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Tequila Sunrise

Tequila Sunrise is popular tequila based cocktail drink. But nowadays many Tequila Sunrise recipe variations have surged up where the fruit juice, vodka, amaretto, or lemonade is substituted for Tequila. Tequila Sunrise has been officially declared as the IBA Official Cocktail by none other than The International Bartenders Association. This cocktail was popularized by the Hollywood crowd. It is believed that Tequila Sunrise was part of the Hollywood culture in 30’s and 40’s because it was mentioned in many of the songs, movies, and pop albums, which were released around the same time.

 

Origin of Tequila Sunrise
The Tequila Sunrise was born in the Wright Bar of the legendary resort : Arizona Baltimore, which is also nicknamed as “Jewel of the Desert”. The hotel is famous for its Frank Lloyd Inspired interiors and inspiring cocktails especially Tequila Sunrise. It is believed that cocktail was born sometime in the late 1930’s or early 40’s. As per the legend the drink was created on insistence of a frequent guest who loved Tequila. One day he asked the bartender to serve him tequila based refreshing drink, which he can enjoy on the pool side. The bartender served him Tequila Sunrise which was prepared by blending soda, tequila with Crème de Cassis and fresh lime juice.



Some historical anecdotes negate the above mentioned version of its origin and suggest that the drink was first served in Cancun and Acapulco during the 50's to appease tourists. By 1970’s the Tequila Sunrise has established itself as the popular disco drink, but slowly faded back into oblivion before making a strong comeback in 2000’s.

 

Basic Tequila Sunrise Recipes
The Tequila Sunrise also follows two basic recipes like some of its contemporary drinks like Sex on the Beach.

  • Absolut –ly Wright Martini: This considered to the authentic Tequila Sunrise recipe where the drink is fixed by combining ingredients like Absolut Vodka, Triple Sec, and Cranberry Juice. The drink is topped with champagne and garnished with lemon twist.
  • Baltimore Original Tequila Sunrise: This is also considered to be an authentic Tequila Sunrise recipe, where the drink is fixed by combining ingredients like Premium Tequila, Crème de Cassis, fresh lime and soda water. The drink is garnished with fresh lime wheels.

 

This drink is popular for its layered appearance and probably it is named after the way it appears in the glass. The denser ingredients like grenadine syrup or Crème de Cassis deliver sunrise appearance to the drink.  Normally the grenadine syrup lies towards the bottom of the cocktail and lends it a unique look.

 


Popular Tequila Sunrise Recipes

  • Sunrise Margarita: This is new classic tequila on the block which is notable due to its appearance and enduring taste. The Sunrise Margarita is different from the regular Tequila Sunrise by means of the proportions of its combining ingredients. The Sunrise Margarita is fixed by combining ingredients like tequila blanco, Grand Mariner, lime juice, orange juice and grenadine. The tequila and orange juice are combined in equal proportions to mask the bitter taste of tequila.
  • Tequilla Sunrise Jello Shot: This is one of the popular Tequila sunrise recipe where the drink is fixed by combining ingredients like orange jello, boiling water and 1800 Tequila.
  • Adam Sunrise: Following this Tequila Sunrise recipe the drink is fixed by combining vodka, concentrated lemonade, sugar and water.
  • Hurricane Sunrise: Following this popular Tequila Sunrise recipe the drink is fixed by combining ingredients like dark rum, white rum, tequila, orange juice, pineapple juice and grenadine syrup.
  • Vodka Sunrise: Following this Tequila Sunrise recipe, the drink is fixed by combining ingredients like vodka, orange juice and grenadine syrup. This drink is also called Russian Sunrise because the tequila is replaced by vodka.

 

Ways of Enjoying Tequila Sunrise Drinks

  • It is recommended that the drink should be enjoyed very slowly if you want to know its flavors. The orange and tequila flavor can be enjoyed by slowly sipping the cocktail and the sweeter grenadine flavor can be enjoyed towards the end.
  • The grenadine should be mixed into the drink using the cocktail stirrer. The best way of enjoying the inherent flavors in grenadine syrup is by sucking it out with a straw. The pomegranate flavor of the grenadine syrup can be enjoyed by lightly sucking the lower portion of the drink with the help of straw.

 

Serving Tequila Sunrise
The Tequila Sunrise belongs to the league of long drink so it is normally served in a rocks glass or tall glass over the ice. The drink is mostly served after garnishing with a wedge of the lemon wheel.

 

Tequila Sunrise Trivia

  • The Mel Gibson starrer movie Tequila Sunrise was released in 1988.