This Tequila Sunset cocktail is a grapefruit twist on the classic Tequila Sunrise. The bitter flavor of grapefruit balances the sweetness of the rest of the ingredients really well. It's the perfect summer cocktail and so easy to turn into a mocktail!
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What Makes This Cocktail Special
A grapefruit twist - This cocktail has grapefruit juice, orange juice, tequila, and grenadine. This makes it different from tequila sunrise which doesn't have grapefruit juice. It gives the cocktail a slightly more bitter flavor that balances out the sweetness of orange juice and grenadine really well.
No cocktail shaker - This cocktail is made right in the serving glass so there's no need for a cocktail shaker! It's super easy to make. You don't want to shake this cocktail at all since you want grenadine to settle on the bottom to make a beautiful gradient "sunset" effect.
Easy to make into a mocktail - The recipe includes a mocktail version and I also have instructions on how to make it a few paragraphs down. It's super easy since the majority of the flavor in this cocktail comes from non-alcoholic ingredients.
Why is it called a tequila sunset?
The original tequila sunset uses blackberry brandy instead of grenadine on the bottom of the glass which gave the cocktail a darker grandient look.
It's hard to track down when and where exactly tequila sunset originated but it's said to be around the time its sunrise sibling was created in California in the 1970s.
For this version, I went with the classic grenadine because I found blackberry liqueur or blackberry brandy quite hard to find and most of you probably won't want to buy a liqueur you don't know if you like for a single cocktail. The only one I found was Licor de Amora Blackberry Liqueur and it was sold out everywhere near me.
If you want to make this cocktail more similar to its original version but can't find blackberry liqueur, you could try using Chambord (raspberry liqueur) or Creme de Cassis (blackcurrant liqueur). Keep in mind that this will change the flavor and raise the alcohol content.
Some versions of the cocktail include grapefruit juice which is what I used to make it different from the classic tequila sunrise. It gives the drink slightly darker, more reddish, orange color.
Ingredients
- Orange juice - Just like the classic, this Tequla Sunset is made with orange juice. Freshly squeezed orange juice will yield the best flavor.
- Grapefruit juice - Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice adds a little bit of bitterness to the cocktail that balances out the sweetness of the orange juice and grenadine really well.
- Tequila - Blanco or Reposado tequila is what works best in this summer cocktail. Anejo tequila would be too heavy for this cocktail.
- Grenadine - You can make your own grenadine or use store-bought. I like Liber & Co. grenadine but other brands like Monin are also great. Try to stay away from any syrups made with colors and high fructose corn syrup.
- Garnishes - Just like a classic tequila sunrise, you can garnish this tequila sunset with a cocktail cherry and a slice of orange. To change things up, I like to garnish it with a small slice of grapefruit to show it's different from the classic.
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Non-Alcoholic Tequila Sunset
Most of the flavor in this cocktail comes from non-alcoholic ingredients so this drink is really easy to make into a mocktail!
You can use a non-alcoholic 0-proof spirit that mimics the flavor of tequila or skip it altogether.
- Add orange juice, and grapefruit just in a tall glass.
- Fill the glass with ice ¾ way up and top with sparkling water or a soda leaving a little bit of room on top. I like using flavored sugar-free sparkling water like Lacroix. A grapefruit, orange, or pomegranate flavor would be perfect here!
- To finish the mocktail, carefully drizzle in grenadine along the side of the glass to make sure it sinks to the bottom and creates a "sunset" effect.
- Garnish the drink with an orange grapefruit, and a cocktail cherry, and enjoy!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Add grapefruit juice, orange juice, and tequila to a highball glass.
- Top up with ice and stir using a long cocktail spoon.
- Pour the grenadine syrup slowly along the side of the glass so it sinks to the bottom for a layered effect. Don’t stir again.
- Serve garnished with orange or grapefruit slices and a cocktail cherry. Serve with a straw and stir before enjoying.
Serving and Storing
This cocktail is best served right away and doesn't store well. You can however juice your grapefruits and oranges the day before to have them ready for the cocktails if you're making more than one or two. It saves a ton of time!
This cocktail is best served with fresh and light appetizers made with seasonal summer produce. Try it with this Pineapple Pico de Gallo or this Mango Pico de Gallo. If you're feeling extra fancy, you can serve some homemade Pita Chips on the side!
FAQs
Can I make it frozen?
Yes, absolutely! You can freeze the orange and grapefruit juice and blend it with tequila and some ice. Add the grenadine to your glass first and top with the slushie!
Tequila Sunset has grapefruit juice which the classic Tequila Sunrise doesn't have. Some are also made with blackberry brandy and/or without orange juice. I excluded the brandy to keep it simple and kept the orange juice in to make it sweeter.
Other Tequila Cocktails
If you're a tequila fan like I am and want to try fun tequila cocktails that aren't a margarita, check out the four below! The orange blossom one is my all-time favorite! I also added one margarita that's made with pomegranate juice, perfect for those who love grenadine! I also need to mention this Orange Ouzo Cocktail. It's not made with tequila but it has citrus and it's perfect for the summer! See Cocktails to see all the latest ones!
- Campari Orange Blossom Cocktail (similar in flavor to this cocktail)
- Tequila Espresso Martini (a tequila alternative to the classic espresso martini)
- Grapefruit Paloma (delicious classic grapefruit cocktail with tequila)
- Pomegranate Margarita (if you like grenadine and tequila, you'll love this)
📖 Recipe
Tequila Sunset
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Tequila Sunset is a grapefruit twist on the classic Tequila Sunrise. It's perfect for the summer and super easy to turn into a mocktail!
Ingredients
- 2 oz tequila (blanco or reposado)
- 2 oz freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
- 3 oz freshly squeezed orange juice
- ice
- 1 oz grenadine syrup
- Optional garnish: orange slice, grapefruit slice, cocktail cherry
Instructions
- Add tequila, grapefruit juice, and orange juice to a highball glass.
- Top up with ice and stir using a long cocktail spoon.
- Pour the grenadine syrup slowly on the side of the glass so it sinks to the bottom for a layered effect. Don’t stir again.
- Serve garnished with orange or grapefruit slices and a cocktail cherry. Serve with a straw and stir before enjoying.
Notes
Non-alcoholic version: Use a non-alcoholic spirit or simply add water instead of tequila and follow the rest of the recipe as you normally would. You can also top up the drink with sparkling water.
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Marie says
Such a pretty drink!! It brings me back to my young years; I used to order this a lot at the beach! Delicious!
Gloria says
It has been ages since I had one of these cocktails. Brings back memories for sure. Perfect for patio parties this summer.
Angela says
I had not made this cocktail in ages! Then, I came across this recipe and had to try it. So yummy and such a pretty drink.
MsLinda says
I love a Tequila Sunset. For mine I leave off the orange juice and use 100% Ruby Red Grapefruit and Reposado Tequila. The grapefruit slice and a cherry as garnish just makes it more fun to drink.