Blood Orange Tequila Sunrise
A vibrant, layered tequila cocktail with fresh blood orange juice and a touch of grenadine for a stunning sunrise effect. This cocktails & drinks-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 4 minutes brings together blanco tequila, fresh blood orange juice, grenadine syrup for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz blanco tequila
- 3 oz fresh blood orange juice
- 1/2 oz grenadine syrup
- as needed ice cubes
- 1 blood orange wheel
Instructions
- Step 1: Fill a highball glass with ice cubes to the top.
- Step 2: Pour 2 oz blanco tequila over the ice.
- Step 3: Add 3 oz fresh blood orange juice slowly.
- Step 4: Carefully drizzle 1/2 oz grenadine syrup down the side of the glass; it will settle at the bottom creating a gradient effect.
- Step 5: Do not stir; serve as is to preserve the layered look.
- Step 6: Garnish by placing a thin blood orange wheel on the rim.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Blood Orange Tequila Sunrise take to make?
Total time is about 4 minutes (4 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Blood Orange Tequila Sunrise?
Refrigerate any leftover blood orange tequila sunrise in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Blood Orange Tequila Sunrise?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Blood Orange Tequila Sunrise for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Blood Orange Tequila Sunrise?
Cocktails & Drinks cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
