The Best Fluffy Pancakes recipe you will fall in love with. Full of tips and tricks to help you make the best pancakes.
This Tropical Sunrise Mocktail is a vibrant and irresistibly photogenic drink that captures the flavor—and science—of dawn in a glass, a refreshing escape, demonstrating the essence of a sunny morning in every sip. It masterfully combines the bright, zesty tang of orange juice with the lively effervescence of sparkling water. Beyond its taste, orange juice is a fantastic source of Vitamin C, which helps boost immunity and promote skin health.2Sushmita Sengupta. (August 2018). 6 Benefits Of Fresh Orange Juice, From Weight Loss To Healthy Skin. https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/from-weight-loss-to-healthy-skin-6-benefits-of-fresh-orange-juice-which-will-surprise-you-1902153.
The showstopper, however, is a slow drizzle of grenadine that cascades through the glass, creating a stunning visual gradient reminiscent of a dawn sky. This drink isn’t just beautiful; its sweet, fruity notes perfectly balance the citrus, making it a sophisticated non-alcoholic option for any occasion. Below you’ll find extra pro-tips, nutrition facts, and gear suggestions. Enjoy!
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The Tropical Sunrise Mocktail: How it Works?
The magic of this mocktail lies in the simple principle of density and flavor layering.3The Cocktail Bible (September 2023). The Science Behind Layered Cocktails: Tips and Tricks. https://cocktail-bible.com/blog/techniques/the-science-behind-layered-cocktails%3A-tips-and-tricks?. The “sunrise” effect is a direct result of physics.
Learn How it Works
Nutrition Snapshot (per 8-oz serving)
- Calories: ≈ 112 kcal
- Carbs: 26 g (21 g sugar)
- Vitamin C: 149 % DV
- Potassium: 11 % DV8USDA FoodData Central. (December 2021). Orange juice, no pulp, not fortified, from concentrate, refrigerated. USDA. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/2003591/nutrients.8
Want lower sugar? Swap half the orange juice for vitamin-C–fortified water and keep the grenadine drizzle tiny.
Equipment You May Need
Ingredients (Serves 2 in 5 Minutes)
Ingredients
According to mocktail expert Dominic Tougas, it’s critical not to “minimize the importance of fresh ingredients,” as they play a starring role in non-alcoholic drinks.9Ashley Couto. (September 2023). 13 Tips From Experts On How To Make Standout Mocktails. Mashed. https://www.mashed.com/1381458/tips-experts-how-make-standout-mocktails/.
Learn More
Keep Reading
Have a taste of the Lavender Banana Smoothie too. It’s a healthy, dairy-free, and vegan drink best for breakfast or dessert.
Step-by-Step Preparation of The Tropical Sunrise Mocktail
Instructions
- Prepare Your Glasses. Fill two tall JoyJolt Faye glasses halfway with ice cubes.
- Add the Orange Juice. Pour the chilled orange juice over the ice, filling each glass about halfway.
- Top with Sparkling Water. Slowly pour the sparkling water to fill. Stir once very gently.
- Create the Sunrise. Tilt the glass and slowly drizzle the grenadine down the inside edge.
- Garnish and serve. Garnish with a fresh orange slice and serve immediately to enjoy the effervescence at its peak.
Pro Tip: Pre-chilling your glasses and ingredients will keep the mocktail colder for longer and prevent dilution.12Darren Bagley (Michigan State University, 2014)
You should see the outside of the glass begin to frost slightly.
For perfect layers, pour it gently over the back of a spoon held just above the orange juice. This disperses the liquid gently, preventing it from mixing.2The Cocktail Bible, 2023
Do not stir. You are looking for a distinct separation of deep red at the bottom that slowly fades into orange.
Tips, Tweaks, and Variations
Chef-Level Tips & Tweaks
Serving, Pairing & Storage
Serve this mocktail in a tall, clear glass to show off its layers. It is an ideal beverage for brunch and pairs wonderfully with both sweet and savory dishes from our Perfect Weekend Brunch Menu.
This mocktail is best enjoyed immediately. If making a large batch, mix the orange juice ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Add the sparkling water and grenadine to individual glasses just before serving to maintain the fizz and layered effect.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Likely Cause | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Layer vanished | Poured grenadine too fast | Use a spoon & slow pour |
| Flat drink | Old soda or over-stirring | Fresh bottle; stir once |
| Too sweet | Grenadine heavy-handed | Add ½ tsp fresh lime juice |
Party-Size Batch
Mix OJ in a pitcher. At service time, pour into ice-filled glasses, top with soda, then add grenadine individually so every guest gets the show.
For a cocktail punch, check out our article on the Decadent Chocolate Pomegranate Kiss.
