The Tequila Sunrise is a cocktail that earns its name. Grenadine sinks to the bottom of the glass, orange juice fills the middle, and the colors blend together in a gradient that looks like dawn breaking over the desert. It’s one of the most visually striking drinks you can make, and it takes about 30 seconds to put together.

The grenadine pour

The entire visual effect depends on how you add the grenadine. Pour it slowly down the inside wall of the glass or over the back of a spoon held against the glass. The syrup is denser than the juice, so gravity does the work. It sinks through the orange juice, creating red-to-orange layers that look effortless but feel deliberate.

Use real grenadine, not the neon-red stuff. Real grenadine is made from pomegranate juice and sugar, and it tastes like tart fruit instead of artificial cherry. Liber & Co and Small Hand Foods make versions that are worth seeking out. The color is a deeper, more natural red that makes the sunrise effect look even better.

Fresh juice makes the difference

Squeeze your own oranges if possible. In a three-ingredient drink, the quality of each one is fully exposed. Fresh juice has a brightness and slight bitterness from the pith that bottled juice can’t match. If you’re using store-bought, go for a not-from-concentrate variety and avoid anything labeled “orange drink.”

The tequila alternative

Lyre’s Agave Blanco brings herbal and citrus notes that pair naturally with orange juice. It has enough agave character to remind you of what it’s standing in for without trying too hard. If you can’t find it, Ritual Zero Proof Tequila is another option with a slightly earthier profile.

This pairs well with the Margarita for a two-drink tequila spread. One sour, one sweet, both built around the same spirit alternative.