This Vodka Sunrise Cocktail is the perfect complement to brunch! It's light and refreshing with orange juice, vodka, and a hint of grenadine.
I love serving this vodka sunrise drink at brunch as it creates the prettiest sunrise effect in a glass and the classic orange juice base flavor is excellent paired with salty breakfast and brunch fare.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This cocktail is:
- Made with simple ingredients.
- Great for serving a crowd.
- The attractive sunrise effect made with the grenadine and orange juice is beautiful for serving guests!
Ingredient Notes
- Orange Juice - use your favorite with no pulp.
- Vodka - again use whatever vodka you enjoy.
- Grenadine Syrup- is traditionally made of a pomegranate juice reduction. I use Roses as it's easily available.
- Ice
- Maschino Cherries and Orange Slices for garnish.
How to Make a Vodka Sunrise
- 1. Fill a stemless champagne or highball glass with ice and add vodka.
- 2. Pour in orange juice.
- 3. Carefully pour in grenadine syrup along the side of the glass.
- 4. Allow the grenadine to settle and create the "sunrise effect". Then garnish with an orange slice and maraschino cherry if desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Absolutely! The Classic Tequila Sunrise Cocktail is very popular but if you don't have tequila on hand or prefer something a little milder for brunch, substituting vodka is perfectly fine.
This easy vodka sunrise recipe consists of vodka, orange juice, and grenadine syrup. An orange slice and maraschino cherry are perfect garnishes as well.
A vodka sunset recipe is very similar in ingredients to the sunrise. Instead of grenadine syrup, the vodka sunset drink recipe has cranberry juice and it is garnished with a lemon instead of orange and cherry.
Expert Tips
- The trickiest part about making this cocktail is creating the beautiful sunrise effect. Pouring the grenadine at the side of the glass from up high works really well. You could also pour the grenadine over the back of a spoon.
- If you are hosting a brunch party you could have a bunch of these made in advance on a serving tray in the refrigerator (just leave out the ice or they will be watery)and bring them out when guests arrive as a signature drink.
- You can also set up a self-service station with all the ingredients and instructions so guests can make their own!
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Recipe
Vodka Sunrise
Equipment
- bar Jigger
- stemless champagne glass
Ingredients
- ice
- 1.5 ounces vodka
- 5 ounces orange juice
- 1 ounce grenadine syrup
- orange slice & maraschino cherry garnish
Instructions
- Add ice to a stemless champagne glass (or tall glass of your choice).
- Pour in vodka.
- Add orange juice and stir.
- Carefully pour the grenadine from high up on the side of the glass or over the back of a spoon.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry and orange slice and enjoy!
Notes
- The trickiest part about making this cocktail is creating the beautiful sunrise effect. Pouring the grenadine at the side of the glass from up high works really well. You could also pour the grenadine over the back of a spoon.
- If you are hosting a brunch party you could have a bunch of these made in advance on a serving tray in the refrigerator (just leave out the ice or they will be watery)and bring them out when guests arrive as a signature drink.
- You can also set up a self-service station with all the ingredients and instructions so guests can make their own!
Natalie says
I know what I am making this weekend! It is so beautiful!
Charlotte Singh-Dhanraj says
Aww thank you so much!
I hope you love it! xo Charlotte
Amelia says
This looks so refreshing for our next summer party! Thanks.
Charlotte Singh-Dhanraj says
Thank you it's amazing and so easy to make! I hope you enjoy it!
Paula says
Yum! This is my favorite cocktail at my local bar and I had no idea it was so simple to make at home. Thanks for sharing - glad I can make this at home at a fraction of the cost!
Charlotte Singh-Dhanraj says
Yay! Thanks, Paula! Enjoy!