Piper Cooks

menu icon
go to homepage
  • RECIPES
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • EBOOKS

subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • RECIPES
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • EBOOKS

×
Home » Recipes » Drinks

Vodka Sunrise Cocktail

Modified: Aug 4, 2022 · Published Aug 5, 2022 · by Jacqueline Piper · Leave a Comment · This post may contain affiliate links. Read our privacy policy.

121 shares
jump to recipe
A red and orange cocktail in a glass, garnished with an orange slice.
A red and orange cocktail in a glass, garnished with an orange slice.
A red and orange cocktail in a glass, garnished with an orange slice.

Vodka Sunrise | This vodka sunrise drink is a tiny twist on the classic Tequila Sunrise cocktail, using vodka instead of tequila, plus the typical orange juice and grenadine syrup. My Vodka Sunrise recipe takes only minutes to prepare and the easy pouring technique will leave you with a beautiful sunrise effect to this classic summer cocktail.

A red and orange cocktail in a glass, garnished with an orange slice.

If you like the classic tequila sunrise cocktail but prefer vodka over tequila, you'll love this Vodka Sunrise cocktail recipe. With 3 ingredients and 5 minutes plus a cool technique for getting the beautiful sunrise effect, this is one of the most perfect summer drinks.

All you need for this drink is your favorite vodka - I use Tito's Vodka in my vodka cocktails like my Strawberry Lemonade Vodka Cocktail - it's just my favorite.

You'll need an orange juice you like. If your orange juice isn't sweet enough for you, you can also add in a splash of simple syrup to sweeten your drink a touch. Use my simple syrup recipe - this is truly a simple recipe.

The last ingredient you'll need for this drink is the grenadine syrup - it's kinda sweet, kinda tart, and kinda fruity. It's basically pomegranate juice cooked with sugar until it reduces down to a thick, bright red syrup.

The grenadine gives this drink the sunrise look with colors varying from bright red to pinky peach to orange to pale yellow - it's really pretty, as you can see from the photos.

Use the table of contents below to jump to any section of this blog post. You can also use the jump to recipe link above to get right to the recipe card.

Jump to:
  • What is a Vodka Sunrise?
  • What is grenadine?
  • How do you get the layers in a vodka sunrise?
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Substitutions
  • Equipment
  • Storage
  • More vodka cocktails
  • Tips + FAQs
  • Recipe

What is a Vodka Sunrise?

A vodka sunrise is a cocktail made with vodka, orange juice, and grenadine syrup. Pouring the grenadine in slowly and last gives the drink an ombre shade, like the colors of a sunrise.

What is grenadine?

Grenadine is a syrup typically made from pomegranate juice that is reduced with sugar to yield a thick, bright red syrup commonly used in cocktails to give a red or pink tint. Grenadine syrup is used in such cocktail recipes as the Tequila Sunrise or Vodka Sunrise as well as replicas of the Singapore Sling.

How do you get the layers in a vodka sunrise?

The trick to getting the layers in a vodka sunrise is the pour the grenadine last and slowly directly into the center. See my step-by-step photos and the video in this post to see it in action.

Because grenadine is thicker and heavier than orange juice and vodka, it slips right through to the bottom and sort of hangs out in a little red fog.

Use a straw to stir lightly to get the look below with the ombre shading. To get a pinky peachy-colored drink stir the drink for about 10 seconds.

A red and orange cocktail in a glass, garnished with an orange slice.

Ingredients

About the ingredients for this recipe. See the recipe card below for exact amounts.

  • Vodka: Vodka is a great alcohol choice for cocktails because it doesn't have much of a distinct flavor on its own and can be very smooth if you buy a nice one. I prefer Tito's vodka in my vodka cocktails. It's made from corn and known for its super smooth flavor. Tito's vodka is a vodka I can drink simply over ice. Use your favorite vodka! I've also been testing 204 Vodka lately - it's a local Manitoba vodka made from grains and distilled 5 times.
  • orange juice: Just use your favorite, use fresh, use whatever you have. If you find your orange juice isn't sweet enough for you, add a teaspoon or two of simple syrup to the drink.
  • grenadine: You can find grenadine syrup in larger grocery stores and most well-stocked liquor stores.

Instructions

Prep Tips

  • Cut orange slices to garnish the drink (optional)
Pouring a shot of vodka into a cocktail glass.

To a short cocktail glass, add ice and then the vodka.

Pouring orange juice into a cocktail glass.

Pour in the orange juice.

Pouring grenadine syrup into a cocktail glass.

For the last step, pour the grenadine right into the center of the glass and pour it slowly so it gathers at the bottom.

Pouring grenadine syrup into a cocktail glass.

Use a straw to gently stir it up for a few seconds, just to slightly mix the colors together.

A bottle of grenadine syrup.

This is what the grenadine I buy looks like.

Adding a slice of orange to the top of a cocktail glass.

Add an orange slice to the rim of the glass for a pretty garnish.

HOW TO CUT AN ORANGE SLICE FOR GARNISH: First wash the orange to clean the peel. Cut the orange into slices with a sharp knife. Cut from the center out to one edge. Place the orange slice on the rim of the glass. Rest the cut part of the orange on the glass to get a pretty garnish.

A red and orange cocktail in a glass, garnished with an orange slice.

Substitutions

✔ To turn this vodka cocktail into a mocktail, leave the vodka out.

