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    Home » Recipes » COCKTAILS

    Vodka Sunrise

    Published: Mar 28, 2022 · Modified: May 16, 2024 by Charlotte Singh-Dhanraj · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Jump to Recipe

    This Vodka Sunrise Cocktail is the perfect complement to brunch! It's light and refreshing with orange juice, vodka, and a hint of grenadine.

    Vodka sunrise cocktail on table with oranges and maraschino cherries.

    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.

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredient Notes
    • How to Make a Vodka Sunrise
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Expert Tips
    • You may also like...
    • Recipe

    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!
    Vodka sunrise glasses on table ready for serving, with cheery and orange garnishes..

    Ingredient Notes

    Ingredients to make a vodka sunrise cocktail.
    • 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

    Vodka and orange juice being poured into glasses.
    • 1. Fill a stemless champagne or highball glass with ice and add vodka.
    • 2. Pour in orange juice.
    Grenadine being poured into orange juice in a glass.
    • 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

    Can you make a vodka sunrise?

    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.

    What goes in a vodka sunrise?

    This easy vodka sunrise recipe consists of vodka, orange juice, and grenadine syrup. An orange slice and maraschino cherry are perfect garnishes as well.

    Vodka sunrise vs. 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.

    Cocktails on table with paper umbrellas.

    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!
    Hand holding a orange juice cocktail with fruit garnish.

    You may also like...

    • How to Make a Cherry Vodka Sour
    • Blueberry Gin Sour Cocktail
    • Americano Cocktail

    This Bahama Mama is another delicious cocktail that contains orange juice and grenadine with even more tropical flavors!

    Recipe

    Vodka cocktail on table with orange slices and paper umbrellas.

    Vodka Sunrise

    Charlotte Singh-Dhanraj
    This Vodka Sunrise Cocktail is the perfect complement to brunch! It's light and refreshing with orange juice, vodka, and a hint of grenadine.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1
    Calories 238 kcal

    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!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 238kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 10mgPotassium: 292mgFiber: 1gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 284IUVitamin C: 71mgCalcium: 17mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword vodka sunrise
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More COCKTAILS

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      Creamy Espresso Martini
    • Americano cocktails on table with oranges and campari.
      Americano Cocktail
    • Cherry vodka sour cocktail on a table.
      Simple Cherry Vodka Sour Recipe

    About Charlotte Singh-Dhanraj

    Welcome to All You Need is Brunch! I'm Charlotte, professional food photographer and recipe developer here behind these delicious and easy Brunch Recipes with over 20 years of cooking and baking experience!

    Comments

    1. Natalie says

      March 30, 2022 at 5:23 pm

      5 stars
      I know what I am making this weekend! It is so beautiful!

      Reply
      • Charlotte Singh-Dhanraj says

        March 31, 2022 at 3:23 am

        Aww thank you so much!
        I hope you love it! xo Charlotte

        Reply
    2. Amelia says

      June 08, 2022 at 3:34 am

      5 stars
      This looks so refreshing for our next summer party! Thanks.

      Reply
      • Charlotte Singh-Dhanraj says

        August 19, 2022 at 4:30 am

        Thank you it's amazing and so easy to make! I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    3. Paula says

      August 24, 2022 at 1:44 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Charlotte Singh-Dhanraj says

        August 25, 2022 at 12:38 am

        Yay! Thanks, Paula! Enjoy!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Charlotte! I'm a mom of 4 beautiful boys with BIG appetites! My family and I are obsessed with Brunch so I blog about Brunch Recipes and all the Brunch Ideas you need, for your next Brunch Party including Breakfast, Lunch, Baking, and Cocktails! Learn More

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