Tequila Sunrise
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
Tequila Sunrise is a vibrant, layered cocktail that visually mimics a dawn sky, with a base of tequila and orange juice topped with a slow pour of grenadine that sinks to create a red-to-orange gradient. It offers a sweet, fruity, and slightly tart taste with a smooth, refreshing texture from the juice and ice. Nutritionally, it's a source of quick energy from carbohydrates, primarily sugars, with negligible protein and fat.
Calorie split: 4% protein · 92% carbs · 4% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love the Tequila Sunrise for its iconic, Instagram-worthy appearance and its sweet, approachable flavor that masks the taste of alcohol, making it a popular choice for casual drinkers. Its simple, three-ingredient recipe also makes it a versatile and easy-to-make party staple.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar content (from both juice and grenadine) can lead to a rapid blood-sugar spike followed by a crash, and the alcohol can contribute to dehydration. Those monitoring sugar intake or with alcohol sensitivities should be cautious. To counteract, consider using a sugar-free grenadine or pomegranate juice, pairing it with a protein-rich snack, and ensuring you drink water alongside it.
Key benefits
- Provides quick energy from carbohydrates
- Contains vitamin C from orange juice
- Low in fat and sodium
- Can be a source of hydration (from the juice component)
- Often used in social and celebratory settings
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The drink was popularized in the 1970s and is famously linked to the Eagles' song 'Tequila Sunrise,' though its exact origin is debated between a Mexican resort and a Hollywood bar.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 78.2 g |
| Energy | 111 kcal |
| Protein | 0.52 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.23 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 12.6 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.20 g |
| Total Sugars | 9.5 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 38.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.06 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 7.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 14.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 125 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 4.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.04 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.03 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 19.3 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.05 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.03 mg |
| Niacin | 0.03 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.03 mg |
| Folate, total | 20.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 20.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 20.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 4.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 1.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 5.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 5.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 18.0 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 18.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.13 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.20 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 8.1 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.01 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
FAQ
What gives the Tequila Sunrise its layered look?
The layered look is created by slowly pouring grenadine syrup over the back of a spoon into the glass after mixing tequila and orange juice. The grenadine, being denser, sinks to the bottom, creating the red 'sunrise' effect.
Can I make a Tequila Sunrise without grenadine?
Yes, you can substitute grenadine with other red, dense syrups or juices like pomegranate juice, cranberry juice cocktail, or a raspberry syrup to achieve a similar color gradient and a slightly different flavor profile.
Is a Tequila Sunrise a strong cocktail?
It's generally considered a moderate-strength cocktail. The alcohol is diluted by a significant volume of orange juice and ice, making it smoother and less potent than a straight spirit or a more concentrated cocktail like a Martini.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.11 kcal/g · 2% calories from protein · 0.2 g fiber · 9.5 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.03 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.