnish (lime wedge optional)

How to Make this

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1. Chill a lowball or rocks glass in the freezer a few minutes, then rub a lime wedge around the rim and dip into coarse salt if you want a salted rim, otherwise skip it.

2. Fill a cocktail shaker about halfway with ice cubes.

3. Add 2 oz blanco tequila or reposado if you like it smoother, 1 oz Cointreau or triple sec, 1 oz fresh lime juice, 2 oz fresh orange juice, and 1/2 oz agave syrup or simple syrup only if you want it sweeter.

4. Do not add the grenadine to the shaker. Put the lid on and shake hard for about 10 to 15 seconds until well chilled.

5. Fill your prepared glass with fresh ice cubes.

6. Strain the shaken mixture into the glass over the ice.

7. Slowly pour 1/2 oz grenadine down the inside edge of the glass or over the back of a spoon so it sinks and creates that sunrise gradient.

8. Garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry, add a lime wedge if you like, drop in a straw and serve.

9. If it tastes too tart, stir in a little more agave; if its too weak add a splash more tequila next time.

10. Give it a gentle stir before you drink if you prefer the flavors mixed more, but if you like the layered look leave it as is and enjoy.

Equipment Needed

1. Lowball or rocks glass, chilled in the freezer a few minutes
2. Cocktail shaker with lid, Boston or cobbler style
3. Jigger or measuring shot glass for 1 and 2 ounce pours
4. Citrus juicer or hand reamer for fresh lime and orange juice
5. Strainer or the shaker’s built in strainer to keep ice bits out
6. Long bar spoon or a regular spoon to stir and to pour grenadine over the back of
7. Small plate for coarse salt rim, plus a sharp knife and cutting board for garnishes
8. Ice scoop or tongs and a tray or bag of ice

FAQ

2 oz blanco tequila, or reposado if you like it smoother

1 oz Cointreau or triple sec

1 oz fresh lime juice

2 oz fresh orange juice

1/2 oz grenadine

1/2 oz agave syrup or simple syrup, optional if you like it sweeter

Ice cubes

Coarse salt for rim, optional

Orange slice and maraschino cherry for garnish (lime wedge optional)

Q: Can I use reposado instead of blanco tequila? A: Yes, reposado gives a smoother, slightly oaky flavor. Blanco is brighter and more classic, so pick what you like.

Q: How do I get the layered sunrise look? A: After pouring the shaken drink, slowly pour grenadine down the side of the glass or over the back of a spoon. It sinks and then rises slowly, making the gradient. Dont stir.

Q: Can I make this drink ahead of time for a party? A: Kind of. Mix the tequila, Cointreau, lime and orange juice in a pitcher and keep chilled. Add ice and grenadine to each glass when serving so the sunrise effect stays. If you add ice too early it waters down fast.

Q: What can I use instead of grenadine? A: Pomegranate syrup or a splash of cherry syrup works in a pinch, but real grenadine gives the classic color and taste.

Q: How do I make it non alcoholic? A: Replace tequila and Cointreau with non alcoholic tequila replacement or extra orange juice and a splash of lime. Use agave if you need sweetness, and add grenadine the same way.

Q: Should I shake or stir this cocktail? A: Shake it. Shaking chills and mixes the citrus and tequila better. Then strain over fresh ice before adding grenadine.

Tequila Sunrise Margarita Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Tequila: swap blanco for reposado if you want it smoother, or try mezcal for a smoky kick, or in a pinch use silver rum — it wont be the same but it works
Orange liqueur (Cointreau / triple sec): use Grand Marnier for a richer orange and brandy note, or curaçao for a direct sub, or 1 oz orange curaçao plus a touch of simple syrup if you want it sweeter
Fresh orange juice: use blood orange juice for deeper color and flavor, or a good quality store bought 100% orange juice when your short on time, or pineapple juice for a tropical twist
Grenadine: replace with pomegranate syrup or diluted pomegranate molasses (mix 1 part molasses with 2 parts water), or use cranberry or raspberry syrup for similar color and tartness

Pro Tips

– Use fresh squeezed lime and orange, not the bottled stuff. Fresh juice brightens the drink and the color is way nicer, plus strain it if you hate pulp floating around.

– Chill everything first — glass, shaker, and even the tequila if you can. Colder ingredients mean less dilution and a sharper, cleaner flavor when you shake.

– For that sunrise look, pour the grenadine very slowly down the inside of the glass or over the back of a spoon so it sinks. Thicker grenadine or a touch more sugar helps it stay put instead of mixing right away.

– Taste and tweak in small steps. If it’s too tart add a little agave, if it’s too sweet cut back next time on syrup or orange, and adjust by quarter ounce amounts so you don’t overshoot.

– Pick good base spirits. A reposado will smooth things out and Cointreau gives a cleaner orange note than cheaper triple sec, so upgrade one of those if you want a noticeably better cocktail without breaking the bank.

Tequila Sunrise Margarita Recipe

Recipe by Sam Ecclestone

0.0 from 0 votes

I couldn't resist sharing my Tequila Sunrise Cocktail that marries bright orange juice and a splash of grenadine into a stunning margarita-style sunset in a glass.

Servings

servings

Calories

352

kcal

Equipment: 1. Lowball or rocks glass, chilled in the freezer a few minutes
2. Cocktail shaker with lid, Boston or cobbler style
3. Jigger or measuring shot glass for 1 and 2 ounce pours
4. Citrus juicer or hand reamer for fresh lime and orange juice
5. Strainer or the shaker’s built in strainer to keep ice bits out
6. Long bar spoon or a regular spoon to stir and to pour grenadine over the back of
7. Small plate for coarse salt rim, plus a sharp knife and cutting board for garnishes
8. Ice scoop or tongs and a tray or bag of ice

Ingredients

2 oz blanco tequila, or reposado if you like it smoother
1 oz Cointreau or triple sec
1 oz fresh lime juice
2 oz fresh orange juice
1/2 oz grenadine
1/2 oz agave syrup or simple syrup, optional if you like it sweeter
Ice cubes
Coarse salt for rim, optional
Orange slice and maraschino cherry for garnish (lime wedge optional)

Directions

Chill a lowball or rocks glass in the freezer a few minutes, then rub a lime wedge around the rim and dip into coarse salt if you want a salted rim, otherwise skip it.
Fill a cocktail shaker about halfway with ice cubes.
Add 2 oz blanco tequila or reposado if you like it smoother, 1 oz Cointreau or triple sec, 1 oz fresh lime juice, 2 oz fresh orange juice, and 1/2 oz agave syrup or simple syrup only if you want it sweeter.
Do not add the grenadine to the shaker. Put the lid on and shake hard for about 10 to 15 seconds until well chilled.
Fill your prepared glass with fresh ice cubes.
Strain the shaken mixture into the glass over the ice.
Slowly pour 1/2 oz grenadine down the inside edge of the glass or over the back of a spoon so it sinks and creates that sunrise gradient.
Garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry, add a lime wedge if you like, drop in a straw and serve.
If it tastes too tart, stir in a little more agave; if its too weak add a splash more tequila next time.
Give it a gentle stir before you drink if you prefer the flavors mixed more, but if you like the layered look leave it as is and enjoy.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.