Blood Orange Tequila Sunrise

How to Make Blood Orange Tequila Sunrise

1. 1

   Step 1: Prep and rim the glasses

   Place the coarse chili-salt in a shallow dish. Rub a lime wedge around the rims of four highball or Collins glasses and dip each into the chili-salt to coat evenly. Set the glasses aside to dry while you make the cocktails.

   For this step

   • 2 tbspCoarse chili-salt (for rimming)
   
2. 2

   Step 2: Muddle jalapeño with agave and mix juices

   In a cocktail shaker, add the sliced jalapeño and the agave syrup, then gently muddle to release aroma and a bit of heat—avoid pulverizing the pepper if you want milder spice. Add the blood orange juice and fresh lime juice to the shaker and give it a quick stir to combine and chill slightly.

   For this step

   • 12 ozFresh blood orange juice
   • 2 ozFresh lime juice
   • 2 ozAgave syrup
   • 1 medium jalapeñoFresh jalapeño, sliced (seeds optional)
   
3. 3

   Step 3: Add tequila, ice, and shake

   Pour the blanco tequila into the shaker with the juice mixture, add a generous handful of ice, and shake vigorously for about 10–12 seconds until well chilled. Fill the prepared glasses with fresh ice and strain the shaken mixture evenly into each glass.

   For this step

   • 6 ozBlanco (silver) tequila
   • 4 cups iceIce
   
4. 4

   Step 4: Layer grenadine and garnish

   Slowly pour about ½ ounce (15 ml) of grenadine into each glass over the back of a spoon or down the inside edge so it sinks and creates the sunrise gradient. Garnish each glass with a blood orange wheel and, if desired, a thin jalapeño slice, then serve immediately.

   For this step

   • 2 ozGrenadine
   • 4 wheelBlood orange wheels (garnish)
   

1. Place the coarse chili-salt in a shallow dish. Rub a lime wedge around the rims of four highball or Collins glasses and dip each into the chili-salt to coat evenly. Set the glasses aside to dry while you make the cocktails.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add the sliced jalapeño and the agave syrup, then gently muddle to release aroma and a bit of heat—avoid pulverizing the pepper if you want milder spice. Add the blood orange juice and fresh lime juice to the shaker and give it a quick stir to combine and chill slightly.
3. Pour the blanco tequila into the shaker with the juice mixture, add a generous handful of ice, and shake vigorously for about 10–12 seconds until well chilled. Fill the prepared glasses with fresh ice and strain the shaken mixture evenly into each glass.
4. Slowly pour about ½ ounce (15 ml) of grenadine into each glass over the back of a spoon or down the inside edge so it sinks and creates the sunrise gradient. Garnish each glass with a blood orange wheel and, if desired, a thin jalapeño slice, then serve immediately.