Kentucky Sunrise recipe

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

• Tequila Cocktail Collection
• Wikipedia’s Bourbon Entry

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.