Pineapple Sunrise

The Pineapple Sunrise, despite its name, is a sweet and simple mocktail built on apple juice and grenadine. It offers a bright, fruity refreshment without the booze. Think of it as a non-alcoholic twist on the classic Sunrise, perfect for anyone skipping the spirits but still wanting a colorful, easy-drinking option. It’s a crowd-pleaser for all ages and situations where an alcohol-free choice is needed.

Pineapple Sunrise

4.68 from 40 votes

Calories: 54kcal

Prep Time: 3

Total Time: 5

Ingredients

▢ 4 - 6 oz Apple Juice
▢ 1 Splash(s) Grenadine Syrup

Instructions

▢
Pour Juice - PineJuice - Apple Juice over a glass of ice. Add a squirt of grenadine. and serve.

Estimated Nutrition:

Calories: 54kcal (3%)Carbohydrates: 14g (5%)Sugar: 13g (14%)

Mocktail

Where it came from

The Sunrise family of drinks, typically the Tequila Sunrise, emerged from the 1970s as a vibrant, layered cocktail. This non-alcoholic version follows the same visual playbook, applying it to a simple juice base. Its exact origin is likely a natural evolution in home bartending and restaurant menus looking to offer virgin alternatives to popular drinks.

This mocktail sits squarely in the Sunrise family, known for its layered color. Its closest relatives are the Tequila Sunrise and Vodka Sunrise. What sets this drink apart is the complete absence of alcohol, relying instead on the sweetness of apple juice and the visual flair of grenadine to mimic its boozy counterparts.

You’d typically find or serve a Pineapple Sunrise at brunch gatherings, poolside events, or family barbecues. It’s an ideal choice for designated drivers, younger guests, or anyone who wants a festive drink without the alcohol content. It’s also a staple at casual dining spots that offer a range of non-alcoholic options.

What it tastes like

This drink hits with a straightforward, sweet apple flavor upfront, characteristic of the juice base. As you sip, the grenadine introduces a subtle, berry-like sweetness and a touch of tartness that rounds out the middle. The finish is clean, leaving a lingering, pleasant fruitiness that makes it very approachable and refreshing.

As a mocktail, the Pineapple Sunrise has a 0.0% ABV. This means it contains no alcohol whatsoever. In terms of strength, it is comparable to a soft drink or juice, and significantly less potent than even the lightest beer or a standard cocktail.

The technique

Building this drink is about as straightforward as it gets. Start with a tall glass, ideally a highball or a Collins glass, and fill it generously with ice. Pour in your apple juice, leaving a little room at the top. Then, gently add a splash or a squirt of grenadine. The trick is to let the grenadine sink through the juice, creating that signature layered ‘sunrise’ effect. Serve immediately.

The one technique that matters most here is the gentle addition of the grenadine. To achieve the visual gradient, pour the grenadine slowly over the back of a spoon, or directly against the inside wall of the glass, allowing it to sink through the denser juice. If you just dump it in, it will mix immediately, and you’ll lose the characteristic layered look that gives the drink its name.

Drink Buddy Exclusive

Tell us what's in your cabinet.

Our Cocktail Builder takes whatever bottles you've got and hands you every drink you can actually make tonight.

Open the Builder →

Get the Drink Buddy newsletter

One drink, one tip, one Tuesday a month.

Plus the recipes we drop before they hit the site. Zero spam.

Ingredient Spotlight

The bottles that make or break this drink.

Apple Juice

Use: A good quality, clear apple juice is best. Brands like Mott’s or Martinelli’s offer consistent flavor. Avoid cloudy or pulpy varieties for the best presentation.
Skip: Apple juice concentrates or overly sugary, artificial apple-flavored drinks. These can taste cloying and detract from the clean, refreshing profile.
Why: Apple juice provides the primary flavor and body for this mocktail. Its natural sweetness and mild acidity create a versatile base that pairs well with the grenadine without overpowering it.

Grenadine Syrup

Use: Look for grenadine made with real pomegranate, such as Rose’s or Liber & Co. These offer a more complex, tart-sweet flavor and a vibrant, natural color.
Skip: Generic, artificially colored red syrups that are just sugar and dye. These provide only sweetness and an unnatural hue, missing the subtle fruit notes of true grenadine.
Why: Grenadine is crucial for both the visual appeal and a touch of balanced sweetness. It creates the iconic ‘sunrise’ layer and adds a pleasant, slightly tangy berry note to the drink.

Three Variations

Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.

Pineapple Juice Version

The named drink, with pineapple.: For a true Pineapple Sunrise, swap the apple juice for 4-6 oz of pineapple juice. This delivers a tropical, tangy flavor that is often associated with the drink’s title.

Fizzy Sunrise

Add some sparkle.: After adding the apple juice and grenadine, top the drink with a splash of club soda or ginger ale for a bubbly texture and a slight ginger kick.

Adult Sunrise

Make it boozy.: Turn this mocktail into a full cocktail by adding 1.5-2 oz of tequila or vodka to the apple juice before adding the grenadine for an alcoholic version.

What if I don't have…

Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.

No Apple Juice?

Orange juice or pineapple juice are excellent substitutes, changing the flavor profile but maintaining the fruity base.

No Grenadine?

A splash of raspberry syrup, cherry syrup, or even a muddled strawberry can provide a similar color and sweet-tart element.

No highball glass?

Any tall drinking glass will work, such as a pint glass or even a large tumbler. The key is enough vertical space for the layers.

No ice?

Pre-chill your apple juice and grenadine thoroughly. While not ideal for the layered effect, it will still provide a refreshing, cold drink.

Frequently Asked Questions

Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.

What is in a Pineapple Sunrise?

A Pineapple Sunrise, per this recipe, contains 4-6 ounces of apple juice and a splash of grenadine syrup, served over ice.

Why is it called Pineapple Sunrise if it uses apple juice?

The name ‘Pineapple Sunrise’ is commonly used for a drink featuring pineapple juice. This particular recipe uses apple juice, making it an apple-based ‘sunrise’ mocktail, often served as an alternative or variation.

Is a Pineapple Sunrise alcoholic?

No, a Pineapple Sunrise made with apple juice and grenadine is a mocktail, meaning it contains no alcohol. It is a refreshing, non-alcoholic drink.

What does a Pineapple Sunrise taste like?

It tastes sweet and fruity, predominantly of apple with a subtle, sweet-tart berry note from the grenadine. It’s clean, refreshing, and very easy to drink.

Can I use pineapple juice instead of apple juice?

Absolutely. Swapping apple juice for pineapple juice is a very common and recommended variation, especially if you want a more tropical flavor profile that aligns with the drink’s name.

How do you make the ‘sunrise’ effect?

To create the layered effect, pour the grenadine slowly over the back of a spoon or against the inside wall of the glass after the apple juice and ice are in. This allows the denser grenadine to sink and create a gradient.

What kind of glass should I use?

A tall glass like a highball, Collins, or even a large tumbler is ideal. These glasses provide enough height for the grenadine to layer effectively and showcase the drink’s colors.

Can I add alcohol to a Pineapple Sunrise?

Yes, you can easily turn this into an alcoholic cocktail. Add 1.5 to 2 ounces of tequila or vodka to the glass with the apple juice before adding the grenadine.

From the Drink Lab catalogue

Drink Lab has been collecting cocktail recipes since 2013. Some we wrote ourselves, plenty came in from readers, and the rest got passed across a bar somewhere along the way.

Last updated May 8, 2026 · 1 min read