Tequila is currently enjoying a moment of popularity, with over 200 new tequila brands entering the market each year, as reported by industry sources. In fact, the Tequila Matchmaker database suggests there are over 2,300 tequila brands currently available.
Back in the day, however, Cinco de Mayo was the only occasion when tequila was truly celebrated in the United States. With this in mind, we decided to take a nostalgic trip back to the origins of the first tequila-based cocktail to gain widespread recognition in the U.S.: the Tequila Sunrise.
Although the drink gained popularity during the 1970s, the version most people are familiar with today, thanks to the influence of the Rolling Stones and their 1972 summer tour, is an orange juice-heavy, cloyingly sweet concoction. However, the original Tequila Sunrise, created at The Wright Bar within the Arizona Biltmore in the 1930s, features pomegranate syrup (grenadine), crème de cassis, lime juice, and club soda. Jim Kearns, the Arizona Biltmore’s director of beverage, describes the OG Tequila Sunrise as “slightly dry with an effervescent, refreshing finish.”
Surprisingly, many guests at the resort are caught off guard by the absence of orange juice in the original Tequila Sunrise, given its strikingly different flavor profile compared to the popular version from Mick Jagger’s era. Kearns explains, “We do add a nod to the orange, by garnishing the cocktail with a blood orange wheel, but the lack of orange juice is always the first impression and a great conversation starter.”
How to Make the Original Tequila Sunrise
To recreate the Arizona Biltmore’s original Tequila Sunrise at home, we recommend using high-quality grenadine for the best results. Kearns emphasizes the importance of using fresh lime juice and considers it irreplaceable. Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. blanco tequila (Don Julio is recommended)
- .75 oz. lime juice
- .75 oz. Lejay Crème de Cassis
- .25 oz. grenadine (suggested brand: Liber & Co.)
Preparation:
Combine all ingredients in a pint glass and stir quickly to combine. Fill the glass with crushed ice (preferably pebble ice). Top with soda water and garnish with a blood orange wheel.
According to Kearns, another cocktail that effectively showcases the distinct flavors and aromas of tequila is the Cantarito. Here’s how to make it:
How to Make a Cantarito
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. blanco tequila
- .5 oz. lime juice
- .5 oz. lemon juice
- .5 oz. grapefruit juice
- .5 oz. orange juice
- .5 oz. Tres Agaves Agave Syrup
Preparation:
Rim a Cantarito mug with Chimoy and Tajin. Combine all ingredients in the mug and give a quick stir to combine. Fill the mug with ice, then top with Jarritos grapefruit-flavored soda. Garnish with half wheels of fresh orange and grapefruit.
While both the Tequila Sunrise and the Cantarito celebrate tequila, Kearns believes that a classic margarita or Tommy’s Margarita best showcases the flavor of distilled Blue Weber agave. Here’s the recipe for Tommy’s Margarita, courtesy of Julio Bermejo at Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco:
How to Make Tommy’s Margarita
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. reposado tequila
- 1 oz. lime juice
- .5 oz. agave nectar
Preparation:
Rim half of a rocks glass with salt. Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin with ice and shake well. Strain into the rocks glass and garnish with a lime wedge.
If you’re wondering which tequila styles or brands work best in various recipes, Kearns recommends conducting side-by-side taste tests. Only through this method can you truly understand how a particular tequila’s characteristics will influence the overall flavor profile of a cocktail. Kearns explains, “Some tequilas have floral characteristics, while others have pronounced notes of pepper and spice. Some exhibit strong citrus notes, while others, especially Valles or lowland tequilas, tend to have earthy characteristics. The best-suited tequilas for a specific recipe depend heavily on the other ingredients used and the individual drinker’s preferences.”
If you’re up for some at-home experimentation, Kearns encourages tasting and analyzing the unique flavors of a particular tequila first. Then, pair it with modifiers and other ingredients that complement its foundational characteristics. “Identify the standout flavors in the spirit, and then use other ingredients that will enhance or harmonize with those flavors,” advises Kearns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What is the original Tequila Sunrise cocktail?
The original Tequila Sunrise cocktail was created at The Wright Bar in the Arizona Biltmore during the 1930s. It features pomegranate syrup (grenadine), crème de cassis, lime juice, and club soda, resulting in a slightly dry and refreshing drink.
How do I make the original Tequila Sunrise?
To make the original Tequila Sunrise, combine 2 oz. blanco tequila, .75 oz. lime juice, .75 oz. Lejay Crème de Cassis, and .25 oz. grenadine in a pint glass. Stir quickly to combine, then fill the glass with crushed ice. Top with soda water and garnish with a blood orange wheel.
What are the distinctive flavors of tequila?
Tequila can exhibit a range of flavors, including floral characteristics, pronounced notes of pepper and spice, strong citrus notes, and earthy characteristics for Valles or lowland tequilas. The specific flavor profile depends on the brand and style of tequila.
What is a Cantarito cocktail?
A Cantarito is a cocktail that effectively showcases the distinct flavors and aromas of tequila. It is made by combining 2 oz. blanco tequila, .5 oz. lime juice, .5 oz. lemon juice, .5 oz. grapefruit juice, .5 oz. orange juice, and .5 oz. Tres Agaves Agave Syrup in a Cantarito mug. Top with Jarritos grapefruit-flavored soda and garnish with half wheels of fresh orange and grapefruit.
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