Emerald Sunrise Recipe

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Refreshing, vibrant, and visually stunning, this Emerald Sunrise Recipe is a two-in-one drink that works beautifully as both a cocktail and a mocktail. With its layered citrus notes, a touch of tart apple, and its dazzling color palette, it’s perfect for brunches, pool parties, or elegant evening sips. The cocktail version brings together green apple liqueur, blue curaçao, and vodka with citrusy mixers, while the mocktail version swaps spirits for soda and syrup—both finished with your choice of fresh, festive garnishes. Whether you’re celebrating with a buzz or going booze-free, this drink delivers tropical flavor and show-stopping presentation every time.

Ingredients

Cocktail Version

  • 1 oz green apple liqueur

  • 1 oz vodka

  • 1 oz blue curaçao

  • 2 oz orange juice

  • 2 oz sweet & sour mix

  • Ice 🧊

  • Garnish: mint, orange slice, cherry, or lime wedge

Mocktail Version

  • 3 oz orange juice

  • 1 oz lemon-lime soda

  • 1 oz sweet & sour mix

  • 1 drop blue food coloring or 1 oz blue raspberry syrup

  • Ice 🧊

  • Same garnish options as the cocktail

Preparation

Step 1: Chill the glass
Place a highball or hurricane glass in the freezer for 5–10 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare your garnishes—slice the orange, rinse mint leaves, or prep a cherry skewer.
Step 2: Add ice and pour ingredients
Fill the chilled glass halfway with ice. Add 1 oz green apple liqueur, 1 oz vodka, and 1 oz blue curaçao directly into the glass.
Step 3: Add mixers
Pour in 2 oz orange juice followed by 2 oz sweet & sour mix. Stir gently to create a slightly layered effect, or shake if you prefer a uniform green-turquoise hue.
Step 4: Garnish and serve
Top with fresh mint, an orange slice, or a lime wedge. For a sunrise effect, drop in a cherry—it will settle at the bottom and give the drink its signature layered look.

Mocktail Version
Step 1: Add ingredients to a shaker
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine 3 oz orange juice, 1 oz sweet & sour mix, and 1 oz lemon-lime soda. Shake gently.
Step 2: Add color
Add 1 drop of blue food coloring or 1 oz blue raspberry syrup. Stir or shake until the drink becomes a glowing emerald color.
Step 3: Serve and garnish
Strain over fresh ice in a tall glass. Garnish with a cherry, orange slice, or mint sprig for a polished presentation.

Variation

  • Frozen Version: Blend all ingredients with ice for a slushy-style drink

  • Coconut Sunrise: Add a splash of coconut milk or coconut water for creaminess

  • Green Tea Sparkle: Use green tea instead of vodka in the mocktail for a healthy boost

  • Sweet & Spicy: Add a jalapeño slice or spicy salt rim for a bold edge

  • Tropical Sunrise: Add a splash of pineapple juice or mango nectar to enhance the island vibe

Cooking Note

  • Green apple liqueur gives a sweet-tart bite that balances beautifully with citrus—sour apple schnapps is a popular option

  • Blue curaçao brings both color and orange flavor—adjust amounts if you prefer deeper or lighter shades

  • For a non-alcoholic version, blue raspberry syrup or food coloring provides the vibrant tone without spirits

  • Sweet & sour mix can be homemade with equal parts lemon juice, lime juice, and simple syrup

  • Chilling the glass helps preserve the ice and maintain presentation

Tips

  • Use clear or curved glasses to show off the emerald hue

  • For parties, pre-mix the base and pour over ice for guests

  • Layer the drink by pouring sweet & sour mix last over the back of a spoon

  • Add edible glitter or shimmer for a magical, glowing effect

  • Match with citrus-based appetizers or green-themed desserts for a full experience

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Nutritional Information

Cocktail per serving

  • Calories: 220

  • Protein: 0g

  • Fat: 0g

  • Carbohydrates: 22g

  • Sugar: 18g

  • Sodium: 10mg

Mocktail per serving

  • Calories: 140

  • Protein: 0g

  • Fat: 0g

  • Carbohydrates: 28g

  • Sugar: 24g

  • Sodium: 8mg
    Note: May vary depending on juice brand and mixers used

FAQs

Is the Emerald Sunrise sweet or sour?
It has a balanced sweet-tart profile from the citrus, apple, and orange liqueurs. You can adjust the ratios to your taste.

