Tequila Sunrise – Mildly Uninspiring

As a cocktail writer, some of these wrap up posts are much easier than other.  Sometimes I’m very excited to pass on what I’ve learned over the course of my experiments and other times I need a swift kick in the ass to get it all down.  Sadly the Tequila Sunrise falls under the latter category.  I love good orange juice.  I love good tequila.  I don’t love this cocktail.  It’s kinda boring in the same way that Screwdrivers are boring.  Sure, they’re not bad.  In fact, they’re pretty good.  Problem is, I’ve had the best and now, okay isn’t good enough.

Tequila Sunrise

I’m not just going to whine about this cocktail for the whole post.  As I said, it’s really not all that bad.  If you’re interested in a refreshing tequila drink and you’re bored with the Paloma, here are some tips for making a decent Tequila Sunrise.  First, unless your orange juice has a good bit of sourness you’re going to a want a squeeze of lime with this one.  Second, much like a Gin and Tonic this drink is all about the ratio.  Specifically, it’s all about the ratio you like.  Want it more intense, use less orange juice, more mellow, use more.  I think you get the idea.  Third, add your grenadine last, even after you have all the ice in the glass.  Then give it a very gentle stir.  This will help the grenadine mix just a touch and give your drink a gorgeous color gradient.  Fourth, use a tequila that you like.  For me I go with a nice plata tequila, like the Olmeca Altos I reviewed earlier in the week.  However, if you like a mellower agave flavor then a reposado is what you want.  Lastly, please, please, please use good grenadine.  Don’t buy colored sugar water.  If you really want something good, make up a batch of Hibiscus Grenadine and be very happy.

So, there you go.  It’s tasty, but not a recipe that I’m going to find myself craving.  Onward, friends, onward.


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3 responses to “Tequila Sunrise – Mildly Uninspiring”

  1. William Avatar

    Thank You for that one, my friend………Wm

  2. Kim Avatar

    I’m starting to come to the conclusion the orange juice doesn’t play that well with cocktails. Or, if it does, it’s a rare a special event. Initially, I thought that was the vermouth I mixed the Bronx or Satan’s Whiskers with, but perhaps, given how uninspiring a tequila sunrise is, it might be that orange juice isn’t cut out for mixing cocktails? As you mentioned, the lack of sourness in oranges (that and I find the kind of watery compared to other citrus) might have something to do with it.

  3. Reese Avatar

    I’ve had the same experiences, Kim. In my experimentation I’ve found that tangerine juice works pretty well if you can find some good ones. The extra sourness is what really makes it for me.