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Keto Tequila Sunrise

This keto tequila sunrise is a refreshing low carb and sugar free alternative to the classic cocktail!

Keto Tequila Sunrise - a refreshing low carb version of the classic cocktail!

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When I first posted my collection of low carb tequila drinks, I confessed that a recipe for tequila sunrise was very noticeable by its absence. So now I have corrected this! So let's look at why it's so tricky. Here's the outline of this classic cocktail:

3 parts Tequila
6 parts Orange juice
1 part Grenadine syrup
Pour the tequila and orange juice into glass over ice. Add the grenadine, which will sink to the bottom. Stir gently to create the sunrise effect.” 

Soooo the tequila is OK, the juice and syrup is an issue. But like when making a keto Mai Tai or my low carb white wine sangria, there ARE options to replace these fruity ingredients. First of all, the orange juice. I didn't want anything sparkling, so here are some options:

In the end I went with the last option – specifically Vitamin Water Zero in “Rise” flavor. These drinks are SO refreshing, but make sure you get the Zero version as the packaging is very similar to the high sugar versions. 

Next, the grenadine – which is basically a pomegranate syrup. Because of the high sugar content, one tablespoon contains a whopping 13.4g net carbs! So I came up with a combination of homemade simple syrup, pomegranate concentrate, and red food dye. Obviously if you have already made the simple syrup then it's a lot quicker, but I have provided the details in the recipe card in case you're only make this cocktail. Oh, and you can buy grenadine flavoring, which combines the pomegranate with the food dye, but it wasn't available when I came to make this recipe!

So let's (finally!) get to the recipe!

How to Make a Keto Tequila Sunrise

Make the low carb grenadine syrup by adding water and sweetener (I use Lakanto) to a small saucepan. Bring to the boil and cook until the sweetener has dissolved and the mixture has reduced by half. Let cool fully. Mix in some pomegranate concentrate and red food dye.  Set aside.

Keto Tequila Sunrise - a refreshing low carb version of the classic cocktail!

Fill four tall glasses with ice and add some tequila and the orange flavored water to each one. Stir to combine.

Keto Tequila Sunrise - a refreshing low carb version of the classic cocktail!

Slowly add a tablespoon of grenadine syrup to each glass. It will sink to the bottom, so that the top of the drink remains lighter and has a more orange hue.

Keto Tequila Sunrise - a refreshing low carb version of the classic cocktail!

Shown here with a slice of orange. I wouldn't normally suggest fresh orange to anyone on a keto diet, but if you eat it, it adds just 2g net carbs to the cocktail. The choice is yours!

Keto Tequila Sunrise - a refreshing low carb version of the classic cocktail!

This version is a lot lighter than the original, because of course it uses a water-based drink as the main ingredient, rather than orange juice. But all the flavors are there, for a fraction of the carbs – only 1g net carb per drink!

Keto Tequila Sunrise

Keto Tequila Sunrise

Yield: 4 Servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Cooling Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

This keto tequila sunrise is a refreshing low carb and sugar free alternative to the classic cocktail!

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Make the syrup by adding the water and sweetener to a small saucepan. Bring to the boil and cook until the sweetener has dissolved and the mixture has reduced by half. Let cool fully. Mix in some pomegranate concentrate and red food dye.  Set aside.
  2. Fill four tall glasses with ice and add two tablespoons of tequila and one cup of the orange water to each glass. Stir to combine.
  3. Slowly add a tablespoon of grenadine syrup to each glass. It will sink to the bottom, so that the top of the drink remains lighter and has a more orange hue.
  4. Garnish with the orange slice, if using.

Notes

1g net carb per drink, not including the orange slice (an extra 2g net carbs if consumed)

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Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1 drink
Amount Per Serving Calories 66Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 0mgCarbohydrates 1gNet Carbohydrates 1gFiber 0gProtein 0g
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