The Tequila Sunrise is a refreshing cocktail created by bartenders Bobby Lozoff and Billy Rice in the 1970s. Whilst working behind the bar at the Trident Hotel in Sausalito, California, the pair created the cocktail which would become one the most popular of the 1970s.

The popularity of the cocktail soared after a chance meeting between Mick Jagger and the newly invented cocktail at a party held at the Trident Hotel. The cocktail would go on to become a fixture during the Rolling Stones 1972 tour of America, ordered by the band and their entourage all across America. Jose Cuervo tequila would also feature a recipe for the drink on the back of their bottles during the 70s due to its popularity.

The cocktail’s popularity would continue throughout the next two decades with Eagles releasing a song named after popular drink and film starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Mel Gibson, and Kurt Russell also using the name of the refreshing cocktail.

These days you’re unlikely to find the drink on most bar’s cocktail lists, but most experienced bartenders should be able to put one together for you. It’s small list of ingredients also makes its fairly easy to prepare at home.

Ingredients

• 45ml tequila
• 15ml grenadine syrup
• Orange juice
• 1 orange

Preparation

1. Fill a chilled Collins glass with ice cubes
2. Add the tequila to the glass
3.  Fill the glass with orange juice
4. Add the grenadine syrup to the glass slowly to create the sunrise effect.
5. Add a slice of orange to the glass to garnish.