This week’s drink comes staring slowly across the sky. That’s right, its the Tequila Sunrise made famous by The Eagles and Mel Gibson….although the latter may be a bit of a stretch. This cocktail made its first appearance at the Arizona Biltmore sometime in the late 1930’s when, according to legend, bartender Gene Sulit created the drink when one of the wealthy regulars to the hotel asked Gene to surprise him with a drink to enjoy poolside.

The drink gained even more notoriety when Don Henley and Glen Frey of The Eagles wrote the song “Tequila Sunrise” which became their first single from their second album “Desperado” in 1973. Some experts say that it was this song that made the Tequila Sunrise one of the most popular drinks in the country, second only to the Margarita. (side note: wouldn’t you love to be one of those “experts”?)

There’s actually two accepted ways to make this drink. The most common requires:

• 2 Parts Gold Tequila
• 4 Parts Orange Juice (fresh squeezed is preferred)
• 1/2 part Grenadine.

Fill a highball glass halfway with ice. Pour in the Tequila and the orange juice. Now quickly add the grenadine. This is the trick, if you add it too slowly the grenadine will mix with the orange juice and you won’t get the effect. Many bartenders will pour the grenadine across the back of a spoon held inside the glass which, they say, will make it sink faster. Garnish with a slice of orange and a cherry and enjoy.

If you want to stay true to the Arizona Biltmore version, you’re going to need some different ingredients:

• 1 and 1/4 part Tequila
• 3/4 part Creme de Cassis
• Squeeze of Lime
• Club Soda
• Crushed Ice

Fill a highball glass with the ice. Next add the Tequila, Creme de Cassis and Lime (don’t stir it though). Now top off the glass with the Club Soda and garnish with a slice of Lime.

There you have it. Sit back, relax and enjoy. Don’t forget to thank our Feelgood Girls Sofia and Holly for helping us out with this week’s drink!