This Tequila Sunrise recipe is made with orange juice, tequila, grenadine and jalapeños for a spicy kick! (Jalapeños are optional if you prefer your drink non-spicy). It’s the perfect cocktail for brunch or any celebration!

I’m officially obsessed with brunch cocktails and I show no signs of stopping! Case in point – this tequila sunrise
What is a tequila sunrise?
A tequila sunrise is a cocktail made from a mix of tequila, orange juice and grenadine. Simple and classic. Since it contains orange juice, I consider it a breakfast or brunch drink, or even a vacation-on-the-beach drink.

A fun Tequila Sunrise variation
I personally love cocktails with a little spice, so I added some jalapeños for a little kick! The jalapeños are optional. If you’re not a fan of spicy drinks, you can completely leave out the peppers and it will still be delicious.
To infuse the hot pepper flavor into the drink, I muddle some freshly sliced jalapeños in the tequila and orange juice with a cocktail muddler like this. If you don’t have one, you can use the back of a spoon and just press into the peppers as firmly as you can. You don’t want to chop or turn them into mush, but you want to press them a little to release some of the oils.
Once you’ve muddled the jalapeños, shake or stir the mixture.
Then strain the orange juice/tequila mixture into a tall glass filled with ice and slowly pour in a tablespoon of grenadine syrup.
I like to pour it against the side of the glass so it doesn’t get too mixed up with the orange juice, but even if you accidentally forget, the grenadine syrup will settle at the bottom over time, so give it about 30 seconds or so and you’ll get that beautiful sunrise effect.

Cheers, friends!
How to make a Tequila Sunrise
More drink recipes

Ingredients
- 2 ounces blanco tequila (4 tablespoons)
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1-2 slices jalapeño peppers (optional)
- 1 tablespoon grenadine syrup
- orange slices, for garnish
- maraschino cherries, for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a 12-ounce highball glass with ice and set aside.
- In a cocktail shaker or tall cup, add tequila, orange juice and jalapeno slices (optional). Using a cocktail muddler or the back of a spoon, lightly muddle and press on the jalapenos to release some of the oils and spice. Cover and shake or stir to combine.
- Strain the tequila/orange juice mixture into the prepared glass. Pour in the grenadine down the side of the glass and let it settle to the bottom to get the "sunrise" effect.
- Garnish with an orange slice, some jalapeños and a maraschino cherry.
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