A tequila sunrise margarita combines the sunset colors of the classic tequila sunrise with the tangy lime kick of a margarita. Orange juice, lime juice, and orange liqueur make the base, and a slow pour of homemade pomegranate grenadine sinks to the bottom for that glowing red to orange gradient.
The recipe makes two drinks. The grenadine is simple to make from just pomegranate juice and sugar, and it tastes fresher than the bottled kind. Plan on about 30 minutes in total, most of it cooling time.
Table of Contents
Why This Tequila Sunrise Margarita Recipe Works
Making your own grenadine is the secret. Bottled versions are often flavored with artificial ingredients, while this syrup is built from real pomegranate juice and sugar. It is thick enough to sink slowly through the drink, which creates the layered look, and its tart fruit flavor is a good match for tequila.
The base stays bright and simple. Fresh lime juice cuts through the sweetness, orange juice rounds it out, and orange liqueur adds depth. Shaking the base with ice chills it quickly, and pouring it over fresh ice keeps the layers distinct.
Ingredients for Tequila Sunrise Margarita
- 1 1/4 cups pomegranate juice (or cranberry juice), for the grenadine
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar, for the grenadine
- 4 ounces blanco tequila
- 3 ounces orange juice
- 2 ounces fresh lime juice
- 2 ounces orange liqueur
- 2 ounces homemade grenadine
- Ice, for shaking and serving
- 2 orange wedges, for garnish
- 2 straws or stirrers
Pomegranate juice. Pick 100% juice with no added sugar. Cranberry juice also works if you cannot find pomegranate, though the color is slightly lighter.
Sugar. Plain granulated sugar dissolves easily and turns the juice into a pourable syrup.
Blanco tequila. The clean flavor of blanco keeps the citrus and pomegranate front and center.
Orange juice and lime juice. Fresh juice gives the ideal taste. Orange juice sweetens, while lime juice brings the tangy margarita character.
Orange liqueur. Triple sec or another orange liqueur ties the juices together.
How to Make Tequila Sunrise Margarita
1. Start the grenadine. Combine the pomegranate juice and sugar in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir until every sugar clear has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Do not let it boil hard.
2. Cool it. Pour the grenadine into a jar and let it cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes. You will use 2 ounces and can save the rest.
3. Shake the base. Add the tequila, orange juice, lime juice, and orange liqueur to a shaker filled with ice. Shake for 15 seconds.
4. Strain. Strain the mixture into two glasses filled with fresh ice.
5. Layer the grenadine. Pour 1 ounce of grenadine slowly down the inside of each glass so it sinks to the bottom and forms a gradient.
6. Garnish. Add an orange wedge to each glass and serve with a straw, but do not stir if you want the layers to stay visible.
How to Serve Tequila Sunrise Margarita
Serve right away so the layers hold their shape. The drink is a good match for chips, grilled chicken, and spicy dishes. For other drinks to try, make a classic Bloody Mary, a spicy Bloody Mary, or an easy mango mojito. For a dinner pairing, serve sheet pan chicken fajitas.
How to Store and Reheat Tequila Sunrise Margarita
This cocktail is ideal fresh. Keep leftover grenadine in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week and shake it before each use. You can mix the tequila, orange juice, lime juice, and liqueur ahead and refrigerate it without ice for up to 24 hours, then shake with ice and pour over fresh ice when it is time to serve.
Tips and Variations for Tequila Sunrise Margarita
Pour slowly. Tilt the glass and pour the grenadine along the inside edge, or pour over the back of a spoon, to keep the gradient clean.
Use fresh ice. Ice from the shaker is partly melted. Fresh ice in the glass keeps the layers sharp.
Try a frozen version. Blend the shaken ingredients with 2 cups of ice, then pour the grenadine in at the end.
Adjust the tartness. Add another half ounce of lime juice if you like a sharper drink, or a bit more orange juice if you like it sweeter.
Use the leftover grenadine. Stir a spoonful into sparkling water or lemonade.
Add a rim. A mix of salt and sugar around the rim adds a sweet and salty finish.
Cool the syrup fully. Hot grenadine will melt the ice and cloud the layers, so let it cool completely.
Store food safely. The University of Minnesota Extension guide to storing and reheating leftovers gives general guidance on chilling prepared food promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tequila Sunrise Margarita
What is a tequila sunrise margarita?
It is a margarita made with orange juice and a grenadine float, so it has the look of the classic sunrise cocktail with a tangier lime flavor.
Can you make a tequila sunrise margarita without grenadine?
Yes, but you lose the sunset effect. Use a splash of pomegranate juice or cranberry juice for color, and add a small spoon of sugar if you need more sweetness.
How do you layer a tequila sunrise margarita?
Fill the glass with ice and pour the grenadine slowly down the side. Because the syrup is heavier than the juices, it settles on the bottom.
Can I make this in a pitcher?
Yes. Multiply the base by 4 and stir it without ice. Pour over ice in each glass, then add 1 ounce of grenadine per drink.
How long does homemade grenadine last?
Keep it in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, and shake or stir before using.
Tequila Sunrise Margarita
Equipment
- Saucepan
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup pomegranate juice or cranberry juice, for the grenadine
- ¾ cup granulated sugar for the grenadine
- 4 oz blanco tequila
- 3 oz orange juice
- 2 oz fresh lime juice
- 2 oz orange liqueur triple sec
- 2 oz homemade grenadine
- 2 cup ice
- 2 orange wedges for garnish
Instructions
Cooking
- Dissolve. Warm the pomegranate juice and sugar in a saucepan over low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring, until the sugar disappears.
- Cool. Move the syrup to a jar and let it cool for 20 minutes.
- Shake. Shake the tequila, orange juice, lime juice, and orange liqueur with ice for 15 seconds.
- Strain. Divide between two ice filled glasses.
- Float. Slowly pour 1 ounce of grenadine down the side of each glass.
- Finish. Garnish with orange wedges and serve without stirring.
