Tito’s Sunrise: The Ultimate 3-Ingredient Summer Cocktail

There is something undeniably magical about a cocktail that looks as good as it tastes. Enter the Tito’s Sunrise, a vibrant, refreshing, and visually stunning drink that captures the essence of a summer morning in a glass. If you have been searching for the perfect poolside sipper, a backyard BBQ companion, or just a simple way to elevate your Friday night happy hour, look no further. This drink combines the smoothness of Tito’s Handmade Vodka with the tropical sweetness of pineapple juice and the tart bite of cranberry juice to create a flavor profile that is balanced, dangerous, and utterly delicious.

The beauty of the Tito’s Sunrise lies in its simplicity. You don’t need a degree in mixology, a cabinet full of obscure liqueurs, or fancy bar tools to whip this up. With just three main liquid ingredients and a scoop of ice, you can create a drink that rivals anything you’d pay $15 for at a beach bar. The “sunrise” effect—created by the natural density differences between the juices—makes you look like a pro bartender with zero effort.

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through exactly how to make the perfect Tito’s Sunrise, how to achieve that Instagram-worthy gradient, and why this specific combination of ingredients works so well together. We will also explore variations, serving tips, and everything else you need to know to master this drink.

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Why You Will Love This Recipe

Before we dive into the nuts and bolts of mixing, let’s talk about why this drink deserves a permanent spot in your recipe rotation.

• Visual Appeal: The Ombré effect of yellow transitioning into pink and red is stunning. It’s a party trick in a glass.
• Minimal Ingredients: You literally only need three things: Vodka, Pineapple Juice, and Cranberry Juice.
• Customizable: It is incredibly easy to tweak the ratios to make it sweeter, stronger, or tarter depending on your preference.
• Crowd Pleaser: It’s sweet enough for people who don’t love the taste of alcohol, but strong enough to get the job done.

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Ingredients

The quality of your ingredients matters, even in a simple mixed drink. Here is exactly what you need to build the perfect Tito’s Sunrise.

• Tito’s Handmade Vodka (2 oz): The star of the show. Tito’s is corn-based, gluten-free, and distilled six times, making it incredibly smooth. Its clean profile allows the fruit juices to shine without an overpowering “rubbing alcohol” burn.
• Pineapple Juice (2 1/2 oz): This provides the body, sweetness, and the “sun” part of the sunrise. Fresh pressed is amazing if you have it, but high-quality canned pineapple juice (like Dole) often provides a consistent acidity and sweetness that works perfectly here. Note: The original recipe image mentions you can substitute Orange Juice if you prefer a classic Tequila Sunrise vibe, but Pineapple offers a frothier, more tropical finish.
• Cranberry Juice (2 oz): This is the “sunset” or “sunrise” color. You want a cranberry juice cocktail here rather than 100% unsweetened cranberry juice, which can be too bitter. The red hue of the cranberry sinks through the yellow pineapple to create the gradient.
• Ice: Do not underestimate the ice! Plenty of fresh, hard ice keeps the drink cold and helps with the layering.
• Garnish (Optional but recommended): A slice of fresh orange, a wheel of lime, or even a maraschino cherry adds that professional finishing touch.

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Instructions

Making a Tito’s Sunrise is less about “cooking” and more about assembly. However, the order in which you pour the ingredients is crucial to getting that beautiful separation of colors.

1. Prepare Your Glass: Start with a clean highball glass, rocks glass, or a fancy stemless wine glass. Fill it all the way to the top with ice. The more ice you use, the colder the drink stays and the less it dilutes over time.
2. Pour the Vodka: Measure out 2 oz of Tito’s Vodka and pour it directly over the ice.
3. Add the Base Juice: Pour in 2 1/2 oz of Pineapple Juice (or Orange Juice, if substituting). At this point, the drink will be a pale yellow. Give it a tiny stir just to mix the vodka and pineapple slightly, but don’t over-agitate.
4. The Sunrise Effect: This is the important part. Slowly pour 2 oz of Cranberry Juice into the glass. Pro Tip: Pour it slowly down the side of the inside of the glass or over the back of a spoon. Because cranberry juice is slightly denser (and usually has a different sugar content) than the pineapple/vodka mix, it will naturally sink towards the bottom, creating a red layer that fades into the yellow at the top.
5. Garnish and Serve: Cut a fresh slice of orange or a wedge of pineapple. Slit the fruit halfway through and slide it onto the rim of the glass. Add a straw.
6. Enjoy: Serve immediately while the layers are distinct. Instruct your guest (or yourself!) to give it a gentle swirl with the straw before drinking to mix the flavors, or sip from the bottom up to taste the tart cranberry first.

