The Tequila Sunrise and Tequila Sunset are two colorful cocktails that tequila lovers enjoy both at home and in bars. While they share a base of tequila and a vibrant appearance, their flavors and ingredients set them apart.
If you’re trying to tell these cocktails apart or can’t decide which one to pick, here’s what you need to know.
What’s The Difference Between a Tequila Sunrise and a Tequila Sunset?
The difference between a Tequila Sunrise and a Tequila Sunset lies in the base syrup and flavor: the Sunrise uses grenadine for a sweet, red base, while the Sunset uses blackberry liqueur for a darker, fruitier, and more complex profile.
Tequila Sunrise Recipe
Ingredients
To make a classic Tequila Sunrise, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 ounces of tequila
- Fresh orange juice to fill up (approx. 4 ounces)
- 1 ounce of grenadine syrup
- Ice cubes
- An orange slice and a cherry for garnish (optional)
Tools
- Highball or Collins glass
- Long straw
- Bar spoon (optional)
How to make it?
First, grab a highball glass and fill it with ice cubes. Next, pour 2 ounces of tequila into the glass. After that, fill the glass with fresh orange juice. Then, carefully pour 1 ounce of grenadine syrup into the glass. You want the syrup to sink at the bottom of the glass: to do so, slowly pour it along the straw or bar spoon to make sure it does not mix with the orange juice. The syrup will go to the bottom and make a sunrise effect. Remember, don’t stir the drink. You want to keep the layers separate. You can put an orange slice and a cherry on top to make it look nicer, but that’s up to you!
Check out the full recipe card here
Sweeter Variants
- Replace orange juice with pineapple juice to get a sweeter and slightly tart flavor.
- Replace tequila with Malibu coconut rum to get a tropical coconut profile with the Malibu Sunrise.
Now that you know everything about the Tequila Sunrise, what is a Tequila Sunset?
Well, that’s where it gets tricky: there is not one, but plenty of Tequila Sunset recipes with subtle variations. Some use grapefruit juice instead of orange juice, others include a bit of soda water, honey syrup, blue curaçao, or substitute the grenadine with blackberry liqueur… While we will let you experiment and decide on which recipe you prefer, here is the one we generally recommend:
Tequila Sunset Recipe
Ingredients
The ingredients for a Tequila Sunset are:
- 2 ounces of Tequila
- Fresh orange juice to fill up (approx. 4 ounces)
- 1 ounce of Blackberry liqueur
- A splash of Soda Water
- Ice cubes
- Optional garnish: Lemon slice and cherry
Tools
- Highball or Collins glass
- Long straw
- Bar spoon (optional)
How to make it?
Here’s how you make a Tequila Sunset. First, take a highball glass and fill it with ice cubes. Next, add 2 ounces of tequila to the glass. Then, fill the glass with fresh orange juice. After that, slowly add 1 ounce of blackberry liqueur. Make sure to pour it along the straw or bar spoon so it can go to the bottom of the glass without mixing with the other ingredients. The liqueur will go to the bottom and create a sunset effect. Then, throw in a splash of soda water for some bubbles. Make sure you don’t stir the drink as you want the layers to stay separate. You can put a lemon slice and a cherry on top to make it look nice. That’s it, you’ve made a Tequila Sunset!
Check out the full recipe card here
A Malibu Sunset replaces the tequila with coconut rum for a tropical coconut profile.
Our Favorite Tequila Brands
Here are our top picks for brands to use in Sunrise and Sunset cocktails:
- Patrón Silver: People love this one for its smooth and sweet taste, coming from the fact that only agaves are used for distillation (“100% agave tequila”). It’s a top-shelf choice that goes great with the other ingredients.
- Don Julio Blanco: This one is crisp and clean with a hint of citrus. It goes well with the orange juice in these cocktails.
- Espolòn Blanco: This is a good choice if you’re watching your budget. It’s balanced and smooth and works well in both cocktails.
- Casamigos Blanco: George Clooney helped start this brand. It’s smooth and subtle and perfect for these cocktails.
- El Jimador Blanco: This is a big hit in Mexico. It’s a great deal for the price. It has a nice mix of agave and citrus flavors that go well in a Sunrise or Sunset.
More Tequila Cocktails to Enjoy
FAQs
What are the different types of tequila?
The different types are Blanco (Silver or White Tequila), Reposado (Rested Tequila), and añejo (Aged Tequila) and Extra añejo (Ultra-Aged Tequila). Blanco tequila is typically more agave-forward and slightly peppery, reposado is smoother with oak notes from aging, and añejo has richer, complex flavors. You can experiment with these varieties to customize the taste of your cocktails.
What’s the difference between a Malibu Sunrise and a Malibu Sunset?
The difference is that a Malibu Sunset includes pineapple juice as a key ingredient, giving it a tropical and fruity flavor, while a Malibu Sunrise typically uses orange juice for a citrusy taste.
What’s the origin of the term ‘highball glass’?
A highball glass is named after the type of cocktails it is designed for, known as “highball” cocktails, which have a larger volume due to the inclusion of non-alcoholic mixers like soda or tonic water, and the glass’s tall shape accommodates this.
