Sex On The Beach Cocktail

Sex On The Beach is a drink that rose to popularity in the 1980s, and it’s little wonder why—peachy, tart, and citrusy, it’s the perfect summer cocktail. Best known for its provocative name, this classic drink is ideal for bringing tropical vibes to any warm-weather celebration. Though the drink has fallen out of vogue, my recipe will have you feeling like you’re on a beach in no time—right at home. Read on for everything you need to know on how to make this vodka cocktail.

What People Are Saying:
"My favorite cocktail recipe! Light and fruity but not overly sweet." - lis4284

"Simple, refreshing, delicious!" - ann2554

How To Make A Sex On The Beach Cocktail

INGREDIENTS

• Vodka: I prefer to use a good-quality plain vodka as the base spirit; starting with a neutral base really gives center stage to the fresh fruit juices. That said, fruit-infused flavored vodka can also work well in this recipe.
• Peach Schnapps: The cocktail’s secondary spirit lends contributes sweetness and intense peach flavor and aroma. If you want to dial back some of the sweetness, peach brandy makes a fine substitute.
• Orange Juice: When it comes to the orange juice, don't feel like you have to go fancy. Just choose an orange juice that you enjoy drinking—I recommend pulp-free, but if you're a pulp fan, go for it! If you want to mix things up—and accentuate the tropical vibes—try swapping in pineapple juice.
• Cranberry Juice: Tart cranberry juice provides a counterweight to the sweet schnapps, bringing balance to the drink.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

While this cocktail is typically shaken, I found that stirring it together directly in the glass yielded several improvements. Forgoing the shaker left the fruit juices more vibrant, preserved clarity, and minimized dilution. Plus, it creates a bit of color gradient, giving the drink extra eye-appeal. And to top it off, stirring is just quicker and simpler—and what’s not to love about that! So, pull a tulip (AKA hurricane) or highball glass off the shelf and fill it with ice.

Pour in the vodka, schnapps, and orange juice and stir gently to combine; if you’ve got a bar spoon (a clever little tool with a long, often spiraled, handle and a small spoon bowl), now’s the time to use it. Slowly pour the cranberry juice over.

To complete this summer cocktail, garnish it with an orange wedge and a maraschino or two. If you really want to take the tropical vibes over the top, adorn the drink with a cocktail umbrella!

Full list of ingredients and directions can be found in the recipe below.

Recipe Tips

• Why is it called Sex On The Beach? Besides its fruity, sweet flavor, it’s no secret that this cocktail is mainly known for its attention-grabbing name. Popular since the 1980s, the exact origin of this drink is unconfirmed, but many think the name came about when a Florida bartender created the cocktail as a way to promote the sale of peach schnapps. He aptly named his creation after what he considered to be the biggest attractions of spring break: “sex” and “the beach.”
• Chill your glass: To keep the cocktail optimally cold and refreshing and to slow dilution from the ice, chill your glass ahead of time. Just 15 minutes in the freezer is all it takes.