Enjoy your Sunrise Mocktail—science, style, and refreshment in every sip! And don’t forget to leave a comment about your experience.
Tropical Sunrise Mocktail Recipe Card
The Tropical Sunrise Mocktail
The Tropical Sunrise Mocktail isn’t just beautiful; its sweet, fruity notes perfectly balance the citrus, making it a sophisticated non-alcoholic option for any occasion.
Equipment
- A handheld citrus juicer wrings out every last drop of flavor—consider the sturdy Zulay Kitchen Metal 2-in-1 Lemon Squeeze model.
- A long bar spoon like the Briout Bar Spoon Cocktail Mixing Stirrers. lets you pour grenadine gently and layer like a pro.
- Tall, crystal-clear glasses like the JoyJolt Faye 13oz Highball Glasses easily show off that gradient.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chilled 100 % fresh orange juice
- 1 cup chilled sparkling water or club soda
- 2 Tbsp grenadine syrup
- Ice cubes
- 2 fresh orange slices garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Your Glasses. Fill two tall JoyJolt Faye glasses halfway with ice cubes.Pro Tip: Pre-chilling your glasses and ingredients will keep the mocktail colder for longer and prevent dilution.
- Add the Orange Juice. Pour the chilled orange juice over the ice, filling each glass about halfway.You should see the outside of the glass begin to frost slightly.
- Top with Sparkling Water. Slowly pour the sparkling water to fill. Stir once very gently.For perfect layers, pour it gently over the back of a spoon held just above the orange juice. This disperses the liquid gently, preventing it from mixing.
- Create the Sunrise. Tilt the glass and slowly drizzle the grenadine down the inside edge.Do not stir. You are looking for a distinct separation of deep red at the bottom that slowly fades into orange.
- Garnish and serve. Garnish with a fresh orange slice and serve immediately to enjoy the effervescence at its peak.
List of Sources
- 1
- 2The Cocktail Bible, 2023
- 3The Cocktail Bible (September 2023). The Science Behind Layered Cocktails: Tips and Tricks. https://cocktail-bible.com/blog/techniques/the-science-behind-layered-cocktails%3A-tips-and-tricks?.
- 4Colleen Graham (December, 2021). Specific Gravity Chart for Layering Cocktails and Shots. The Spruce Eats. https://www.thespruceeats.com/layering-drinks-and-shots-gravity-chart-760326.
- 5Derek Lane. (June 2023). Carbonation: How it Affects the Flavor of Soft Drinks. Rosy Cheeked. https://www.rosycheeked.com/nutrition/carbonation-how-it-affects-the-flavor-of-soft-drinks/.
- 6Yeo, H. et al. (December, 2022).Effect of sweeteners and carbonation on aroma partitioning and release in beverage systems. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366625890_Effect_of_sweeteners_and_carbonation_on_aroma_partitioning_and_release_in_beverage_systems.
- 7Gabriella Hernandez. (January 2025). For Perfectly Layered Cocktails, Think About Density. Foodie. https://www.foodie.com/1769003/perfectly-layered-cocktails-density/.
- 8USDA FoodData Central. (December 2021). Orange juice, no pulp, not fortified, from concentrate, refrigerated. USDA. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/2003591/nutrients.8
Want lower sugar? Swap half the orange juice for vitamin-C–fortified water and keep the grenadine drizzle tiny.
(Affiliate links—no extra cost to you, yet they help keep our test kitchen running.)Equipment You May Need
Ingredients (Serves 2 in 5 Minutes)
Ingredients
According to mocktail expert Dominic Tougas, it’s critical not to “minimize the importance of fresh ingredients,” as they play a starring role in non-alcoholic drinks.9Ashley Couto. (September 2023). 13 Tips From Experts On How To Make Standout Mocktails. Mashed. https://www.mashed.com/1381458/tips-experts-how-make-standout-mocktails/.
- 9Ashley Couto. (September 2023). 13 Tips From Experts On How To Make Standout Mocktails. Mashed. https://www.mashed.com/1381458/tips-experts-how-make-standout-mocktails/.
- 10Heta Joshi. (March 2024). All About Grenadine Syrup: The Pomegranate-Based Cocktail Mixer. Slurrp. https://www.slurrp.com/article/all-about-grenadine-syrup-the-pomegranate-based-cocktail-mixer-1709536694821.
- 11Melissa Kay. (January 2025). The Best Ingredients You Need For Top-Shelf Mocktails. The Daily Meal. https://www.thedailymeal.com/1749742/what-to-use-in-a-mocktail.
- 12Darren Bagley (Michigan State University, 2014)
- 13
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