Skip to content
The Little Epicurean
  • About
  • Desserts & Baking
  • Ingredient Index
  • Recipe Index
facebookinstagrampinteresttiktok
  • Recipes
  • Cuisine
    • Asian
    • Filipino
    • French
    • Italian
    • Japanese
    • Mexican
  • Desserts
    • All Desserts
    • Breads & Rolls
    • Brownies, Bars, & Pastries
    • Cakes
    • Cookies
    • Cupcakes & Muffins
    • Donuts, Pancakes, & Waffles
    • Ice Cream
    • Pies & Tarts
    • Porridge & Puddings
    • Scones & Biscuits
  • Drinks
    • All Drinks
    • Cocktails
    • Coffee & Tea
    • Mocktails
    • Smoothies
  • Ingredient
    • Cheese
    • Chocolate
    • Coffee
    • Meat
    • Nuts
    • Peanut Butter
    • Pumpkin
    • Seafood
    • Vegetables
  • Occasion
    • Birthday
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Memorial Day
    • Mother’s Day
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Contact
facebookinstagrampinteresttiktok
Home ·  Recipes ·  Modern

Strawberry Tequila Sunrise

Author: Maryanne CabreraPublished: May 4, 2017Updated: Jun 21, 2023
View Recipe10 Reviews
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

A fresh spin on a classic cocktail. Strawberry tequila sunrise replaces grenadine syrup with fresh strawberry puree.

Strawberry Tequila Sunrise

Cinco de Mayo is a big deal in Southern California.

I bet gallons upon gallons of margaritas and beers are consumed, along with pounds of chips, guacamole, and tacos!

Cinco de Mayo is often mistaken for Mexico’s Independence Day (from Spain). However, that’s a different celebration held on September 16.

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican Army’s victory over the French.

I’ll be enjoying the weekend taking turns sipping between spicy jalapeno margarita and strawberry tequila sunrise.

Strawberry Tequila Sunrise

Tequila Sunrise

Tequila sunrise is a classic cocktail.

Along with screwdrivers, Midori sours, and Long Island iced teas, it is a drink that doesn’t get much updating.

Strawberry Tequila Sunrise

Let’s change that! Stop using store-bought sour mixes and pre-made drink mixes.

Use fresh ingredients for a much more flavorful and delicious cocktail.

Make your own sour mix by simply combining fresh squeezed lime juice, lemon juice, and sugar.

Fresh squeezed orange juice tastes best.

If that isn’t an option, use the highest quality bottled 100% orange juice you can find. Try to use one that isn’t made from concentrate.

Strawberry Tequila Sunrise

Grenadine Syrup

Tequila sunrise served most bars are simply subpar.

There is usually too much sweetness from the orange juice and grenadine syrup.

Any earthy notes from the tequila are completely lost.

Store-bought grenadine is usually artificially colored. It’s loaded with high-fructose corn syrup and preservatives.

High quality grenadine is made with all natural ingredients: pomegranate juice, sugar, and water.

In my opinion, Small Hand Foods makes the best grenadine.

fresh strawberry sauce in spouted container.
Super Flavorful

Fresh Strawberry Sauce

Want more intense fresh strawberry flavor? Freeze dried strawberries are a miracle worker! It’s the key ingredient that makes this fresh strawberry sauce so delicious.

Strawberry Sauce Recipe Here

Fresh Strawberry Syrup for Cocktails

This recipe uses fresh strawberry puree in place of grenadine syrup.

The combination of fresh squeezed orange juice and strawberry puree elevates the standard tequila sunrise into a worthy brunch craft cocktail!

Ripe fresh strawberries work best.

However, you may also use defrosted frozen strawberries. Drain off excess moisture before blending the thawed strawberries.

Strawberry Tequila Sunrise

Tequila Options

There are many tequila brands and varieties to choose.

This strawberry tequila sunrise tastes best with blanco or gold.

  • Blanco (white or silver): clean color, unaged or quickly aged in stainless steel barrels. This is great for mixing into cocktails because of it’s agave forward flavor and strong impression.
  • Gold: gold in color, usually a combination of blanco and resposado. Most of the time, blanco tequila is mixed with caramel coloring to make it look aged.
Strawberry Tequila Sunrise

Strawberry Tequila Sunrise

This spring version of tequila sunrise replaces the traditional grenadine syrup with fresh strawberry puree.
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 1 (multiply as needed)
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 oz strawberry puree
  • 3 oz orange juice
  • 1 ½ oz tequila

Instructions
 

  • Add strawberry puree to a tall serving glass. Fill with ice. Add orange juice and top with tequila. Stir before serving.

