Name: Vodka sunrise recipe
Prep time: 3 min
Total time: 3 min
Ingredients: Ice; 2 oz Vodka; 5 oz Orange juice; ½ oz Grenadine

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A refreshing vodka and orange juice cocktail stylishly finished with a grenadine syrup sunrise makes our Vodka sunrise the perfect summer cocktail. If you’re anything like us, then you’ll love the summer, long warm days, alfresco dining, and sharing good times with friends and family and this is out ‘go-to‘ easy cocktail, it never ceases to impress and all of our friends love it.

Stunning vodka sunrise cocktail in a glass with cherries, umbrellas and ready to drink.

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Why you’ll love this refreshing cocktail

If you’ve ever enjoyed the classic tequila sunrise then you’ll love our vodka version.
One of the easiest vodka cocktails, it’s got 3 ingredients and takes 3 minutes to make – what’s not to love?
Serve it in a tall glass, with a manchego cherry garnish and a bright straw and it’s the perfect summer drink!
It’s 100% vegetarian and vegan.

Refreshing, visually alluring, and easy, this is the perfect summer drink!

Close up of a great vodka sunrise cocktail with a straw, a maraschino cherry and a cocktail umbrella.

Is this like a tequila sunrise?

If you like to drink a classic tequila sunrise, then you’ll love this!

It’s based on a classic tequila sunrise drink but instead of using tequila, we use vodka.

We love tequila and another of our favorites is the classic margarita.

So, this is the perfect fruity drink recipe if you’re all out of tequila.

Easy Tequila Sunrise Recipe

Easy Classic Margarita Recipe (3 Ingredients)

Tequila sunrise lovers will love this drink, bright and refreshing, this vodka and orange juice cocktail is a new classic!

What is the difference between a vodka sunrise and a sunset?

In a vodka sunrise recipe, the grenadine is poured into the glass last, it then makes its way to the bottom and sits there like a sun rising as the yellow of the orange surrounds it.

In a vodka sunset, you’d either use red soda water that can float on top of the orange juice, or you stir it all together, so it becomes a stunning red sunset.

vodka, orange juice and grenadine, ingredients needed for a vodka sunrise cocktail.

Can I make this recipe into a mocktail?

Yes, you can and we’ve got the perfect recipe for you, so check out our vodka sunrise mocktail (coming soon) and have a look at our other mocktail recipes too.

Can I use shop-bought orange juice?

Yes, you can.

Freshly squeezed orange juice will always taste better but not everyone has the time to squeeze oranges.

Just make sure you buy a good quality orange juice your vodka sunrise relies heavily on the flavor of the orange juice so you need it to be good.

Is grenadine alcohol?

No, grenadine is not an alcoholic drink.

Grenadine is a bar syrup used to flavor both cocktails and mocktails.

Yellow and red tasty vodka cocktail ready to drink.

Is it vegan?

Yes, our vodka sunrise is vegan, although we always recommend that you check the labels of any product you buy to ensure that recipes haven’t changed – you don’t want any nasty surprises!

What equipment will I need?

All you’ll need to make your vodka sunrise is a tall glass and a cocktail jigger.

How can I store it?

A tasty vodka sunrise only takes 3 minutes to make, so it’s probably worth making it on demand.

However, if you do want to get ahead then you could always mix the vodka and grenadine and store them in the fridge.

Don’t add ice or it’ll dilute the drinks and always add the grenadine when you are about to serve them.

Tasty vodka sunrise cocktail in a tall glass ready to drink.

Recipe notes and expert tips

Don’t have a cocktail umbrella?
Then use an orange slice as garnish.
Not got a jigger?
That’s no problem, use a measuring jug or a shot glass instead.
Want to make this cocktail ahead?
Remember not to add ice as it will dilute the drink and don’t add the grenadine until you are ready to drink it or you won’t get the stunning sunrise effect.
Out of orange juice?
Don’t let a lack of orange juice stop you, try it with pineapple juice instead, it’ll taste different with pineapple juice, but still, look and taste great. Don’t forget the garnish, use an orange slice instead of a pineapple slice.

More vodka cocktails for you to try

If you love vodka, then why not try our other vodka cocktail recipes!

Espresso martini
Long island iced tea
Lemon drop martini
Purple rain
Pornstar martini
And don’t forget the classic tequila sunrise!

Easy Espresso Martini Recipe

Long Island Iced Tea Recipe

Lemon drop martini recipe

Passion fruit martini recipe

A purple rain cocktail freshly made with lime wedges and lime halves around it.

Purple rain cocktail recipe

How to make a vodka sunrise – step by step instructions

Making our vodka sunrise recipe is easy if you follow our simple instructions.

A full printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.

You’ll need a tall glass, ice, vodka, orange juice, and grenadine.

In a highball glass add a generous handful of ice cubes. Next, add vodka and fresh orange juice.

Process shots, add orange juice and add grenadine.

Now, add grenadine syrup to create your sunrise.

We garnished our vodka sunrise with an umbrella and a maraschino cherry but you could also garnish with an orange slice.

Summer sunrise – serve to your friends and enjoy!

Placing a cherry and umbrella garnish on a vodka sunrise.

We hope that you enjoy making our vodka sunrise recipe, then we’d love to hear from you and how you got on.

Please do leave a comment below and if you have any questions on any of our recipes, then please just ask.

Beautiful vodka sunrise ina cocktail glass.

Print Pin Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Vodka sunrise recipe

Looking for a refreshing drink that will help you start your day off right? Look no further than the vodka sunrise! This drink is perfect for those hot summer days when you need something to cool you down. Our vodka sunrise recipe is simple to make and only needs a few ingredients. Cheers!

Prep Time3

Total Time3

Servings

Calories233

Course: Cocktails

Cuisine: American

Author: Jane Chapman

Utensils

Highball glass

Jigger

Ingredients

Ice
2 oz Vodka
5 oz Orange juice
½ oz Grenadine

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

It's time to make your vodka sunrise
In a highball glass add a generous handful of ice cubes. Next, pour your vodka, now pour your fresh orange juice. Now it's time to pour the grenadine syrup to create your sunrise
Ice, 2 oz Vodka, 5 oz Orange juice, ½ oz Grenadine
We garnished our vodka sunrise with an umbrella and a maraschino cherry
Summer sunrise – serve to your friends and enjoy

Notes

If you don’t have a cocktail umbrella, then use an orange slice as garnish
Not got a jigger? That’s no problem, use a measuring jug or a shot glass instead
If you are making your drinks ahead, remember not to add ice as it will dilute the drink and don’t add the grenadine until you are ready to drink it or you won’t get the stunning sunrise effect

Nutrition

Disclaimer

Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.