Can I make a big batch?
Yes! Multiply ingredients and mix in a pitcher—just add ice to glasses individually for best flavor.

Can I skip the vodka in the cocktail version?
Absolutely. The green apple liqueur and curaçao alone provide plenty of flavor.

Can I make the mocktail sugar-free?
Yes—use diet lemon-lime soda and unsweetened orange juice or a sugar-free blue syrup.

What kind of event is this best for?
It’s great for brunches, beach parties, St. Patrick’s Day, baby showers, or any celebration with a colorful theme.

Conclusion

Whether you’re going bold with spirits or keeping it light with a mocktail, this Emerald Sunrise Recipe brings color, brightness, and big flavor to any celebration. With its tropical profile, stunning hue, and easy prep, it’s a drink that feels special without requiring a mixology degree. Shake it up, garnish it well, and enjoy a drink that looks as magical as it tastes—cheers to your new favorite green sipper!

Print
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Emerald Sunrise Recipe

  • Author: Imili Johnson
  • Total Time: 5 min
Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

Cocktail Version

  • 1 oz green apple liqueur

  • 1 oz vodka

  • 1 oz blue curaçao

  • 2 oz orange juice

  • 2 oz sweet & sour mix

  • Ice 🧊

  • Garnish: mint, orange slice, cherry, or lime wedge

Mocktail Version

  • 3 oz orange juice

  • 1 oz lemon-lime soda

  • 1 oz sweet & sour mix

  • 1 drop blue food coloring or 1 oz blue raspberry syrup

  • Ice 🧊

  • Same garnish options as the cocktail

Instructions

Preparation

Step 1: Chill the glass
Place a highball or hurricane glass in the freezer for 5–10 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare your garnishes—slice the orange, rinse mint leaves, or prep a cherry skewer.
Step 2: Add ice and pour ingredients
Fill the chilled glass halfway with ice. Add 1 oz green apple liqueur, 1 oz vodka, and 1 oz blue curaçao directly into the glass.
Step 3: Add mixers
Pour in 2 oz orange juice followed by 2 oz sweet & sour mix. Stir gently to create a slightly layered effect, or shake if you prefer a uniform green-turquoise hue.
Step 4: Garnish and serve
Top with fresh mint, an orange slice, or a lime wedge. For a sunrise effect, drop in a cherry—it will settle at the bottom and give the drink its signature layered look.

Mocktail Version
Step 1: Add ingredients to a shaker
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine 3 oz orange juice, 1 oz sweet & sour mix, and 1 oz lemon-lime soda. Shake gently.
Step 2: Add color
Add 1 drop of blue food coloring or 1 oz blue raspberry syrup. Stir or shake until the drink becomes a glowing emerald color.
Step 3: Serve and garnish
Strain over fresh ice in a tall glass. Garnish with a cherry, orange slice, or mint sprig for a polished presentation.

Notes

  • Green apple liqueur gives a sweet-tart bite that balances beautifully with citrus—sour apple schnapps is a popular option

  • Blue curaçao brings both color and orange flavor—adjust amounts if you prefer deeper or lighter shades

  • For a non-alcoholic version, blue raspberry syrup or food coloring provides the vibrant tone without spirits

  • Sweet & sour mix can be homemade with equal parts lemon juice, lime juice, and simple syrup

  • Chilling the glass helps preserve the ice and maintain presentation

  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 0 min

Nutrition

  • Calories: 220
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 10 mg
  • Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Protein: 0g

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