The Cocktail College Podcast: The Tequila Sunrise

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It’s sweet, it’s colorful, and it’s got a history wilder than a Rolling Stones tour bus — it’s the Tequila Sunrise. While it might look like a poolside guilty pleasure, behind the gradient glow lies a story of rock ‘n’ roll excess, reinvention, and one major identity crisis.

As it turns out, the original Tequila Sunrise wasn’t even orange. It was a dark, cassis-laced concoction born sometime in the 1930s. But in the ‘70s, a revamped version made waves in California, caught the attention of Mick Jagger, and fueled an entire tour — quite literally. Soon enough, it was everywhere. But then came the drink’s fall from grace. Perhaps it was just too sweet and simple to enjoy ubiquity beyond the ‘80s. But today, with fresh ingredients and the right technique, the Tequila Sunrise could serve as proof that the disco genre of drinks is worth reconsidering.

Today on the “Cocktail College” podcast, Tim McKirdy is joined by Nikolas Vagenas, bartender and co-owner of Brooklyn’s Mr. Melo to discuss what makes or breaks a Tequila Sunrise. Tune in for more.

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Nikolas Vagenas’s Tequila Sunrise Recipe

Ingredients

½ ounce agave/grenadine mix (1 part water, 1 part agave syrup, 1 part pomegranate molasses)
½ ounce Luxardo cherry syrup (diluted slightly)
2 ounces blanco tequila
¾ ounce acid-adjusted orange juice*
2 dashes orange bitters
Splash of soda
Garnish: orange slice and Luxardo cherry

Directions

Build all ingredients in a chilled highball glass in the order listed.
Add ice and garnish with an orange slice and Luxardo cherry.
Serve, directing the guest to stir before drinking.