Not just delicious with the flavors of Tequila, Orange Juice and Pomegranate (or Cranberry), this Tequila Sunrise Margarita is beautiful too!
Today is National Margarita Day. A day in the middle of the week, in the middle of winter.
Every year I wonder who decided on that time frame because even though I will now enjoy a margarita in the winter with seasonal flavors, it will forever remain in my heart as the quintessential summer drink.
Mexico. Tequila. Warmth.
None of that says February. But I’m a sucker for a day devoted to my all time favorite cocktail so I’m celebrating with this Tequila Sunrise Margarita Cocktail and it’s a beautiful thing.
I was asked by a tequila brand to feature a recipe of theirs and use their product. The problem is that I had none of their product on hand and I didn’t want anymore because I already have enough for a small liquor store.
I’ve got all of my liquor and liqueurs organized and catalogued and with 14 bottles of tequila on the shelves; I’m not needing anymore for a bit.
Like in five years maybe. So I used their recipe as my inspiration and made it my own.
One thing I know about a Tequila Sunrise, they are supposed to show a layering that mimics the colors of a real sunrise.
The recipe I was given had all the ingredients shaken together and while a sort of pretty pinkish orange color; it just did not work for me. Round One was out of contention.
On to Round Two. I made some revisions; opting to make a cranberry simple syrup instead of grenadine which is basically pomegranate simple syrup.
Why? I had no pomegranate juice in the pantry but did have cranberry and either one works.
Last, but not least by a long shot, I included some orange liqueur. What margarita is made without orange liqueur anyhow; isn’t it one of the main prerequisites? Thanks…I thought so too!
Round Two was much better and I got the results I wanted. The heavier red syrup cuts through the tequila and juice mixture and covered the bottom of the glass.
Yay! BUT I decided to try using an old fashioned margarita glass and even if it looked sort of pretty it bugged me; all of the red cranberry simple syrup was in that little abutment at the bottom of my margarita glass.
I tried mixing it a bit and that was better so I forged ahead with photos. I took probably 50 shots, picked my two favorite and did some work on them in Photoshop and was set to start writing this post about 1pm.
Then something happened. It’s not often but it’s happened before and I’ve learned to not fight it too hard. I just could not wrap my arms around those photos. They weren’t awful, horrible, terrible, no good, very bad photos but they also did not make me happy.
Just as I was ready to start…I quit as suddenly and decided a third go around was necessary. I’m glad I did. Once I do the work to showcase a cocktail; these photos will represent it for many years.
Still, it is why I’m so late getting published today but trust me; no way this margarita loving, cocktail making, food blogger was NOT going to post about a tasty margarita today.
That would have been sacrilege right? So here you have it; a pretty cocktail spiced up a bit and turned into a margarita. Though my intent was to make this Tequila Sunrise Margarita Cocktail for National Margarita Day; trust me, it’s good any day; so pretty and so refreshing.
The good news? I have three batches now sitting in the fridge. Wonder if I can rustle up some drinkers? Hurry before they’re all gone! Cheers!
Want More Margs? I Have Them!
If you love margaritas like I do...you'll want to make a wide variety using the freshest of ingredients. These are some of my best!
PIN IT! ‘Tequila Sunrise Margarita’
Tequila Sunrise Margarita
Ingredients
For the Grenadine (Pomegranate Simple Syrup):
- 2 cups pomegranate juice (or cranberry)
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
For the Rim
- 2 Tbsp Kosher Salt
- 2 Tbsp Sugar (I used cake decorating crystals from Michael's)
For the Tequila Sunrise Margarita:
- 4 oz Tequila blanco
- 3 oz orange juice
- 2 oz lime juice
- 2 oz orange liqueur
- 2 oz Grenadine
For Garnish:
- 2 orange wedges
Instructions
To Make the Grenadine
- Put the pomegranate (or cranberry juice) into a medium pan and heat over medium high heat until reduced by half and you have one cup of liquid. Add the sugar and continue simmering until it is completed combined. Remove from heat and cool completely. Refrigerate for at least an hour.
To Make the Cocktail
- Combine the Kosher salt and sugar and put on a plate. Using an orange wedge, rub the edge of the glasses then turn them upside down and dip the rims in the sugar/salt combo. Fill the glasses with ice cubes and set aside.
- Combine the tequila, lime juice, orange juice, and orange liqueur in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake until cold. Pour the mixture into the prepared glasses.
- Using a small pitcher or a spoon, drizzle the grenadine at the inside edge of the glasses; it should fall to the floor of the glass. Using a knife or straw, mix the grenadine very lightly at the bottom of the glass.
- Garnish each glass with an orange wedge and drizzle additional grenadine over the top of the cocktail right before serving.
Notes
The cranberry simple syrup is included in the nutritional data that is automatically calculated even if it is not all used in the 2 servings specified for the cocktails. Please verify independently if these numbers are critical.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1388Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 7088mgCarbohydrates: 293gFiber: 5gSugar: 274gProtein: 3g
The nutritional information above is computer-generated and only an estimate. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.
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