• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Short Order Cook

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Food & Fun
  • Products I Love
  • Travel & Dining
  • Meet Angela
    • Bluesky
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Food & Fun
    • Products I Love
    • Travel & Dining
    • Meet Angela
    • Bluesky
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Appetizers & Drinks

    Updated: Sep 6, 2024 · Published: Nov 14, 2021 · by Angela · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    Vodka Sunrise

    Jump to Recipe

    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.

    Vodka Sunrise two glasses ready to drink with orange wedge garnish and red straws

    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.

    Glasses of vodka sunrise with straws.

    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.

    Jump to:
    • Tequila Sunrise vs Vodka Sunrise
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make a Vodka Sunrise
    • Garnish the Vodka Sunrise Cocktails
    • Vodka Sunrise
    • More Easy Cocktail Recipes

    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.

    Vodka Sunrise ingredients

    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.

    Vodka Sunrise overhead of ingredients and two glasses with ice

    This drink is all about adding the ingredients in the right order, here is how to pour the perfect vodka sunrise cocktail:

    1. Prep the Garnish
    2. Pour the Orange Juice
    3. Add the Vodka
    4. 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.

    Vodka Sunrise two glasses with ice and orange juice and other ingredients and straws on the counter

    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.

    Vodka Sunrise adding shot of vodka to the orange juice and ice in the glasses

    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.

    Vodka Sunrise adding grenadine into the glass

    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.

    Vodka Sunrise two glasses filled and the grenadine slowly dripping to the bottom inside and through the orange juice

    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 PIN2 two glasses filled with the layered orange and red cocktail
    Vodka Sunrise featured two glasses and oranges slices and half

    Vodka Sunrise

    Angela
    For a gorgeous colorful cocktail with vodka & orange juice, make this easy recipe. The colorful layers make you feel you are on vacation in a tropical location enjoying a peaceful sunrise.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share on Facebook
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2
    Calories 291 kcal

    Equipment

    • 2 High Ball Glasses

    Ingredients
      

    • 1.5 Cup Orange Juice
    • 4 Oz Vodka
    • 2 Oz grenadine
    • ice
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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

    Calories: 291kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 1gFat: 0.4gSaturated Fat: 0.04gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 10mgPotassium: 381mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 372IUVitamin C: 93mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 0.4mg
    Keyword 3-ingredient, beverage, cocktail, drink, fruit, happy hour, juice, liquor, mixology, orange, party, shot, summer, vodka
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    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.

    • PINA COLADA ON THE ROCKS
    • SPICY JALAPENO MOSCOW MULE
    • PURPLE PASSION COCKTAIL
    « Christmas Rice Krispies Treats Wreath
    Can You Freeze Leeks? »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Patrice says

      December 15, 2021 at 7:58 pm

      5 stars
      So pretty and tasty. I do not like tequila so was happy to find a sunrise recipe to make with vodka.

      Reply
    2. Randy says

      January 04, 2022 at 1:42 pm

      5 stars
      Hit the spot. I recommend this recipe for anyone that likes vodka.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        January 04, 2022 at 8:06 pm

        Thanks - calling all Vodka Lovers!

        Reply
    3. Riley says

      May 06, 2022 at 10:00 pm

      5 stars
      The best drink for our bachelorette beach party. They went down too easy & a bunches of stuff we cannot repeat, HA.

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Angela the short order cook on a step stool reaching into the top kitchen cupboard.

    Hi, I'm Angela I’m Angela, a petite mom that loves to cook, eat, drink, & explore all things food. As a former personal chef & caterer, I specialize in family recipes that taste great & are easy to make. I rely on my trusty stool every day to create & test recipes I know you will love.

    More about me →

    This site has links to products/services that may make us a commission. #ad

    Popular

    • Red Velvet Brownies with Cake Mix cut in squares on a counter with white chocolate chips.
      Red Velvet Brownies with Cake Mix
    • Deep Fried Sweet Potato Fries featured close up with dipping sauces on the bottom
      Deep-Fried Sweet Potato Fries
    • 4- Ingredient Key Lime Pie in graham cracker crust topped with whipped cream.
      Easy 4- Ingredient Key Lime Pie
    • Naked Chicken Wings on a plate.
      Naked Chicken Wings
    • How to Cook Turkey Bacon in the Microwave Oven featured
      How to Cook Turkey Bacon in the Microwave Oven
    • Fried Spaghetti with Eggs featured closeup overhead of bowl filled and topped with parmesan and parsley
      Fried Spaghetti with Eggs
    • Chocolate Marshmallow Ice Cream Overhead two bowls of ice cream and black napkin.
      Chocolate Marshmallow Ice Cream
    • A set of black pots and pans.
      Best Pots & Pans for Gas Stove
    Try Audible Plus
    Join Amazon Prime - Watch Thousands of Movies & TV Shows Anytime - Start Free Trial Now
    Create an Amazon Wedding Registry
    Shop Amazon - Create an Amazon Baby Registry

    The Short Order Cook LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

    Top Categories

    • Main Dishes
    • Desserts
    • Italian
    • Holidays
    • Southern
    • Recipe Roundups

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms of Service
    • Disclosure Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work With Me
    • Meet Angela
    • Meet the Family

    Copyright © 2019- 2025 The Short Order Cook LLC, All Rights Reserved. All recipes, original photos, and articles on this site are the property of The Short Order Cook LLC. You are welcome to share an original photo ONLY with an accompanying do-follow link to this site. Publishing any item as if it were your own is prohibited & illegal. The Short Order Cook tests every recipe & never uses AI to create recipes or images.

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read Privacy Policy
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT