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If you want a showy drink that tastes awesome and is totally booze-free, I always go for this bright Sunrise Mocktail. It just takes orange juice and grenadine, poured so they form a sunrise right in the cup. Kids love the fun look, and grownups never miss the alcohol at brunch or a summer get-together.
No matter when I whip up this drink, it always grabs attention. Even folks who say they don’t go for sweet drinks are asking for more. I make it for family brunch and it’s always a hit.
Vibrant Ingredients
- Maraschino cherry and orange slice for topping optional: Grab the brightest orange and the glossiest cherry you can for the best garnish
- Grenadine: Brings in a punch of sweetness and gives your drink that sunset splash look for a real deep red syrup not the fake-flavored kind
- Pulp-free orange juice: Brings a strong citrus punch and makes your mocktail nice and smooth
Choose orange juice that really pops—homemade or from a carton both get the job done as long as it doesn’t taste bland
Simple How-To
- Garnish and Serve:
- Drop a fresh orange wheel and a shiny cherry on top—don’t wait, sip it right away for best sunrise layers
- Add the Grenadine:
- Pour grenadine down the inside edge or gently over a spoon so it drops to the bottom for that cool color fade
- Pour the Orange Juice:
- Tip orange juice gently over your ice so it stays in a clear layer at the top
- Chill the Glass:
- Load up a tall glass with ice so your drink stays ice cold from the first sip to the last
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I always go for grenadine because watching it dive through the juice looks magical My niece loved how pretty it was so much she asked for another—just so she didn’t have to finish the first right away
Best Ways to Store
Drink your Sunrise Mocktail right after pouring to see the fun layers Fresh batches can hang out in the fridge for a couple hours just don’t toss in the ice until you’re about to drink or it’ll get watered down Want to prep early? Keep the juice and grenadine apart until you’re ready to pour for guests
Switch-Ups
No grenadine? Pomegranate juice or raspberry syrup stands in just fine and looks great too Squeezing your own oranges tastes awesome but store-bought will work when you’re in a rush Use blood oranges for a deep, bold color if you want to mix things up
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Serving Ideas
This drink is awesome with French toast and waffles for brunch or as a cool drink at an outdoor party It’s perfect at showers or family get-togethers where everyone wants to feel special Tall clear glasses let those colors shine
Fun Origins
This drink comes from the classic tequila sunrise, just without the alcohol so everyone can have some Layered drinks blew up in the 1970s at summer parties and people still love them for happy occasions and throwback vibes
Common Questions
- → What makes the layered sunrise look happen?
Just let the grenadine slip down slowly through the orange juice and it naturally stays at the bottom, giving you those sunrise colors.
- → Is it okay to swap in fresh orange juice?
For sure, fresh juice makes it taste brighter and gives you a more real orange punch.
- → Which glass shows off this drink best?
Tall glasses like highballs or tumblers show off the pretty layers and colors perfectly.
- → What other toppings can I use?
Besides the go-to cherry or orange wedge, try adding a twist of lemon if you want something a little bit tangier.
- → Can I fix this drink in advance?
If you want the layers and coldness to look just right, put it together right before you serve instead of ahead of time.