Hi Joy, I hope this helps you, with your tequila sunrise.
The correct strumming pattern, and I play bass strumming on my guitar to this song is:
1,2,&,3,&&,4,&,1,2,& etc
You play the 3 beat which is down, and then up, then down but do not make contact with any strings then up, hence the && then down and so on. In effect your missing a beat when your counting. Tap you foot, or clap is what I do.
This pattern is what gives the song its distinctive sound, in reality its just a simple shuffle. And this pattern is the CORRECT one.
Good luck with your guitar playing.
P Macca(Liverpool)