Build over cubed ice and stir gently
Paloma
Peppery tequila, tart lime, and sparkling pink grapefruit.
Build over cubed ice and sink the grenadine without stirring
Tequila Sunrise
A vivid highball built over ice, with grenadine left unstirred so its red layer rises gradually through orange juice.
Edited by CocktailSteps Editorial Team
- Time
- 3 minutes
- Level
- Easy
- Glass
- Highball
- Approx. ABV
- 10% · Low-medium
- Tradition
- American
- Profile
- Sweet · Citrus
Ingredient totals
Ingredients
Amounts below make one drink. The method, Quick Check, and guided Make use these one-glass amounts.
1.5 ozBlanco tequilaRecommended brandEspolòn Blanco
3 ozFresh orange juiceRecommended brandFresh Valencia oranges
0.5 ozGrenadineRecommended brandLiber & Co. Real Grenadine
1 sliceOrange half-sliceOptionalRecommended brandSunkist Navel Orange
Measured method · one drink
How to make Tequila Sunrise
These steps make one glass. For more drinks, use the ingredient totals above to set up, then repeat this method for each serving.
- 01
Add the tequila
Cubed ice · 1½ oz blanco tequila
Pour 1½ oz blanco tequila into a highball glass prepared with cubed ice.
Add the tequila visual check - 02
Add the orange juice
3 oz fresh orange juice
Pour 3 oz fresh orange juice over the tequila.
Add the orange juice visual check - 03
Sink the grenadine
½ oz grenadine
Pour ½ oz grenadine slowly down the inside of the glass so it settles at the base.
Sink the grenadine visual check - 04
Finish with orange
1 orange half-slice
Set 1 fresh orange half-slice securely on the rim.
Finish with orange visual check
Pour 1½ oz blanco tequila into a highball glass prepared with cubed ice.
AI-assisted illustration of one step. Follow the measured method above; sound is optional.Key move
Pour grenadine slowly down the glass so it settles beneath the orange layer
Technique note
Why this build works
Orange juice gives this highball its largest liquid measure, while the smaller grenadine pour supplies concentrated sweetness and the red sunrise effect. Adding grenadine last and slowly lets it sink through the tequila-orange base rather than dispersing immediately. The resulting gradient also means sweetness is layered. This version preserves that presentation; a gentle stir before drinking will make the flavor more even at the cost of the gradient.
Common failure points
- The whole glass turns uniformly red.
- Add grenadine after the tequila and orange juice, guiding it slowly down the inside of the glass. Avoid stirring after that pour if the gradient is the goal.
- The bottom tastes overwhelmingly sweet.
- Measure the grenadine at ½ ounce rather than pouring until the color looks dark enough. The layered drink concentrates syrup at the base; gently mix it for more even sweetness if preferred.
Measure or substitute
Reposado tequila works at 1½ ounces but adds oak character. Pomegranate-based grenadine and brightly colored commercial syrups vary in tartness and sugar; check the bottle. Unsweetened pomegranate juice is thinner and will not reproduce the same syrup layer.
Recipe references
These references describe the drink or its ingredients. Our measured build and teaching notes are CocktailSteps adaptations; proportions and methods may differ from the reference.
Set the station
Tools
JiggerRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom Japanese Style Jigger
Highball glassRecommended brandRIEDEL Drink Specific Highball
Choose your bottle
Bottle buying guide
Best fit is our default. Spend less with Smart buy, or choose Upgrade when you want more character.
Blanco tequila
Know the pour
Low-medium
A measured pour of tequila is lengthened with twice as much orange juice.
Contains alcohol. Serve only to adults of legal drinking age and enjoy responsibly.
