Highballs and long drinks · Tequila
Grapefruit brings a pleasant bitterness to the orange juice, and a pour of grenadine settles at the bottom like the last light of the day. It is fruitier and drier than it looks, and it takes one minute to build.
1½ oz
blanco tequilae.g. Olmeca Altos · Patrón · Don Julio · Espolòn · El Jimador
2 oz
orange juice freshly squeezed
2 oz
grapefruit juice freshly squeezed; or use all orange juice
½ oz
grenadine
Garnish: Cocktail cherry and orange slice or mandarin · Ice: Ice cubes
Tequila Sunset
Juicy and tart with bitter-fresh grapefruit, sweet orange and a red berry sweetness at the bottom. Light and refreshing.
The name Tequila Sunset is used for several drinks, all inspired by the Tequila Sunrise that became famous in the 1970s. Some versions float a dark spirit or blackberry brandy on top, others simply rework the Sunrise with different juices. None of them has a well-documented origin.
This version keeps the familiar pattern of tequila, citrus juice and sinking grenadine, but splits the juice between orange and grapefruit. The grapefruit makes it tarter and less sweet, which suits it well as an evening highball.
If you prefer it softer, use only orange juice; if you want it sharper, lean towards grapefruit.
The name Sunset covers several variations; this one adds grapefruit juice, making it tarter than the orange-only Sunrise.
Yes. It loses the colour and some sweetness, but tequila and citrus still work well together.
A 100 percent agave blanco keeps the drink fresh and peppery.
The perfect sound
Golden light at the end of the day.
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