Please, no puns on the name of the Sex on the Beach cocktail recipe. Whatever you think of – it’s been done. Yes, even if your friends giggle and snort, that’s just because they’re a bunch of doofuses. And so are you. But who cares?
That’s what kind of a drink it is – fun, silly, light-hearted, easy-going fruity cocktail. And so delicious, with orange juice and cranberry juice as the headline flavors. Really a terrific flavor.
This is a stealth cocktail – meaning it tastes weaker than it is. All that tasty fruit juice covers two full ounces of vodka plus an ounce of peach schnapps.
So while the alcohol flavor is mild enough for most new or occasional drinkers, the potency is actually a little higher than most cocktails. And that can lead to…unintended and sometimes funny consequences.
Just be aware this one can sneak up on you. It’s not quite like a Long Island Iced Tea, but you may find yourself wobblier than expected after a couple of these.
Sex on the Beach Recipe Origins
It almost certainly came from the 1980s. It may have been created by a Florida bartender in 1987 to attract spring break drinkers, and yet it appears in recipe books in 1982. So its origins are a little mysterious.
When to serve a Sex on the Beach cocktail
You can make a Sex on the Beach anytime, any place. I think of it as perfect for relaxing and refreshing on a hot afternoon.
But it’s also great for a night out dancing. The fruit juice gives you a little bit of sugar and hydration to keep up your energy. It’s also a great drink for parties.
Because there’s no shaking and straining, it’s easy to make in big batches ahead of time. This makes it easy to refill or top up guests’ drinks.
At parties, you can put it in a beverage dispenser and let guests serve themselves. That makes it especially great for barbecues and other casual get-togethers and frees you up to enjoy yourself more.
Variations
This classic recipe has had more than a few changes over the years. The classic Sex on the Beach started out with grenadine, but most bartenders and drinkers found cranberry juice to be a better choice.
Some bartenders pour this one with grapefruit juice or pineapple juice instead of orange juice. Pineapple gives it a more tropical feel. (My personal opinion? Grapefruit juice makes the best Sex on the Beach.)
And you can always substitute a different peach liqueur if you want.
Some recipes call for shaking it in a cocktail shaker with ice. The official IBA version does not. You build the ingredients in the glass.
How to Make a Big Batch version
Here are several measurements if you want to make this drink in big batches.
| Pitcher Size | Vodka (ounces) | Peach Schnapps (ounces) | Orange Juice (ounces) | Cranberry Juice (ounces) | Optional Lemon Juice (teaspoons) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small (4 servings) | 8 (1 cup) | 4 (1/2 cup) | 8 (1 cup) | 8 (1 cup) | 1 |
| Medium (8 servings) | 16 (2 cups) | 8 (1 cup) | 16 (2 cups) | 16 (2 cups) | 2 |
| Large (12 servings) | 24 (3 cups) | 12 (1 1/2 cups) | 24 (3 cups) | 24 (3 cups) | 3 |
Is there a virgin Sex on the Beach drink?
There are a few recipes for a non-alcoholic version for the non-drinkers. I call the ones I came up with Cuddles on the Beach. The flavor is there, just without the alcohol.
Hardly anyone will say no to this cocktail. It’s one of those drinks that has such an easygoing flavor that most everyone loves it.
Related Cocktail Recipes
- The Cosmopolitan has a similar blend of citrus and cranberry juice, but it’s overall lighter and brighter. It’s an easy drink to love.
- The Mountain Breeze is also all about the citrus and cranberry flavors. But it’s also got just about every liquor in your bar.
- The Long Beach Iced Tea features cranberry juice, lemon juice and triple sec for its flavor. All the rest is alcohol.
Sex on the Beach Cocktail Recipe
The Sex on the Beach cocktail is a classic drink recipe. It features vodka, peach schnapps with orange and cranberry juice. The taste is fruity with just enough tartness to keep it from being too sweet. The alcohol flavor isn't very noticeable.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces of vodka
- 1 ounce of peach schnapps
- 2 ounces of orange juice
- 2 ounces of cranberry juice
- Optional: teaspoon of lemon juice
Instructions
- Build the ingredients in a highball glass with ice.
- Stir.
- Garnish with orange slices and some cherries. Drink up!
Notes
- You can shake it in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into the glass if you prefer. Some versions call for that, but the official IBA recipe calls for building the ingredients right in the glass.
- Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to add a little tart note to counter the sweetness. It's delicious.
- Feel free to tweak the ingredient amounts to your taste.
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