Strawberry Tequila Sunrise Cocktail Recipe

I love mixing up cocktails that look as good as they taste, and honestly, the strawberry tequila sunrise is right up there for me. It takes the classic tequila sunrise and gives it a fresh twist with sweet strawberries.

You get tequila, orange juice, and strawberry syrup coming together for a simple drink that looks like a sunrise in a glass.

Whenever I make this drink, I’m always surprised at how easy it is—no fancy bartending tricks needed. Those bright colors just make it perfect for a casual get-together or even a chill night at home.

You still get that smooth balance of citrus and tequila, but the strawberries add a sweet punch that really makes it pop.

I’ll walk you through the exact ingredients, the quick steps to whip it up, and what kind of flavors to expect when you take that first sip.

This way, you can serve up a strawberry tequila sunrise that looks impressive and tastes super refreshing, every single time.

Strawberry Tequila Sunrise Cocktail Recipe

I love how this drink brings together the sweet taste of ripe strawberries and the bold punch of tequila. The layers from orange juice and grenadine syrup make it just as fun to look at as it is to sip.

Equipment

When I make this cocktail at home, I just grab a few simple tools. A highball glass really shows off those gorgeous layers.

I use a cocktail shaker to mix the strawberry puree with tequila and orange juice.

A food processor or blender turns fresh strawberries into a smooth puree. I grab a bar spoon to help pour the grenadine slowly so it settles at the bottom.

A jigger makes measuring easy and keeps the drink balanced.

• Highball glass
• Cocktail shaker
• Food processor or blender
• Bar spoon
• Jigger or measuring tool
• Small strainer (optional for smoother puree)

Ingredients

Fresh, ripe strawberries give the best flavor here, hands down. If I’m out, I’ll use strawberry syrup as a shortcut.

Fresh-squeezed orange juice really brightens things up.

Grenadine syrup is what gives you that classic red layer at the bottom. I like using a good blanco tequila because it blends in without overpowering the fruit.

Can’t forget the ice—it keeps everything crisp and cold.

• 2 oz tequila (blanco)
• 3 oz orange juice
• 1 oz strawberry puree (or strawberry syrup)
• 1/2 oz grenadine syrup
• Fresh strawberries (for garnish)
• Ice cubes

Instructions

I start by tossing ripe strawberries into a food processor and blending until smooth. If I’m feeling picky, I’ll strain out the seeds.

Then I fill a highball glass with ice to keep things nice and cold.

Next, I pour tequila, orange juice, and strawberry puree into a shaker. I shake it lightly, just enough to mix the flavors without watering it down.

I strain the mix into the glass.

With a bar spoon, I slowly pour grenadine down the side of the glass. It sinks right to the bottom and gives you that sunrise effect.

I usually throw a fresh strawberry slice on the rim for garnish.

• Blend strawberries into puree
• Fill highball glass with ice
• Add tequila, orange juice, and puree to shaker
• Shake lightly and strain into glass
• Slowly pour grenadine to settle at bottom
• Garnish with fresh strawberry

Notes

Ripe strawberries make the puree naturally sweet, so I never bother adding extra sugar. If I’m using bottled strawberry syrup, I cut back on the grenadine so things don’t get too sugary.

That highball glass is key—the layers really show off in a tall, clear glass.

If I want something lighter, I’ll add more orange juice. For a stronger kick, I bump up the tequila a bit.

Sometimes I’ll play around with flavored tequilas, but honestly, a clean blanco lets the fruit shine. Serving the drink right away keeps those pretty layers from blending together too quickly.

Tasting Notes

That first sip? I get a gentle sweetness—definitely the fresh strawberry coming through. The fruitiness feels light, almost bright, and doesn’t weigh the drink down at all.

I like how the tequila brings in a warm, slightly earthy note. There’s a mild bite that keeps the sweetness in check, so things never get cloying.

The orange juice adds this soft citrus layer. It’s refreshing, with just enough tang to really let the strawberry pop.

As the grenadine settles, I pick up a bit of rich, candy-like sweetness at the end. It hangs around for a moment, just enough to round things out.

Flavor profile I notice:

• Sweetness: Medium, mostly from strawberry and grenadine
• Citrus: Light and refreshing from orange juice
• Tequila: Smooth with a mild bite
• Finish: Sweet with a hint of fruit candy

Honestly, I think the balance feels best when the drink is really cold. The ice keeps everything crisp and stops the sweetness from getting overwhelming.