When it comes to mid-morning cocktails, most people think of bloody Marys and mimosas. However, one of our favorite libations for Sunday brunch is the Tequila sunrise. However, if you don't want to experience the adverse side effects of day drinking, you can opt for non alcoholic brunch drinks, thanks to Seir Hill and Durangold Tequila.

A classic Tequila sunrise recipe involves either gold or reposado varieties, but Durangold offers the same flavors with none of the regret. So, if you want to dish with your brunch besties and not fall asleep right after you're done eating, learn how to make the best mocktail with this Tequila alternative.

A Brief History of the Tequila Sunrise

Technically, this cocktail was born in Arizona in the 1930s. However, the original beverage was a lot different than the one we know and love today. A bartender named Gene Sulit at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel mixed Tequila, soda water, lime juice, and liqueur for his recipe. While this drink was delicious, it was missing the panache and flair that would eventually cement its status as an iconic cocktail.

By the 1970s, the Tequila sunrise had made its way west to California, where bartenders at the Trident in Sausalito decided to put their own spin on it. Bobby Lozoff and Billy Rice made theirs with just orange juice and grenadine to create a sunrise in a cocktail glass, making it much more visually appealing and tastier.

It just so happened that the Rolling Stones hosted a party at the Trident in 1972. After Mick Jagger tried the cocktail, he insisted everyone else did, and the band almost single-handedly propelled the drink to superstar status. However, another band - The Eagles - also made the cocktail famous by writing a song with the same name in 1973.

Tequila Sunrise is also the name of a crime thriller from 1988 starring Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Kurt Russell. By this time, the cocktail was already a mainstay at bars across the country, so the name was part of the cultural zeitgeist.

How the Tequila Sunrise and Brunch Go Together

It's easy to see why this cocktail works so well as one of the best non alcoholic brunch drinks. Since you're drinking orange juice and grenadine, it already feels like you're having breakfast in a glass. Plus, if you're tired of mimosas and bloody Marys, a Tequila sunrise offers a more unique and flavorful brunch experience.

Another great thing about this cocktail is that you can use a wide array of juices and garnishes to spice it up and make it your own. So, as more restaurants explore brunch menus, they can put their own spin on the drink and turn it into a centerpiece of their bar offerings.

The only downside is that regular tequila has a much higher alcohol content than champagne, so guests can't knock back bottomless Tequila Sunrises with no ill effects. Fortunately, Durangold from Seir Hill can deliver the same flavor without the cumulative drunkenness that comes from regular alcohol.

Putting together a Non-alcoholic Tequila Sunrise

Ingredients

• 1 ½ ounces Durangold™
• ¾ cup orange juice
• ¾ ounce grenadine syrup
• Orange slice (for garnish)
• A quality maraschino cherry (for garnish)

How to Make a Durangold Tequila Sunrise

Non-alcoholic tequila sunrise is an easy mocktail that you can put together in a few quick steps. You start with a highball glass filled with ice and pour in the Durangold and orange juice. 

Next, you slowly add the grenadine by pouring it over the back of a spoon, which will allow it to settle at the bottom of the glass. Once you’ve done that, you’re free to garnish your drink with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry. And just like that, you’ve made an alcohol-free tequila sunrise that looks as good as it tastes!

Alternative Ways to Make an Alcohol-Free Tequila Sunrise

While there's nothing wrong with traditional Tequila Sunrise ingredients, part of the appeal is the simplicity of the beverage. Plus, with such a crisp and delicious non alcoholic Tequila, it's hard not to let your creative juices flow. Here are a few of our favorite ways to mix up this mocktail.

• Use Other Types of Juice - While orange juice is synonymous with breakfast and brunch, it's not the only option available. Whether you're dining and chatting in the late morning or looking for something tasty and exotic for dinner, you can use different juices like pineapple juice, blood orange juice, passion fruit, and more.
• Make a Tequila Sunrise Mimosa - You don't have to give up your favorite brunch cocktail to make room for an alcohol free Tequila Sunrise. In this case, you can mix Durangold with a little champagne, then add OJ and a splash of grenadine on top to create a sunrise effect. It's the best of both worlds, and you can significantly reduce your alcohol intake.
• Don't Skimp on Garnishes - Traditionally, a Tequila Sunrise comes with a cherry and an orange slice. However, you can make your mocktail as complex and classy as possible with many different garnishes. You can use pineapple chunks, orange wedges, limes, and anything else you can think of to make the mocktail more engaging and easier to drink.

Durangold™ is not only non-alcoholic, it’s also calorie-free, gluten-free, allergen-free, and completely vegan. And yet, despite all that, it has the authentic tequila taste you want: rich and complex and effortlessly smooth. It’s made for mixing, meaning it will fit in perfectly with not only your tequila sunrise mocktail but any number of tequila-based drinks. 

For a drink as easy as the tequila sunrise, you should be able to enjoy it whenever you want. So bring out your bottle of Durangold™ and give a kick to your morning, noon or night. Your orange juice won’t know what hit it.