The Tequila Sunrise

The Tequila Sunrise was first created in the 1930s but it wasn’t until the 1970’s when this variation came along that it went above and beyond its predecessor. Just so that you can see (and taste) the difference between the two variations I have included the original recipe beneath the one made famous in the 1970s.

The new variant of the Tequila Sunrise was created in 1970 by Bobby Lozoff when he was a rookie bartender at the Trident in Sausalito California. The Trident was a bar that was frequented by the Rock’n’Roll fraternity of the era, and legend has it that Lozoff was working the bar on the night the Rolling Stones had hired the bar for a party to kick-off their American tour back in 1972.

Apparently, Lozoff offered his new creation to Mick Jagger who absolutely loved it, and it became a staple of the band’s tour as it was easy for them to put together no matter where they were playing; the tour infamously became known as the Cocaine and Tequila Sunrise tour.

In keeping with the Rock’n’Roll theme one year later Californian band the Eagles released their song Tequila Sunrise.

The modern variant as you will see below took on Orange juice instead of Soda water, and added Orange Curacao to give it a punchy, orangey easy-drinking flavour. Another summer’s afternoon favourite the Tequila Sunrise is layered with reds and oranges to give the impression of a sunrise, it’s fresh and zesty flavour will also remind you of all that is good about summer.

5ml Grenadine

5ml Crème de Cassis

50ml Silver Tequila

25ml Orange Curacao Liqueur

15ml Fresh Lime Juice

75ml Fresh Orange Juice

Pour the Grenadine and Crème de cassis into an ice-filled Collins glass. Shake all other ingredients then gently strain into the glass on top of the layer of red to create the sunrise effect. For the garnish place a slice of Lime over the edge of the glass.