Vodka Sunrise Cocktail

🛒 What do you put in a Vodka Sunrise?

• Vodka- Use the best vodka you have since it is the only alcohol being used. Titos will make it gluten free!
• Grenadine- This is a non-alcoholic sticky syrup that's both tart and sweet. It has a deep red color which gives many drinks a pink hue when blended. You can find it in any grocery store OR make your own here!
• Orange Juice- Use any orange juice you enjoy however I recommend one that's pulp-free! Those little "pulpies" aren't very appealing.

🌅 Getting The Sunrise Look

To get that gorgeous "sunrise" look to your cocktail, the trick is to add your grenadine syrup FIRST to a tall glass with ice. Then mix your orange juice and vodka in a cocktail shaker before adding it over top of the syrup.

You don't want to mix it before serving because then it will turn a pinkish hue defeating the sunrise presentation.

The grenadine stays on the bottom because it is more dense than the orange juice. 

If you love beautiful hues and colorful drinks, you have to make this purple lavender cocktail!

📝 Variations

This is a simple cocktail however you can swap out a few things to keep the sunrise color but meet the needs of your guests.

1. Swap out the vodka! You can use another clear liqueur like tequila or white rum! Coconut rum would be a deliciously tropical addition.
2. Use a different juice! Instead of orange juice, why not try pineapple, peach, mango or a fruity mixture of the two? (Pineapple would be delicious with the coconut rum!)
3. Don't have grenadine? Try using a black currant, pomegranate or cherry juice instead to achieve similar colors. You can even use a drop of red food coloring at the bottom!

🙋‍♂️"What is the difference between a vodka sunrise and a sunset?"

Both drinks have the same ingredients however the difference is mainly HOW the grenadine is added.

When the sun rises, the red is beneath the yellow.

When the sun sets, the red is typically above the yellow.

This is why the red aka grenadine is added on TOP of the orange juice or LAST. It's usually mixed with a soda water to make it lighter (not sink).

Other Cocktails Similar To A Vodka Sunrise

1. Tequila Sunrise: The original inspiration for the Vodka Sunrise, this cocktail features tequila, orange juice, and grenadine. It creates a visually appealing gradient of colors, just like the Vodka Sunrise.

2. Rum Sunset: A variation of the Tequila Sunrise, the Rum Sunset replaces tequila with rum as the base spirit. It typically includes rum, orange juice, and grenadine, resulting in a colorful sunset-like appearance.

3. Peach Sunrise: This cocktail offers a fruity twist by using peach schnapps along with orange juice and grenadine. The peach schnapps adds a sweet and slightly fruity flavor to the classic Sunrise combination.

4. Passion Fruit Sunrise: Adding a tropical touch, the Passion Fruit Sunrise incorporates passion fruit juice alongside orange juice and grenadine. The passion fruit juice brings a tangy and exotic flavor to the mix.

These drinks share similarities with the Vodka Sunrise in terms of using fruit juices and grenadine to create visually striking color effects while offering variations in flavor through the use of different spirits and additional fruit components.