The Tequila Sunrise
The Tequila Sunrise was first created in the 1930s, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that this variation came along and took the world by storm, going above and beyond its predecessor.
Just so that you can see (and taste) the difference between the two versions, both the famous 1970s recipe and the original 1930s version are included below.
A Rock ’n’ Roll Revival
The new variant of the Tequila Sunrise was created in 1970 by Bobby Lozoff, a rookie bartender at The Trident in Sausalito, California. The Trident was a popular hangout for the Rock ’n’ Roll crowd of the era, and legend has it that Lozoff was working the bar the night the Rolling Stones hired the venue for a party to kick off their American tour in 1972.
Apparently, Lozoff offered his new creation to Mick Jagger, who loved it so much that it became a staple of the band’s tour—so much so that it became known as the “Cocaine and Tequila Sunrise Tour.”
In keeping with the Rock ’n’ Roll theme, just one year later the Eagles released their hit song “Tequila Sunrise,” cementing the cocktail’s place in pop culture.
The Evolution of a Classic
The modern Tequila Sunrise swapped out soda water for fresh orange juice and added orange curaçao to create a punchy, fruity, and easy-drinking cocktail. It’s beautiful layers of red and orange give the impression of a sunrise, while its fresh, zesty flavour captures the essence of summer in every sip.
Original 1930s Tequila Sunrise Recipe:
- 7.5 ml Grenadine
- 2.5 ml Crème de Cassis
- 45 ml Silver Tequila
- 15 ml Fresh Lime Juice
- ½ pinch Salt
- 100 ml Soda Water
Famous 1970s Tequila Sunrise Recipe:
- 5 ml Grenadine
- 5 ml Crème de Cassis
- 50 ml Silver Tequila
- 25 ml Orange Curaçao Liqueur
- 15 ml Fresh Lime Juice
- 75 ml Fresh Orange Juice
Tequila Sunrise Instructions:
- Pour the grenadine and crème de cassis into an ice-filled Collins glass.
- Combine the other ingredients together in a Cocktail Shaker, then gently strain into the glass on top of the red layer to create the sunrise effect.
- Garnish with a slice of lime over the edge of the glass.
