May 26, 2024

Tequila Sunrise

Tequila Sunrise is an iconic cocktail consisting of tequila, orange juice and grenadine. It was originally created by bartender Gene Sulit and served at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona in the 1930’s-40’s. The original version consisted of tequila, creme de cassis (a blackcurrant liqueur), lime juice and soda water. It was recreated in the early 1970’s by Bobby Lozoff and Billy Rice, bartenders at the Trident in Sausalito, California into the version we all know and love today. Mick Jagger tried one at a party the Trident organized to kick off the Rolling Stones 1972 tour in America and loved it. Mick and his entourage liked the cocktail so much they ordered it all across America and dubbed the tour “the cocaine and tequila sunrise tour”. Picking up on this trend, Jose Cuervo printed the recipe on the back of their bottles of tequila and of course, there was the iconic Eagles song of the same name. It is an IBA official cocktail designated by The International Bartender Association. Enjoy!

Equipment Needed:

  • Jigger
  • Hurricane glass
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Spoon
  • Cocktail pick
  • Straw

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Tequila (Blanco/Silver- I used Espolon)
  • 4 oz Orange Juice
  • 1/2 oz Grenadine
  • Ice
  • 1/2 Orange Wheel
  • Maraschino Cherry

Method:

  1. Make the garnish. Cut a 1/2-inch orange wheel from the center of an orange, cut in half (you can cut into a wedge shape if using a large orange) and make a slit from center to end to sit onto glass. Cut down a wooden or bamboo cocktail pick leaving about 1/3. Pierce through the cherry, then pierce through the top of the orange slice. Set aside.
  2. Make the cocktail. Add 2 oz tequila to a hurricane glass filled with ice.
  3. Add orange juice (you may need to add more depending on glass size)
  4. Slowly add the grenadine over a spoon on top (this will sink to the bottom and create the sunrise effect)
  5. Garnish with orange wheel and cherry. Add a straw. Cheers!

For the mocktail:

Follow all steps as described except omit the tequila in step 2 and/or substitute with a non-alcohol version such as Ritual Zero Proof. Cheers!

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