Kim Laidlaw

Classic: Tequila Sunrise

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Preparation info
  • Makes

    1

    Drink
    • Difficulty

      Easy

Appears in
Spirits of '76: Celebrating 250 Years with Cocktails from Every State
Spirits of '76

By Kim Laidlaw

Published 2026

  • About

The tequila sunrise, with its vibrant layers, echoes Arizona’s breathtaking desert sunrises. Though popularized in California, this iconic cocktail was first crafted at the Arizona Biltmore hotel in the 1930s, making it a true Southwestern classic with a history as rich as its hues.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces blanco tequila
  • 3 ounces fresh orange juice
  • 2

Method

Fill a chilled highball glass with ice, then add the tequila, orange juice, and pineapple juice. Stir gently with a bar spoon. Slowly pour the grenadine into the cocktail; it will sink to the bottom to create a layered effect. Spear the orange slice and pineapple chunk(s) with a cocktail pick and garnish.