This vibrant Vodka Sunrise recipe is layered with sweet orange juice, tart grenadine, and smooth vodka for a stunning sunrise effect in every glass! It's refreshing, easy to make, and perfect for lazy weekend mornings or fun gatherings with friends.
If you love bright and fruity brunch cocktails, try my Blueberry Gin Sour Cocktail, Pineapple Martini or Simple Cherry Vodka Sour Recipe!
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 like my Breakfast Sliders, Cheesy Scrambled Eggs or Quiche Lorraine with Spinach and Bacon!
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Recipe Highlights
- Beautiful ombré “sunrise” look! Perfect for serving guests.
- Ready in just 5 minutes with minimal effort and simple ingredients
- Perfectly balanced sweet, tart, and boozy flavors
Ingredient Notes
- Orange Juice - use your favorite store-bought, or freshly squeezed with no pulp.
- Vodka - 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.
Vodka Sunrise vs. Vodka Sunset
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.
Charlotte's Tips for the Perfect Vodka Sunrise Drink
- Chill your glass in the freezer for a frosty presentation.
- 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.
- You can set up a self-service station with all the ingredients and instructions so guests can make their own!
Recipe Variations
- Add 1 oz cranberry juice for a sunrise that leans pinker.
- Swap vodka for tequila to make a classic Tequila Sunrise instead.
- Turn it into a sparkling cocktail by topping it with prosecco.
- This Bahama Mama is another delicious cocktail that contains orange juice and grenadine with even more tropical flavors!
Recipe Substitutions
- Use silver tequila or light rum instead of vodka.
- You can try marischino cherry syrup if grenadine isn't available.
Storage Tips
Cocktails like this are best made fresh. However, you can pre-mix vodka and orange juice and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours, then add ice and grenadine when serving.
I hope you love this Vodka Sunrise Cocktail. If you make this recipe, leave a comment and a rating! I'd love to know how you liked it. Enjoy, xoxo!
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!
Jane says
I love the idea of adding prosecco to this to make it bubbly! Who needs a brunch date to enjoy this? I think this would make a perfect poolside drink! It looks delicious!
Charlotte Singh-Dhanraj says
I agree this would be perfect by the pool with prosecco! Cheers!