Tequila sunrise (cocktail) facts for kids
| IBA official cocktail | |
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A tequila sunrise showing its colors, like a sunrise
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| Type | Mixed drink |
| Primary alcohol by volume | |
| Served | On the rocks; poured over ice |
| Standard garnish | orange slice and cherry |
| Standard drinkware |
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| IBA specified ingredients  |
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| Preparation | Pour the tequila and orange juice into glass over ice. Add the grenadine, which will sink to the bottom. Stir gently to create the sunrise effect. Garnish and serve. |
| Tequila sunrise recipe at International Bartenders Association |
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The Tequila Sunrise is a colorful mixed drink. It gets its name because it looks like a sunrise with bright layers of color. It's made with tequila, orange juice, and grenadine syrup. The drink is usually served in a tall glass, showing off its beautiful layers. The modern version of this drink became popular in the early 1970s in Sausalito, California.
Contents
History
The very first Tequila Sunrise recipe was a bit different. It was created by Gene Sulit in the 1930s or 1940s at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel. That early version used tequila, a syrup called creme de cassis, lime juice, and soda water.
The version we know today, with orange juice and grenadine, was made in the early 1970s. Two young bartenders, Bobby Lozoff and Billy Rice, created it at the Trident restaurant in Sausalito, California. In 1972, a famous music promoter named Bill Graham had a party. The band Rolling Stones were there. They tried the new Tequila Sunrise and really liked it! Soon, the drink became very popular all over America.
Because the drink was so popular, a company called Jose Cuervo saw a chance to share the recipe. In 1973, they printed the Tequila Sunrise recipe on the back of their tequila bottles. This helped even more people learn about the colorful drink. That same year, the band Eagles even recorded a song called "Tequila Sunrise" for their album Desperado. Later, in 1988, a successful movie also called Tequila Sunrise was released.
How to Make It
The Tequila Sunrise is known as a "long drink" because it's usually served in a tall glass, like a collins or highball glass. It's also recognized as an IBA Official Cocktail by the International Bartender Association.
To make this drink, you first pour the tequila and ice into the glass. Then, you add the orange juice. The special part is adding the grenadine syrup last. It's heavier, so it sinks to the bottom, creating the beautiful red layer. To get the best "sunrise" look, you can gently pour the grenadine down the side of the glass. This helps it settle at the bottom without mixing too much with the orange juice.
Different Versions
Many different versions of the Tequila Sunrise have been created by changing some of the ingredients:
- Aperol sunrise – Uses Aperol orange liqueur instead of grenadine.
- Tequila sunset – Uses blackberry brandy or dark rum instead of grenadine. This gives it a darker, "sunset" look.
- Caribbean sunrise – Uses rum instead of tequila.
- Vodka (or Russian) sunrise – Uses vodka instead of tequila.
- Southern sunrise – Uses a drink called Southern Comfort instead of tequila.
- Astronaut sunrise – Uses Tang drink mix instead of orange juice.
- Amaretto sunrise – Uses Disaronno amaretto instead of tequila.
- Florida sunrise – Uses equal amounts of pineapple and orange juice.
- Panama sunrise – Uses pineapple juice instead of orange juice.
- Red Sea sunrise – This is a non-alcoholic version. It uses lemonade or Sprite instead of tequila.
- Enamorada sunrise – Uses Campari instead of grenadine syrup.
- Colorado sunrise – Uses Captain Morgan and Sunny Delight instead of tequila and orange juice.
- Goon sunrise – Uses box wine instead of tequila.
- Arizona Biltmore tequila sunrise – This version uses Hornitos Plata tequila, creme de cassis, fresh lime juice, and club soda. It's similar to the original recipe from the Arizona Biltmore Hotel.
See also
In Spanish: Tequila Sunrise para niños
