This Tequila Sunrise Recipe Calls For Just 3 Ingredients—and Is Damn Delicious

The first thing you’ll notice about a tequila sunrise is its coloring: a red base that blends into orange—reminiscent, as the name suggests, of a sunrise. Garnished with a maraschino cherry and an orange slice, the tequila sunrise is an inviting, whimsical cocktail. It hails from the Arizona Biltmore, a resort hotel in Phoenix where bartender Gene Sulit invented the drink back in the 1930s. Sulit’s original version contained tequila, lime juice, soda water, and crème de cassis. It was in the 1970s that the tequila sunrise was adapted to feature orange juice and grenadine at a bar called The Trident in Sausalito, California. Given its bright, refreshing taste, it makes sense that the tequila sunrise originated in sunny Arizona and California.

For a time, the tequila sunrise was the go-to drink of The Rolling Stones, which contributed to the cocktail’s rise in popularity. And they weren’t the only rock stars who loved the drink; in 1973, The Eagles released a popular song called “Tequila Sunrise.” With the help of rock icons and their fans, the tequila sunrise became a phenomenon. 

Today, the tequila sunrise isn’t as popular as it once was, but it remains a delicious cocktail, perfect for warmer months. Plus, it’s easy to assemble, with only three ingredients: tequila, orange juice, and grenadine. For this cocktail, opt for a silver tequila, which is a young variety, transparent in color, with sweet, earthy agave notes. We recommend freshly squeezed orange juice for its fresh, tart flavor, but boxed O.J. also works. Grenadine—the pomegranate syrup—not only provides a beautiful deep red color, but also a fruity sweetness. The garnish of an orange slice and a maraschino cherry is a nice touch, but not essential. 

Are you ready to channel your inner ‘70s rockstar and drink a tequila sunrise? Keep reading for a simple recipe so you can make one at home.