This Corona Sunrise is a bright, sweet citrus cocktail with a stunning ombré color. One sip explains why it went viral on TikTok—refreshing, easy to make, and perfect for gatherings.
The Corona Sunrise takes inspiration from the classic tequila sunrise but swaps in beer for a playful twist. It balances tart orange, sweet pomegranate grenadine, and smooth tequila inside a chilled beer bottle, which creates the signature layered sunrise look. It’s incredibly simple to prepare — everything is mixed right in the bottle, so there are no extra glasses to wash. That convenience makes it a favorite at parties where guests can customize their own bottles.
If you enjoy citrus-forward drinks, try other light, fruity cocktails such as a Blue Lagoon, Sea Breeze, or Greyhound. The freshness and bright color of a Corona Sunrise pair well with warm-weather gatherings, barbecues, and beach days.
Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips
- Tequila: A mixto tequila like Jose Cuervo Especial works well and keeps the cocktail approachable. Higher-end blanco tequilas such as Patron or Casamigos are also fine if you prefer a cleaner agave flavor.
- Orange juice: For the smoothest texture use no-pulp orange juice. Freshly squeezed orange or tropical blends (orange-pineapple or orange-mango) add pleasant variation.
- Grenadine: A pomegranate-based sweet syrup that provides the deep red layer. Look for it in the mixers section of the store. You can also make homemade grenadine if you prefer.
- Beer: Use a pale Mexican lager such as Corona, Modelo, or Pacifico. The light body and carbonation are ideal for this style of drink.
How To Make a Corona Sunrise
- Chill the beer in the refrigerator until cold, then open the bottle and carefully pour out (or drink) about half.
- Pour in the measured orange juice, grenadine, and tequila directly into the bottle. For easier mixing or serving multiple drinks, combine the juice, tequila, and grenadine in a pitcher and then pour into each bottle.
- Garnish with a lime wedge if desired, and serve immediately. Avoid stirring to preserve the layered ombré effect.
Tips
- Pour carefully: The halfway mark is roughly at the top of the bottle label—pour slowly to avoid foaming over.
- Customize sweetness: Add more or less grenadine to suit your taste. Less grenadine yields a subtler color and sweetness; more gives a richer red hue and sweeter finish.
- Keep everything cold: Make the drink with ice-cold beer and chilled juice to preserve carbonation and keep it refreshing.
- Layer intentionally: Add the grenadine last for the best ombré sunrise effect; do not shake or vigorously stir after adding it.
❓FAQs❓
Yes. Multiply the ingredients by the number of guests and assemble in a pitcher or punch bowl. For example, to serve about ten people: 10 bottles of beer, 2 cups orange juice, ½–¾ cup grenadine (adjust to taste), and 2 cups tequila. Chill before serving and add grenadine last for individual bottles or ladle carefully to preserve layering.
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📖 Recipe
Viral Corona Sunrise
Ingredients
- 1 Bottle Corona Beer
- 1 ½ Ounces Orange Juice
- ½ Ounce Grenadine
- 1 ½ Ounces Tequila (I used Jose Cuervo)
- Fresh Lime Wedge For garnish
Instructions
- Pour out half of the beer into a glass.
- Pour in the orange juice, grenadine, and tequila.
- Garnish with a lime wedge if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips
- Corona Beer: Any pale Mexican lager such as Modelo or Pacifico will work well.
- Tequila: Jose Cuervo Especial is a good, budget-friendly option; choose Patron or Casamigos for a smoother agave profile.
- Orange Juice: No-pulp juice creates a cleaner texture; fresh juice is a great option when available.
- Grenadine: Find it in the mixers aisle; it adds sweetness and the sunrise color.
Tips
- Pour out carefully: Aim for about half the bottle to leave room for the mixers.
- Adjust to taste: Vary the grenadine amount for your preferred sweetness and color. Add it last for the layered effect.
- Keep it cold: Use chilled beer and cold juice for the best flavor and fizz.
- Avoid stirring vigorously after adding the grenadine to preserve carbonation and layering.
Nutrition
| Carbohydrates: 26 g
| Protein: 2 g
| Fat: 0.1 g
