Frozen Tequila Sunrise
By Marty Cole · March 21, 2026
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Sunday brunch got a little louder the day I poured this Frozen Tequila Sunrise out of the Ninja Slushi. Tequila and orange juice freeze up slushy and smooth, then the grenadine sinks down and gives you that orange-to-red sunrise look in the glass. My brother held his up to the window like he was on a postcard. Keep it to the 21-plus crowd. Add the grenadine after you pour rather than blending it in, because letting it settle on its own is how you get that layered sunrise instead of a uniform pink cup.
Your machine size
Slushi 64 oz (Standard) · quantities scaled ×1
⚠️ Over the hard-spirit limit
~8.0 oz of 40% spirit exceeds the ~7.5 oz max for this batch size. Dilute or scale down the liquor.
Ingredients
- Blanco Tequila8 oz
- Orange Juice24 oz
- Grenadine Syrup4 oz
- Cold Water12 oz
- Orange Sliceoptional1 garnish
Makes ~50 oz · est. 6.7% ABV
Directions
- 1Combine the tequila, orange juice, and water in a pitcher and stir.
- 2Hold back the grenadine for the layered sunrise look.
- 3Pour the orange mixture into the Slushi vessel below the fill line.
- 4Lock the lid and start the SPIKED SLUSH preset.
- 5Let it freeze until slushy, about 36 minutes.
- 6Dispense, drizzle grenadine down the side, and add an orange slice.
Tips
- Pour your tequila, orange juice, and water into the Ninja Slushi bowl at room temperature, then let the machine do the work for 20 to 60 minutes until you get that perfect slushy texture.
- Drizzle the grenadine slowly over the top of the finished slush just before serving so it settles and creates that signature sunrise look.
- If your slush gets too thick, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes, then run the machine again for another 5 to 10 minutes to loosen it up.
Variations
- Skip the grenadine and use a splash of lime juice with a float of coconut rum on top for a different citrus kick.
- Swap the orange juice for pineapple juice and use a tiny bit of dark rum to make it feel more tropical.
FAQ
- Can I use frozen orange juice concentrate instead of fresh juice?
- Yes, just dilute it according to the package directions first so it pours smoothly into the bowl. Using concentrate instead of fresh juice won't change how the machine freezes your drink.
- Why didn't my drink turn to slush after 45 minutes?
- Make sure you poured enough liquid into the bowl and that your tequila and juice weren't super cold when you started. If the machine is running but nothing's happening, give it a few more minutes or pour out the mixture and start fresh.
- Can I make this less strong with less tequila?
- Absolutely, you can use less tequila and add a bit more water or orange juice to balance the flavor. Just keep in mind that more water means it'll freeze slightly faster.
- Can I prepare the liquid base ahead of time?
- Yes, mix your tequila, orange juice, and water in a pitcher and store it in the fridge for up to a day. Pour it into the Slushi bowl when you're ready to make the drink.
Nutrition
Per serving · makes about 4 servings · estimated
Ratings & Reviews
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Meet Marty Cole
I'm a home cook who got a little obsessed with the Ninja Slushi and Creami. I test every recipe in my own kitchen on a real machine, dial in the texture, and only post the ones my family actually finishes.
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