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This Tequila Sunrise is made with homemade grenadine which is much better than the store bought bottled stuff, and it’s so simple to make!
I think the real inspiration for making this Tequila Sunrise is because I made homemade grenadine and now it was time to make a drink with it. Real grenadine is not that bright red, syrupy, overly sweet stuff you get in the store. Real grenadine actually has fruit! As in pomegranates. Yes, I know it still has sugar. It’s basically a simple syrup made with pomegranate juice instead of water. And since pomegranates are naturally tart, you’re gonna have to use a bit of sugar. However, when you make your own grenadine you can control the amount of sugar you add. I like to think that since I’m using real pomegranate juice, that there’s some redeeming value to making it homemade and there’s nothing artificial in it! Homemade grenadine has a deep red color and really doesn’t taste anything like the bottle of store bought stuff. It’s much better! Try it on pancakes or ice cream.
So back to the Tequila Sunrise. It’s basically orange juice, tequila and some grenadine. That’s it. I like to squeeze some lime juice in mine, but you don’t have to do that. The grenadine will sink to the bottom of the glass and with the graduation of color it’s suppose to look like a sunrise (or sunset?). You can give it a bit of a stir if you want it to mix more.
So how about giving a good ol’ retro drink like a Tequila Sunrise a try next time you’re having brunch? It has orange juice in it after all. No reason Mimosas and Bloody Marys should be the only drinks consumed at brunch!
Tequila Sunrise
Ingredients
- 2 shots tequila
- 4 shots fresh squeezed orange juice
- 1/2 shot grenadine
For the homemade grenadine
- 1 C. 100% pomegranate juice (I use POM)
- 1/4–1/2 C. sugar (use more if you want a sweeter grenadine, lesser amount if not)
Instructions
Make the Grenadine
- In small saucepan, combine pomegranate juice and sugar. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer about 15 minutes until liquid is reduced and thickened a bit. Set aside to cool, store in refrigerator.
Make the Cocktail
- In cocktail shaker, combine tequila and orange juice. Pour in tall glass filled with ice.
- Slowly pour in grenadine and let it settle to bottom for a layered look. Or stir to combine if desired.