Tequila Sunrise

Tequila, orange juice, and grenadine create the eponymous sunrise in this ’70s icon that actually started out as a classic Prohibition-era cocktail.

Serves
1
Prep
5 minutes

ANDY SEWELL

By Amanda Schuster

Updated on December 4, 2023

The tequila sunrise originated in 1930s Tijuana, Mexico at the Agua Caliente, a casino and racetrack that was a popular destination for American drinkers during Prohibition. Tequila, grenadine, crème de cassis, and lime are the basis for that first iteration, but a newer version from the 1970s incorporates orange juice and a splash of gin. Created by bartender Bobby Lozoff at the Trident restaurant in Sausalito, California, the cocktail became an icon of the ‘70s thanks to Mick Jagger’s fondness for it; the rocker even had it stocked in his limos, for a refresher on the go.

Most tequila sunrises are made without gin these days, but if you're in the mood to throw it back to the ‘70s, add ¾ ounce of dry gin to your cocktail shaker along with the tequila and orange juice.

Featured in “Why Repeal Day Is Still a Party 90 Years Later,” by Amanda Schuster.

Ingredients

1½ oz. 100% agave blanco or reposado tequila
2½ oz. orange juice
¼ oz. grenadine

Instructions

Step 1

To a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the tequila and orange juice and shake well until chilled. Strain into a highball or pint glass filled with ice, add the grenadine, and let it settle over the drink (do not stir).