Kentucky Sunrise recipe
In another adaptation of a classic cocktail, the Kentucky Sunrise adapts the Tequila Sunrise into something quite unique.
By Kris Barton · Updated - 2 mins total
- 3 ingredients
- Highball glass
- 166 kcal
Okay, it’s a much darker sunrise but the flavour is worth tasking the risk on this one.
This Kentucky Sunrise recipe is a great flex on the classic Tequila Sunrise recipe.
o make a Kentucky Sunrise you mix Bourbon, Orange Juice, and Grenadine and then enjoy the ride!
And enjoy the ride you will!
When I first tried this recipe I thought: there’s no way bourbon is going to mix well with orange juice. And boy, was I ever wrong! On paper, it shouldn’t work, but it just does.
So Why is it called a Kentucky Sunrise?
That’s a great question.
The answer isn’t as exciting as you might think: Bourbon is just closely associated with the South in the US, Kentucky inparticularly.
Since the base of the cocktail is Bourbon and the Grenadine and Orange Juice still handle the sunrise bit of the drink, Kentucky caught on.
So, let’s track that logic:
- Bourbon = Kentucky
- Grenadine + Orange Juice = sunrise
- Therefore, Bourbon + Grenadine + Orange Juice = Kentucky Sunrise
Seems sensible to me!
What Ingredients do you need to make a Kentucky Sunrise?
Before we get into the Kentucky Sunrise recipe, let’s take a look at the ingredients we’ll need to make the drink.
Bourbon
Bourbon is a type of Whiskey. It was created in America and is a barrel-aged distilled liquor that’s made primarily from corn.
The name Bourbon originates from the French Bourbon Dynasty, but how this type of American whiskey got that name is up for debate.
Major contenders include:
- Bourbon Street in New Orleans
- Bourbon County in Kentucky
…with the latter the reason why Bourbon is so closely connected to Kentucky.
Interestingly, by law, Bourbon sold in the US must be produced in the US, be made from at least 51% corn, and stored in a container of charred oak.
For Bourbon, we recommend:
Orange Juice
Orange Juice is an essential ingredient for most bars and fridges all around the world. Why? As this delicious list of cocktails with Orange Juice will show you, it mixes well with virtually any form of alcohol.
Cocktails with Orange Juice and Vodka? Absolutely.
Cocktails with Orange Juice and Tequila? Naturally.
Cocktails with Orange Juice and Rum? Sure, why not?
And the list doesn’t end there.
For Orange Juice, we recommend:
Grenadine
Grenadine is a non-alcoholic bar syrup that’s traditionally use to give a cocktail a red or pink tint and is made from pomegranate.
Maraschino Cherries
Maraschino Cherries are preserved, sweetened cherries that regularly used as a garnish in a variety of different cocktails.
In short, they can make a cocktail pop.
For Maraschino Cherries, we recommend:
How do You Garnish a Kentucky Sunrise?
I’ve found the best way to garnish a Kentucky Sunrise is to use a Maraschino Cherry and a slice of orange.
The slice of orange will enhance the orange juice flavours within the drink, whilst the cherry will help Grenadine enhance the exotic look.
What Cocktail Equipment do you need to make a Kentucky Sunrise?
Now, let’s take a look at the equipment you need for our Kentucky Sunrise recipe…
Mixing Glass
If you have a cocktail recipe that calls for the mix to be stirred, rather than shaken, then a Mixing Glass is the way to go.
Why? Because it’s easier to stir and pour the mix, by design. Also, it’s cooler.
For a Mixing Glass, we recommend:
Bar Spoons
Bar Spoons are great for cocktails you’re suppose to stir, rather than shake in a cocktail shaker.
Sure, you can probably use any spoon to stir your drink but these bar spoons are the real deal. It’s the proper equipment to get the job right.
- They’re long enough to get to the bottom of any cocktail to allow you to properly stir.
- They have a twist spiral design that allows for a better grip.
- They’re made out of stainless steel, so they’re durable, corrosion resistant, and easy to clean.
Highball Glasses
Highball Glasses are the most common glasses in the cocktail world. You can put most cocktails in there from The Long Island Iced Tea to a Bay Breeze.
Further Reading
Mixing Tips
Before we dive into the recipe, here are some quick mixing tips that will improve your mix.
- Pour the grenadine in gently and leave it be. It is heavier than the rest of the drink, so it sinks to the bottom on its own – that is the sunrise.
- Do not stir once the grenadine is in, or the sunrise goes with it.
- Freshly squeezed orange juice makes the biggest difference to the taste.
- Grenadine is a sweet syrup, so measure it rather than guessing.
Now let’s dive into the recipe.
How to make a Kentucky Sunrise
Advertisement
Recipe card
Kentucky Sunrise
- Prep
- 1 min
- Making
- 1 min
- Total
- 2 mins
- Serves
- 1
- Glass
- Highball glass
- Calories
- 166 kcal
Ingredients
Makes 1 drink.
Method
- Add ice to a mixing glass.
- Use a jigger to get the right amounts of bourbon and orange juice and then add that to the mixing glass.
- Stir with a bar spoon until ice cold.
- Strain into a highball glass.
- Use a jigger to measure the right amount of grenadine and add that on top.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry and a slice of orange.
Want more like this? Browse our full collection of modern cocktails.
Kentucky Sunrise FAQs
Why is it called a Kentucky Sunrise?
It’s a twist on the Tequila Sunrise with bourbon in place of tequila. Bourbon is closely associated with Kentucky, and the orange juice and grenadine still make the sunrise. So bourbon + orange juice + grenadine = Kentucky Sunrise.
What is bourbon?
An American whiskey, barrel-aged and made mainly from corn. The name comes from the French Bourbon dynasty, probably by way of Bourbon County in Kentucky (or possibly Bourbon Street in New Orleans). By law, bourbon sold in the US must be made in the US, from at least 51% corn, and aged in charred oak.
How do you get the sunrise effect in a Kentucky Sunrise?
Pour the grenadine in gently and leave it be. It’s heavier than the rest of the drink, so it sinks to the bottom on its own, and that’s the sunrise. Don’t stir once the grenadine is in, or the sunrise goes with it.
How do you garnish a Kentucky Sunrise?
With a maraschino cherry and a slice of orange. The orange brings out the orange juice in the drink, and the cherry adds to the colour the grenadine gives it.
Any tips for making a Kentucky Sunrise?
Use freshly squeezed orange juice: it makes the biggest difference to the taste. And measure the grenadine rather than guessing, because it’s a sweet syrup.
What Ingredients do you need to make a Kentucky Sunrise?
To make a Kentucky Sunrise, you need 45ml / 1.5oz bourbon, 100ml / 3.5oz orange juice and 15ml / 0.5oz grenadine. There’s more about the ingredients above.
What Equipment do you need to make a Kentucky Sunrise?
You’ll need a mixing glass, a jigger, a bar spoon and a highball glass. There’s more about the equipment above.
What alcohol is in a Kentucky Sunrise?
The only alcohol in a Kentucky Sunrise is bourbon: 45ml / 1.5oz.
Is a Kentucky Sunrise shaken or stirred?
A Kentucky Sunrise is stirred, not shaken. Stir it with ice in a mixing glass, then strain it into a highball glass.
What glass is a Kentucky Sunrise served in?
Serve a Kentucky Sunrise in a highball glass.
How do I make a Kentucky Sunrise for a group?
The recipe makes one drink. Multiply every measure by the number of drinks you want: for 4, you’d need 180ml bourbon, 400ml orange juice and 60ml grenadine.
