Tequila Sunrise (cocktail)
Encyclopedia
The Tequila Sunrise is a cocktail
made in two different ways, the original (tequila
, crème de cassis
, lime juice and soda water
) and the more popular concoction (tequila
, orange juice
, and grenadine syrup). Originally served at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel
, where it was created by Gene Sulit in the 1930s or 1940s, the cocktail is named for the way it looks after it has been poured into a glass. The denser ingredients (cassis or grenadine) settle, creating gradations in color that mimic a sunrise
. The more popular version was invented by Bobby Lazoff and Billy Rice at the Trident restaurant in Sausalito California in the early 1970's.
and is usually served in a highball glass
. The International Bartender Association has designated this cocktail as an IBA Official Cocktail
.
Cocktail
A cocktail is an alcoholic mixed drink that contains two or more ingredients—at least one of the ingredients must be a spirit.Cocktails were originally a mixture of spirits, sugar, water, and bitters. The word has come to mean almost any mixed drink that contains alcohol...
made in two different ways, the original (tequila
Tequila
Tequila is a spirit made from the blue agave plant, primarily in the area surrounding the city of Tequila, northwest of Guadalajara, and in the highlands of the western Mexican state of Jalisco....
, crème de cassis
Crème de cassis
Crème de cassis is a sweet, dark red liqueur that is made from blackcurrants.Several cocktails are made with crème de cassis, including the very popular wine cocktail, kir.-Origin and production:...
, lime juice and soda water
Carbonated water
Carbonated water is water into which carbon dioxide gas under pressure has been dissolved, a process that causes the water to become effervescent....
) and the more popular concoction (tequila
Tequila
Tequila is a spirit made from the blue agave plant, primarily in the area surrounding the city of Tequila, northwest of Guadalajara, and in the highlands of the western Mexican state of Jalisco....
, orange juice
Orange juice
Orange juice is a popular beverage made from oranges. It is made by extraction from the fresh fruit, by desiccation and subsequent reconstitution of dried juice, or by concentration of the juice and the subsequent addition of water to the concentrate...
, and grenadine syrup). Originally served at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel
Arizona Biltmore Hotel
The Arizona Biltmore Hotel is a resort located in Phoenix near 24th Street and Camelback Road. It recently joined the Hilton Hotels' luxury collection The Waldorf-Astoria Collection and was also featured on the Travel Channel show Great Hotels....
, where it was created by Gene Sulit in the 1930s or 1940s, the cocktail is named for the way it looks after it has been poured into a glass. The denser ingredients (cassis or grenadine) settle, creating gradations in color that mimic a sunrise
Sunrise
Sunrise is the instant at which the upper edge of the Sun appears above the horizon in the east. Sunrise should not be confused with dawn, which is the point at which the sky begins to lighten, some time before the sun itself appears, ending twilight...
. The more popular version was invented by Bobby Lazoff and Billy Rice at the Trident restaurant in Sausalito California in the early 1970's.
Preparation and serving
The Tequila Sunrise is considered a long drinkLong drink
A long drink or tall drink is an alcoholic mixed drink with a relatively large volume . In Finland, the term refers to a type of premixed, ready to drink alcoholic beverage....
and is usually served in a highball glass
Highball glass
A highball glass is a glass tumbler which will contain 8 to 12 fluid ounces . It is used to serve highball cocktails and other mixed drinks.A highball glass is taller than an Old Fashioned glass, and shorter and wider than a Collins glass....
. The International Bartender Association has designated this cocktail as an IBA Official Cocktail
IBA Official Cocktail
An IBA Official Cocktail is one of many cocktails selected by the International Bartenders Association for use in the annual World Cocktail Competition in bartending...
.
Variations
- Aperol Sunrise – substitute Aperol orange liqueur for grenadine or crème de cassis
- Tequila Sunset – substitute blackberry brandy for grenadine
- Caribbean Sunrise – use rum instead of tequila
- Vodka (or Russian) Sunrise – use vodka instead of tequila
- Southern Sunrise – use Southern ComfortSouthern ComfortSouthern Comfort is an American liqueur made from neutral spirits with fruit, spice and whiskey flavourings. The brand was originally created by bartender Martin Wilkes Heron in New Orleans in 1874, and is now owned by the Brown-Forman Corporation...
instead of tequila - Astronaut Sunrise – use TangTang (drink)Tang is a fruit-flavored breakfast drink. Originally formulated by General Foods Corporation food scientist William A. Mitchell in 1957, it was first marketed in powdered form in 1959....
instead of orange juice - Amaretto Sunrise – use Disaronno amaretto instead of tequila
- Florida Sunrise – use equal measures of pineapple and orange juice
- Red Sea Sunrise – non-alcoholic version that uses lemonade instead of tequila
- Enamorada Sunrise – substitute Campari for grenadine syrup