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The Science of the Layering

You might be wondering, “Why does it look like that?” The visual appeal of the Tito’s Sunrise is based on specific gravity. Liquids with high sugar content are denser and heavier. In many cocktails, grenadine is used for the red layer because it is a heavy syrup that sinks like a stone.

In this recipe, cranberry juice acts as the heavy layer. While it isn’t as heavy as syrup, it is distinct enough from the foamy, lighter texture of pineapple juice to create a separation. If you dump it in aggressively, it will just turn the whole drink pink immediately. Pouring gently preserves the physics of the drink!

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Tips for the Perfect Cocktail

1. Chill Your Ingredients

Since this is a “build-in-glass” drink and not shaken, you rely entirely on the ice in the glass to cool it down. Keeping your vodka in the freezer and your juices in the coldest part of the fridge ensures your drink is refreshing from the very first sip.

2. The “Squeeze” Factor

If you use orange juice instead of pineapple, consider squeezing half a fresh lime into the mix. The acidity cuts through the sugar and makes the drink taste more “craft” and less “sugary punch.”

3. Glassware Choice

While the image shows a standard rocks glass, a tall Highball or Collins glass actually shows off the gradient better because there is more vertical space for the colors to transition.

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Variations to Try

Once you have mastered the classic Tito’s Sunrise, try these fun twists to keep things exciting:

The “Malibu” Sunrise

Swap out 1 oz of the Tito’s Vodka for 1 oz of Coconut Rum (like Malibu). The coconut flavor pairs insanely well with the pineapple juice, pushing the drink into full Piña Colada territory without the cream.

The Spicy Sunrise

Muddle a slice of jalapeño in the bottom of the glass before adding the ice. The heat of the pepper contrasts beautifully with the sweet pineapple. This is a trendy variation that feels very upscale.

The Frozen Sunrise

Instead of pouring over ice, toss the vodka, pineapple juice, and a cup of ice into a blender. Blend until slushy. Pour the yellow slush into a glass, then carefully pour the cranberry juice down the side. It will streak through the slush for a tie-dye effect.

The “Tito’s Sunset”

Use grapefruit juice instead of pineapple. The drink becomes sharper, more tart, and slightly less sweet—perfect for those who find pineapple juice a bit too cloying.

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Serving Suggestions & Pairings

This drink screams “daytime drinking.” It is perfect for brunch because it mimics the flavor profile of a Mimosa or Screwdriver but with a smoother finish.

Food Pairings:

• Spicy Food: The sweetness of the pineapple cools down the heat of tacos, spicy wings, or jalapeño poppers.
• Salty Snacks: Chips and guacamole, pretzels, or salted nuts provide a great savory contrast to the sweet drink.
• BBQ: The acidity in the cranberry cuts through the richness of pulled pork or ribs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this in a pitcher?
Yes! To make a pitcher for a party, mix the Vodka and Pineapple juice in the pitcher with ice. When you pour it into individual glasses, add a splash of cranberry juice to the top of each glass individually. If you put the cranberry in the pitcher, the whole thing will just turn pink and you lose the effect.

Does it have to be Tito’s?
Technically, no. You can use any vodka. However, Tito’s is specified here because of its ubiquity and reliable quality at a mid-range price point. It has a slightly sweet corn finish that complements fruit juice well. Other good options would be Ketel One or Grey Goose.

Why is my drink just pink?
If your drink is one uniform color, you likely poured the cranberry juice too fast. Next time, use a spoon to break the fall of the liquid, or tilt the glass and pour very slowly.

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Conclusion

The Tito’s Sunrise is proof that you don’t need to be a master mixologist to create something beautiful. It is a testament to the power of simple ingredients coming together to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Whether you are hosting a summer bash or just enjoying a quiet evening on the porch, this cocktail offers a burst of tropical flavor that is sure to satisfy.

So, grab your bottle of Tito’s, raid the fridge for juice, and watch the sun rise in your glass. Cheers!