• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Short Order Cook

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Food & Fun
  • Travel & Dining
  • Meet Angela
  • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Food & Fun
    • Travel & Dining
    • Meet Angela
    • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Appetizers & Drinks

    Published: Nov 14, 2021 · Modified: Feb 23, 2023 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 is a blend of cherry, tangy citrus, and smooth vodka for a sip that is delightful and smells like a tropical locale.

    This 3-ingredient cocktail is so easy to make and tastes as if a bartender made it, especially for you at the poolside bar.  It is sweet & fruity just like my watermelon martini recipe. It is a special occasion party cocktail that is perfect for summer BBQs, the 4th of July, and pool parties.

    Vodka Sunrise PIN2 two glasses filled with the layered orange and red cocktail

    This is one gorgeous vodka cocktail. The red and orange are bright and hard to resist. This recipe was inspired by the #1 cocktail on the blog - the amazing Candy Corn Martini. Both drinks have vibrant colors & are deliciously sweet.

    Jump to:
    • Tequila Sunrise vs Vodka Sunrise
    • Ingredients for a Vodka Sunrise
    • How to Make a Vodka Sunrise
    • Garnish the Vodka Sunrise Cocktails
    • More Easy Cocktail Recipes
    • PIN FOR SAFEKEEPING & SHARING!
    • Vodka Sunrise

    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 and then are finished with a slow pour of grenadine. That slow pour of the thick sweet cherry-flavored grenadine is what settles to the bottom and creates the stunning layers in the vodka sunrise drink.

    Ingredients for a Vodka Sunrise

    The 3 ingredients to make the perfect vodka sunrise include orange juice, grenadine, and your favorite vodka.  You do not want orange juice that has a lot of pulp. You want a smooth pulp-free orange juice to blend with the grenadine and alcohol.    This vodka sunrise recipe is simple and only takes a minute to mix so be ready to enjoy this refreshing and gorgeous drink in no time.

    Vodka Sunrise ingredients

    Best Vodka for a Sunrise Cocktail

    To make a great vodka sunrise at home, simply use your favorite vodka.  You want a plain one, nothing fancy or flavored.  We love the Kirkland brand at Costco, as you can see. 

    Other great vodkas to use to mix a vodka sunrise include Belvedere, Grey Goose, Titos, Ketel One, Svedka, or Absolut.  All of these vodka brands are great to add to orange juice. To find out more check out 16 BEST VODKA BRANDS.

    How to Make a Vodka Sunrise

    To mix the best vodka sunrise, follow this quick and easy recipe.   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

    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.  Now, pour the orange juice over the ice. The glasses should be about 80% full at this point.

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

    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

    Add the Grenadine

    The last pour will be with the grenadine. Since this is a sweet syrupy mixer,  it is thick and heavy.  Pour 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.

    If you love this cocktail, you will also love my unique twist on a tequila sunrise.  For two great tequila and juice cocktail recipes try out TEQUILA SUNRISE WITH TWO UNIQUE TWISTS.   If you love tangelos or pineapple orange juice, this Codigo tequila cocktail is for you.

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

    More Easy Cocktail Recipes

    Here are a few of my favorite drink & shooter recipes.  These alcoholic recipes will turn any time of day into happy hour.

    • Two Purple Passions
      Purple Passion Cocktail
    • Two glasses filled with pina colada on the rocks and garnished with fresh pineapple wedges.
      Pina Colada on the Rocks
    • Texas Ranch Water featured 2 glasses ready to drink with green straws and lime slices
      Texas Ranch Water
    • spicy jalapeno basil moscow mules ready to drink in copper mugs
      Spicy Jalapeno Basil Moscow Mule

    PIN FOR SAFEKEEPING & SHARING!

    Vodka Sunrise PIN two glasses ready to drink with straws and orange wedge garnish
    Vodka Sunrise PINREDO
    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
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2

    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.

    Notes

    Nutrition Facts
    Servings: 2
    Amount per serving  
    Calories 300
    % Daily Value*
    Total Fat 0.4g 0%
    Saturated Fat 0.1g 0%
    Cholesterol 0mg 0%
    Sodium 2213mg 96%
    Total Carbohydrate 42g 15%
    Dietary Fiber 0.4g 1%
    Total Sugars 38.3g  
    Protein 1.3g  
    Vitamin D 0mcg 0%
    Calcium 2mg 0%
    Iron 2mg 13%
    Potassium 373mg 8%
    *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.
    Keyword 3-ingredient, beverage, cocktail, drink, fruit, happy hour, juice, liquor, mixology, orange, party, shot, summer, vodka

    Product Recommendations for this Recipe - #ad:

    The Short Order Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. This helps with the costs of running the blog. Thank you! 

    Did you make this The Short Order Cook Recipe?

    Tag @theshortordercookblog (Instagram & Facebook) or @shortorder_cook (Twitter). 

    I would love to see your latest creations and kitchen adventures.

     

    « 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. I have been cooking since I could pull up a stool to finally reach the counter. I still rely on my trusty stool every day. I am a former personal chef turned blogger that hopes you find something new & tasty to love while you are here.

    More about me →

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

    Popular

    • Slow Cooker Corned Beef featured close up
      Slow Cooker Corned Beef
    • A set of black pots and pans.
      Best Pots & Pans for Gas Stove
    • Teriyaki chicken on a stick stacked on a plate with dipping sauce
      Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick
    • Homemade Snickers Bars featured 5 stack
      Homemade Snickers Bars
    • Slow Cooker Potato Leek Soup overhead
      Slow Cooker Potato Leek Soup
    • Overhead of cast iron skillet with creamy coconut chicken thighs ready to top with cilantro, green onion, and hot sauce.
      Creamy Coconut Chicken 
    • A bun topped with 3-ingredient sloppy joe meat and cheese.
      3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes (Gluten-Free)
    • Best Ever Mango Ice Cream featured two bowls close mango bottom corner
      Best Ever Mango Ice Cream (with Ice Cream Maker)

    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

    #ad The Short Order Cook LLC is an affiliate of ButcherBox. I have been a customer for years and cannot recommend it enough. Great prices & even better meat! Sign up today.

    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 © 2023 The Short Order Cook LLC All recipes, photos, and articles on this site are the property of The Short Order Cook LLC. You are welcome to share a photo ONLY with an accompanied do-follow link back to this site. Publishing any items as if they were your own is prohibited.

    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