It’s not just another tequila sunrise—it’s the Original Tequila Sunrise recipe from the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. The resort’s longtime bartender, Gene Sulit, created the now-legendary drink in the 1930s after a hotel guest requested a refreshing tequila cocktail to enjoy poolside. Crafted with tequila, fresh lime juice, crème de cassis, pomegranate juice and club soda, the original recipe creates its signature sunrise effect as the crème de cassis settles to the bottom of the glass.
While the orange juice version popularized in the 1970s became a global classic, the Arizona Biltmore continues to serve Sulit’s original creation, offering guests the chance to sip a true piece of cocktail history. Wedding couples at the resort often incorporate the Tequila Sunrise into their celebrations.
Yield: 1 cocktail
INGREDIENTS
2 ounces Don Julio Blanco Tequila
0.75 ounce Lejay Crème de Cassis (black currant liqueur)
0.75 ounce lime juice
0.25 ounce pomegranate juice (or substitute with grenadine)
4 ounces Fever Tree club soda
Dehydrated blood-orange wheel for garnish
METHOD
Combine tequila, pomegranate juice and lime juice in a 16-ounce highball glass, then add crème de cassis. Top with crushed ice and club soda, then garnish with a blood-orange wheel.
Recipe and photo courtesy of Arizona Biltmore
