Tequila sunrise mocktail

Name: tequila sunrise mocktail
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 fl oz Mockingbird Spirit; 3/4 cups orange juice; 1 tsp grenadine*

How to make an amazing mocktail that originates from 1970s in California: tequila sunrise!

by Cory Varga

Updated 20 November 2024

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Tequila sunrise is one of the most beloved cocktails from the 70s. Did you know that legend has it, tequila sunrise was created at the Trident Hotel in Sausalito, California during a private party for the Rolling Stones?

Tequila sunrise is an iconic cocktail known for its gradient colours from red to that beautiful orange. It sure looks stunning and it tastes fantastic thanks to only 3 key ingredients: tequila, grenadine and orange juice. You can now make stunning tequila sunrise mocktails by replacing the tequila with a tequila flavour spirit called Mockingbird Spirit.

Mockingbird spirit was created by an entrepreneur in Bristol, UK, who we have to thank for allowing us to enjoy classic tequila cocktails without the headache. You might recall that we already posted the Chipotle Margarita and El Dulce Diablo.

What is a Tequila sunrise mocktail?

Tequila sunrise makes you think of ecstasy and joy, somewhere on a beach. Well as it turns out, this cocktail originates from the west coast of California, from a hotel called Trident in Sausalito, California. Legend has it that Mick Jagger ordered a margarita and the bartender, Bobby Lazzoff offered him a tequila sunrise instead.

This cocktail was so well received by the band that later in 1972, Keith Richards named their tour "cocaine and Tequila Sunrise" as per his own autobiography in Life magazine. Furthermore, tequila sunrise became the title of a song by the Eagles too.

So if you love rock and roll and want to transport yourself to a 70s beach in California, all you need is 3 ingredients and a cocktail glass.

Adding a straw to a tequila sunrise mocktail

Ingredients for Tequila sunrise mocktail

As promised, whether you're making the real tequila sunrise or the mocktail version, you just need three ingredients only. Ideally, you'll get a collins glass as well and some ice, because it's a beachy cocktail. Ready? Let's go!

Tequila or Mockingbird Spirit - You'll need tequila for a real version or mockingbird spirit for a mocktail version. In this recipe, we're going to focus on the mocktail as this is what I'll be drinking this festive season. You can buy your Mockingbird spirit from the official site.
Orange Juice - Try to go for either strained freshly squeezed orange juice or store-bought without the bits. You won't want floating bits of orange in your cocktail as it won't look very appealing.
Grenadine - Grenadine is a commonly used nonalcoholic bar syrup characterized by its deep red colour. It's made from pomegranate.

How to make a Tequila sunrise mocktail

I will guide you step by step on how to make a tequila sunrise mocktail. It's super easy and will enjoy making it. Besides, the result it's delicious so it's worth it!

Step 1: Fill a collins glass with ice. Traditionally tequila sunrise is served in a collins glass but of course, you can use any glass you fancy.

Step 1 in making tequila sunrise mocktail: fill the glass with ice

Step 2: Add the tequila or the Mockingbird spirit. You will need around 2 shot glasses worth of spirit.

Step 2 in making the tequila sunrise mocktail - add the spirit

Step 3: Fill the glass with orange juice. Depending on the size of your collins glass you will need between 150-200ml of orange juice.

Step 3 in making tequila sunrise mocktail - add orange juice

Step 4: Slowly and steadily pour some grenadine on the side of the glass so it settles on the bottom. You can use a cocktail spoon to help with this and make the dripping a little easier. Do not mix!

Step 4 in making tequila sunrise mocktail - add grenadine

Step 5: Decorate with a slice of orange. Originally, the tequila sunrise is also garnished with a cherry but since this is a mocktail, I've decided to keep it simpler and modern.

Step 5 in making tequila sunrise mocktail - garnish with orange slice

Tips for making an epic Tequila sunrise mocktail

There are a couple of things you could do to make sure your Tequila sunrise mocktail is extraordinary. Here is what you should know:

Strain your orange juice - As tempting as it is, don't leave bits in your orange juice or the tequila sunrise will not look as appetising.
Use a tall glass - Use a collins glass if you have one but you can also use a hurricane glass or just about any tall cocktail glass you might have.
Replace grenadine with pomegranate molasses - I love pomegranate molasses and I find it a sweeter, thicker alternative to grenadine. I much prefer it, but it is a twist from the classic.
Use a cocktail spoon - For a perfect gradient, you might want to consider using a cocktail spoon to drip grenadine. It will allow you to drip at the side of the glass so it won't mix with the orange juice.
That's it! You can now make your own Tequila sunrise mocktail. See how easy?

This recipe has been developed entirely by Yuzu Bakes. Any resemblance with other recipes is purely coincidental.