Notes

  • To make strawberry puree: blend or process ripe strawberries until smooth. Strain, if desired. Keep chilled until ready to use. Use fresh or defrosted frozen strawberries.
  • Fresh squeezed orange is best! Otherwise, use high quality bottled 100% orange juice.
  • Use your choice of tequila. However, blanco or gold variety is highly recommended. 
All images and text ©The Little Epicurean
Author: Maryanne Cabrera
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: tequila sunrise, strawberry tequila cocktail, strawberry tequila sunrise
Did you make this recipe?Show us on Instagram! Tag @littleepicurean and hashtag #littleepicurean.

Related Fruity Cocktail Recipes

  • Lychee sangria
  • Tiki passion pineapple rum cocktail
  • Mango pineapple sangria slush
  • Frozen strawberry daiquiri
10 Reviews
Filed in:
ModernFourth of July · Fruits · Memorial Day · Mexican · Spring + Summer · Strawberry · Sweet · Tequila

Ask a Question! Cancel Reply

I love hearing from you! Submit your question or review below. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked*.

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Reader Questions and Reviews

  1. Delaney | Melanie Makes says:
    May 4, 2017

    This is the perfect drink for summer gatherings!

    Reply
  2. Renee - Kudos Kitchen says:
    May 4, 2017

    A very nice twist on a classic. Looks tasty! Happy Cinco de Mayo!

    Reply
  3. katerina @ diethood.com says:
    May 5, 2017

    Omg!! I need to try this asap!! Its fabulous!!

    Reply
  4. Amanda | The Chunky Chef says:
    May 5, 2017

    This drink is so beautiful and looks like it tastes absolutely amazing!!

    Reply
  5. Cathy Pollak says:
    May 8, 2017

    This is going on my Sunday list.

    Reply
  6. Lauren @ Hall Nesting says:
    May 8, 2017

    You must have known we were drinking tequila sunrises last week! I love the strawberries!

    Reply
  7. Sandi G says:
    May 12, 2017

    I LOVE the mulled strawberries in this drink.

    Reply
  8. Jessica Robinson says:
    May 26, 2017

    All of your recipes look so delicious!!

    Reply
  9. Sabrina says:
    April 21, 2018

    a great tweak to the standard cocktail, love the strawberry puree, thank you for this one!

    Reply
    • Maryanne Cabrera says:
      April 23, 2018

      Thank you!

Maryanne Cabrera

Meet the Author

Maryanne Cabrera is a classically trained pastry chef, baker, cake maker, and cocktail shaker.
Read more about me

You Might Also Like...

Lychee Sangria

Lychee Sangria

Honey Thyme Margarita

Honey Thyme Margarita

Spiced Vodka Punch

Vodka Spiced Punch and a Waffle Bar

Strawberry Jalapeno Margarita Popsicles

Strawberry Jalapeño Margarita Popsicles

Find Your Next Recipe

The Little Epicurean is a Los Angeles-based recipe blog featuring from-scratch baking, decadent dessert, and unique cocktails.

Let's Get Social!
facebookinstagrampinteresttiktok
Cake

Chocolate Butter Mochi Cake

Inspired by our travels to Maui, this chocolate butter mochi cake features a chewy brownie topped with peanut butter...

Orange Blossom Bundt Cake

This alluring orange blossom bundt cake is moist and buttery. It is naturally flavored with orange zest and orange...
Breads & Rolls

Cheddar Everything Babka Buns

Soft and fluffy Cheddar Everything Babka Buns. These individually portioned muffin buns are loaded with cheddar cheese and everything...

Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls

Carrot cake cinnamon rolls frosted with whipped cream cheese and topped with toasted walnuts. It’s the iconic flavors of...
Cookies

Rye Chocolate Chip Cookies

These aren’t your average chocolate chip cookies. Brown butter rye chocolate chip cookies are nutty and spiced with touch...

White Chocolate Earl Grey Cookies

Soft and chewy Earl Grey Cookies infused with tea and studded with white chocolate chunks. They’re a sweet treat...
As Seen On Better Homes & GardensBuzzfeedHuffington postReal SimpleThe Kitchn
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
© 2023 The Little Epicurean, All Rights Reserved. Design by LH.