A vodka sunrise is a cocktail with beautiful colors that makes you feel like you are at the beach and relaxing. The bright orange and red layers are soothing and relaxing much like a beautiful sunrise. It's sweet, fruity, pretty, & dangerously good.
Why this Vodka Sunrise Recipe is Amazing: This 3-ingredient gorgeous cocktail is so easy to make and tastes as if a bartender made it at a poolside bar.
This is one aesthetically pretty vodka cocktail! Just look at the red and orange ombre layers - hard to resist, right.
This recipe was inspired by the #1 cocktail on the blog - the amazing Candy Corn Martini. Both drinks have vibrant colors & make my top list of the best Simple Vodka Drinks.
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Tequila Sunrise vs Vodka Sunrise
If you are wondering what is the difference between a vodka sunrise and a tequila sunrise, well the only difference is the obvious - the type of alcohol. Both cocktails mix the same orange juice over ice with either vodka or tequila.
Both are finished with a slow pour of grenadine. That slow pour of the thick sweet fruit-flavored grenadine is what settles to the bottom and creates the stunning layers in each drink.
Ingredients
The 3 ingredients to make the perfect vodka sunrise include orange juice, grenadine, and your favorite vodka.
What's the best vodka for this recipe: This works great with any brand - Kirkland, Ketel One, Grey Goose, Absolut, Tito's, Svedka, or Belvedere.
Here are the ingredients needed to make a vodka sunrise cocktail.
- Vodka - plain vodka, nothing flavored or fancy here.
- Orange Juice - it is best without pulp for a smooth sip.
- Grenadine - the pomegranate flavored thick syrup is the star of this alcoholic beverage.
See the recipe card for quantities & substitutions/variations.
How to Make a Vodka Sunrise
There is no mixing, shaking, or blending for this drink. It is all about the SLOW POUR.
Begin by gathering all your ingredients and making sure your orange juice is chilled. Next, fill two highball glasses about ⅔ the way with ice. You can use cubed or crushed ice.
This drink is all about adding the ingredients in the right order, here is how to pour the perfect vodka sunrise cocktail:
- Prep the Garnish
- Pour the Orange Juice
- Add the Vodka
- Drizzle in the Grenadine
1 - Prep the Garnish
Orange you Ready for More?Ok sorry about the silly joke. But this drink is packed with fresh orange goodness. Slice the orange that you will use for garnish. Then cut the slices into wedges so you have them for garnish.
2 - Pour the Orange Juice
Now, pour the orange juice over the ice. The glasses should be about 75% full at this point.
3 - Add the Vodka
Next, add 2 shots of vodka to each highball glass that already has ice and orange juice in it. This cocktail recipe has 2 ounces of alcohol per drink but does not have a strong flavor thanks to the juice and cherry syrup.
It is important to do these pours in the order specified here. This is to ensure everything chills properly but also so the distinct layers that make the infamous sunrise so lovely do develop.
4 - Drizzle in the Grenadine
The last pour will be with the grenadine. Since this is a sweet syrupy mixer, it is thick and heavy.
Drizzle it slowly into each glass and let it float to the bottom where it will settle. This creates the stacked layers of colors that you want.
Notice how the red grenadine is dancing its way down through the orange juice and vodka. The red will settle close to the bottom, with a dark orange middle, and the lightest orange juice layer will be at the top. A vodka sunrise has this beautiful ombre effect that makes you really want one.
Garnish the Vodka Sunrise Cocktails
They are now almost ready to drink. Add your orange wedge garnishes and some straws.
DO NOT STIR, you want to be sure the grenadine stays at the bottom and doesn't mix too much in the drink. Those layers should not be disturbed. Drink immediately and enjoy.
Like my watermelon martini recipe it's a summertime favorite cocktail. It is a special occasion party cocktail that is perfect for summer BBQs, the 4th of July, and pool parties. CHEERS!
Vodka Sunrise
Equipment
- 2 High Ball Glasses
Ingredients
- 1.5 Cup Orange Juice
- 4 Oz Vodka
- 2 Oz grenadine
- ice
Instructions
- Fill each high ball glass with ice cubes until filled about ⅔ the way.
- Pour ¾ C of orange juice into each glass.
- Add 2 shots of vodka to each glass.
- Lastly, slowly pour in 1 oz of grenadine. into each glass Let it trickle down to the bottom of the glass. DO NOT STIR.
- If using a straw or adding a garnish, finish with that.
Nutrition
More Easy Cocktail Recipes
Here are a few of my favorite cocktail recipes. These alcoholic drinks will turn any time of day into happy hour.
Patrice says
So pretty and tasty. I do not like tequila so was happy to find a sunrise recipe to make with vodka.
Randy says
Hit the spot. I recommend this recipe for anyone that likes vodka.
Angela says
Thanks - calling all Vodka Lovers!
Riley says
The best drink for our bachelorette beach party. They went down too easy & a bunches of stuff we cannot repeat, HA.