Equipment

I link a few of my favorite glass styles below. For these photos, I used whiskey glasses or rocks glasses. I also have a set of Mexican blue-rimmed glasses that I love for cocktails.

Storage

Because of the technique used to achieve the sunrise look, I'd recommend making these vodka cocktails as needed instead of ahead of time.

A red and orange cocktail in a glass, garnished with an orange slice.

More vodka cocktails

  • Strawberry Lemonade Vodka Cocktail
  • Thai Inspired Vodka Cocktail
  • Frozen Mango Margarita

Tips + FAQs

What is grenadine made of?

Grenadine is made of pomegranate juice and sugar cooked to reduce down to a thick, bright red syrup, commonly used to color cocktails.

How do you make the layers in a Vodka Sunrise Cocktail?

To make the layers in a vodka sunrise cocktail, add the vodka and orange juice to a glass and then add the grenadine last, pouring slowly directly into the center of the drink.

Recipe

A red and orange cocktail in a glass, garnished with an orange slice.
5 from 6 votes

Vodka Sunrise Cocktail

Author : Jacqueline Piper
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 1
This vodka sunrise drink is a twist on the classic Tequila Sunrise cocktail, using vodka instead of tequila, plus the typical orange juice and grenadine syrup. 
RATE PRINT PIN SAVE Saved!

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ oz vodka
  • 4 oz orange juice ½ cup
  • ½ oz simple syrup optional*
  • ½ oz grenadine syrup
  • ice
  • orange slice to garnish, optional
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

  • Add ice to a short cocktail glass.
  • Add the vodka and then the orange juice. Stir.
  • Pour the grenadine slowly into the center of the glass. It'll slip down to the bottom.
  • Use a straw to gently stir the grenadine, for only a few seconds to get a gentle ombre sunrise effect. You can stir more if you want a fully peach or pinky looking drink.
  • Garnish with an orange slice, optional. Serve.

Equipment

  • Short Cocktails Glasses
  • Shot Glass

Video

Notes

Don't want alcohol? Make this a mocktail by leaving the vodka out.

Nutrition

Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 1g | Sugar: 29g

Nutritional information is an estimate. Values vary based on products used. Read our full Nutrition Disclaimer.

Have you tried this recipe?Tag @pipercooksblog on Instagram so we can see it!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.

A red and orange cocktail in a glass, garnished with an orange slice.

SHARE THIS RECIPE

  • Share on Twitter Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook Share on Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest Share on Pinterest

Rating, commenting, and sharing my recipes really helps. Thanks for taking the time! Mention @pipercooksblog on Instagram.

Save this image to your example board on Pinterest.

A red and orange cocktail in a glass, garnished with an orange slice.

More Drinks

  • A 4 photo collage of cocktails.
    Margarita Variations
  • A glass with a bubbly drink garnished with lime slices and mint leaves.
    Classic Mojito Recipe
  • A 4 photo collage of cocktails.
    4 Moscow Mule Variations
  • A reddish cocktail garnished with blackberries on a pick, fresh herbs and a lime wedge.
    Blackberry Bourbon Smash
121 shares
5 from 6 votes (6 ratings without comment)

Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Profile photo of a brunette woman wearing glasses with a text logo 'pipercooks' where the second o is a cast iron pan.

Hi, I'm Jacqueline!

Welcome to Piper Cooks, where I've been sharing my homemade recipes for 10 years! I share simple, delicious recipes made from scratch, perfect for busy families and food lovers alike. Let's turn everyday meals into something fun and delicious!

more about me

Reader Favorites

Popular Recipes

  • Cinnamon Bun Overnight Oats - PiperCooks
    Cinnamon Bun Overnight Oats
  • Light-colored coffee in a glass with a straw and ice cubes.
    How to Make Iced Coffee with Instant Coffee
  • two pink cocktails in blue rimmed glasses
    Strawberry Lemonade Vodka Cocktail
  • ground turkey skillet dinner in a bowl
    Quinoa Ground Turkey Skillet - One Pan Dinner
  • Quick Light Brioche Style Buns. All the rewards of freshly baked homemade bread, but you don't have to spend all day in the kitchen. Get the Recipe @pipercooks PiperCooks.com
    Quick & Light Brioche Buns
  • Creamy Dill Chicken on a plate with potatoes & carrots
    Creamy Dill Chicken

Favorite Grilling Recipes

  • Soft tacos with white corn tortillas, chicken, mango, black beans, and cilantro.
    Blackstone Chicken Tacos
  • Salad in a bowl topped with sauce, avocado, greens, and green onion flowers.
    Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
  • A halved stuffed tortilla on a plate.
    Blackstone Crunchwrap Supreme with Chicken
  • A burger topped with fried onions, sauce, cheese, and lettuce beside tortilla chips.
    Blackstone Smash Burgers

All photography and recipes on this site are Copyright © 2025 Jacqueline Piper + © Pipercooks except where stated and may not be used without permission.

Footer

as seen in:

A butterfly beside the letters msn.
the word noom.
the Word foodgawker.
The word Parade.
The words Reader's digest.
the word yahoo!
the word yummly.
Logo for Half Your Plate with a plate in the background and the text fruits & veggies! Half Your Plate halfyourplate.ca

↑ back to top | Home  | About | Contact | Privacy Policy | Sign Up! for email updates | Copyright © 2025 Piper Cooks

featured in: Parade.com, Yahoo!, and MSN

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.