The Tequila Sunrise is the tequila cocktail layered with orange juice and grenadine to create a sunrise effect.
The familiar modern version contains tequila, orange juice, and grenadine. It is usually poured so that the grenadine sinks and gradually rises through the orange drink, producing a color transition from red at the bottom to orange and yellow above it. The drink is commonly served over ice.
The cocktail should not be confused with the Tequila Sunset, which uses a different dark fruit ingredient and creates a different appearance. The Tequila Sunrise also differs from the Margarita, which is built around lime juice and orange liqueur rather than orange juice and grenadine.
A popular modern version became associated with California in the 1970s and was further popularized by the Eagles song “Tequila Sunrise.” The visual layering is central to the drink’s name.