Tequila Sunrise

Name: Tequila Sunrise Cocktail Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 oz Old Mr. Boston Tequila; 4 oz Orange Juice; 3/4 oz Grenadine

A Tequila Sunrise is a layered cocktail combining tequila and fresh orange juice topped with grenadine that sinks to create a striking sunrise effect. The drink is refreshing, visually dramatic, and simple to make at home.

🏷️Equipment: highball glass

Total

5 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$10–$16

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Mr. Boston Drinks · by Mr. Boston Deluxe Official Bartender's Guide

Ingredients

2 oz Old Mr. Boston Tequila
4 oz Orange Juice

3/4 oz Grenadine

3 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Stir tequila and orange juice with ice and strain into highball glass.
2
Add ice cubes.
3
Pour in grenadine slowly and allow to settle.
4
Before drinking, stir to complete your Sunrise.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Pour grenadine slowly over the back of a bar spoon to create clean layers rather than mixing it in immediately.
Use fresh-squeezed orange juice for better flavor and clarity than pre-packaged juice.
Chill your glass before pouring to keep the drink cold longer without over-diluting it.
Serve with an orange slice and cherry for garnish to enhance the sunrise visual.

Substitutions

Grenadine → pomegranate syrup (similar density and flavor, slight tartness difference)
Orange juice → fresh grapefruit juice (sweeter variation, less traditional)
Old Mr. Boston tequila → any silver tequila (substitutes smoothly, flavor profile similar)

Storage & make-ahead

Best served immediately after assembly. Pre-mixed tequila and juice can be refrigerated for up to 2 days; add grenadine only when serving.

Equipment

cocktail shaker · bar spoon · jigger

Common Questions

What causes the sunrise effect in a Tequila Sunrise?

Grenadine is denser than the other ingredients and sinks to the bottom when poured slowly over the back of a bar spoon, creating the distinctive red-to-orange gradient.

Should a Tequila Sunrise be shaken or stirred?

Shake the tequila and orange juice with ice, then strain into a glass over fresh ice and slowly pour the grenadine down the back of a spoon to preserve the layered look.