For many, Easter is a time of indulgence after a long period of fasting. If you took part in the rel...
The History of the Tequila Sunrise
Jump to
It is very rare to find the Tequila Sunrise on the cocktail menu of any self-respecting classy establishment these days, since it has gained a rather tacky reputation, with most proud mixologists avoiding putting it on their menu. But we think this is an unfair assumption of a drink that can actually be quite tasty when mixed properly!
Raucous Connotations for the Tequila Sunrise
If you are a person of a certain age, you will likely remember the Rolling Stones and their outrageous rock-n-roll antics. The 70s were a time of rebellion, punk and rock music, and the Rolling Stones played up to this image well, all the while selling out tours all over the world. While they were in San Francisco to promote their Exile on Main St album, they were handed a drink by bartender Bobby Lazoff, made of Tequila, orange juice and grenadine at a bar called The Trident. An immediate success with the band, they requested the drink everywhere they went, on a tour that soon became legendary for riots, fighting and antics with Playboy bunnies. They were credited with the almost instant popularity of the cocktail, as well as helping raise the profits of tequila company, Jose Cuervo. Other bands soon joined in on the action, with the Eagles even making a song called Just Another Tequila Sunrise in 1973.
Humble Cocktail Origins
So, it is easy to see why the cocktail quickly became associated with drugs, sex and rock n’ roll, but the Tequila Sunrise had actually been around a long time before Mick Jagger discovered it! It was originally made as a twist on the Singapore Sling at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel in the 1930s, mixed with tequila, lime juice, soda water and crème de cassis. The bartenders at The Trident had a little fun with the drink and simplified it to create the classic drink we know today.
Fresh is Best
The other problem that many have with this drink, is that it is often made with syrupy, pre-mixed concentrates, making it sickly sweet and taking away the sophisticated, alcoholic edge. When made properly, with fresh orange juice and homemade pomegranate grenadine, as well as the traditional Jose Cuervo tequila, it is actually a very refreshing and enjoyable beverage, best consumed when the sun is setting on a hit summers afternoon. And if you ever forget the recipe, just check the side of your Tequila bottle – its sure to be there!
Pardon the interruption
Did you know that you can become a member for free, taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. You can save your My Bar ingredients, make tasting notes, have personalised Tried and Want to try lists and more.
More to explore
The Olympic Games are not only a showcase of athletic prowess, but also a celebration of human achie...
National Rum Day is quite possibly one of the very best reasons to drink rum. Our classic cocktail o...
Bartender's top tip
Related posts
Who Invented the Amaretto Sour?
With most classic cocktails, it is possible to track down the origins of the recipe. Bartenders love to claim to have invented the most popular blends, since it gives them five minutes of fame and ele... read more
The Old-Fashioned History of the Old Fashioned
A sophisticated blend of bourbon, bitters, soda and sugar, the Old Fashioned cocktail has roots that go all the way back to the 1800s! The name comes from the way it is made, with people heading to co... read more
The History of the Mimosa Cocktail
No brunch is complete without a Mimosa or two alongside your eggs benedict and smoked salmon, and it is a great tipple to have before a wedding, but the history behind our favourite pre-midday cocktai... read more
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Get tips straight into your inbox.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A pesonalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Olympic Cocktails and More
Discover a host of cocktails inspired by the Paris 2024 Olympics, meet the bartenders behind the cocktails and win yourself some juicy Amazon vouchers.
Our Olympic Cocktail Hub