Sex on the Beach Cocktail Recipe

Sex on the Beach is a timeless classic that has delighted cocktail lovers for decades. It’s iconic with its vibrant colors and tantalizing flavors.

Even if you’re not on the beach, drinking this cocktail can make you feel like you are. 

You can find Sex on the Beach at beachside bars, pool parties, and tropical getaways. It’s just so fun, fabulous, and beachy. 

Every sip is delightfully sweet and fruity, with just enough tartness to provide contrast. It tastes like summertime, even in winter. 

So, whether it’s summer or you wish it were, try Sex on the Beach! 

Sex on the Beach Drink 

This fruity drink has a sweet, peach schnapps-filled taste and a matching peachy color. It’s been a favorite summer drink since the 1980s. 

Rumor has it that Floridian bartender Ted Pizio created the drink. According to Pizio, sex, and beaches are the best things about Spring Break. 

Thus, the name was born. 

Because of its provocative name, it quickly gained popularity in TV shows and movies. 

People in every prime-time show ordered Sex on the Beach cocktails left and right.

However, the drink itself is actually delicious. It’s sweet, light, and refreshing without being too strong. 

So before long, people were ordering the drink regularly. Not because it had a sexy name but because they genuinely loved it. And yes, it’s still going strong today. 

Fortunately, you can save a little money and make it at home! 

Ingredients 

Here’s what you need: 

• Ice- You will add ice to the drink, so feel free to use pretty cubes. These seashell-shaped ice cube molds from Amazon make fun, festive summer cubes. 

• Vodka- Peach schnapps provide a lot of flavor but aren’t strong. Add a little vodka to help boost the alcohol. Pick a high-quality brand whose taste you enjoy. Check out this article for 23 more vodka cocktails. 

• Peach Schnapps- I prefer the DeKuyper and Aspen brands, but you can use whatever you have. Just make sure it’s peach schnapps and not peach liqueur, which is NOT the same thing. 

• Orange Juice- Use fresh-squeezed orange juice for the best flavor. If you must use store-bought juice, get 100% pure orange juice WITHOUT pulp.

• Cranberry Juice- Opt for cranberry juice blended with sweeter fruit juices, like Ocean Spray. Using unsweetened cranberry juice will make your cocktail too tart.

• Garnishes- Sex on the Beach garnishes include orange slices and maraschino cherries. 

How to Make Sex on the Beach 

Making a Sex on the Beach is super simple. You won’t need any special equipment – not even a cocktail shaker! Here’s how to do it: 

1. Fill a glass with ice. Select a highball glass and fill it with ice. 

2. Add the drink ingredients. Add the vodka and peach schnapps first. Then, top them off with the orange juice and cranberry juice. 

3. Garnish and serve. Garnish the drink with an orange slice and maraschino cherry (if desired). Then, serve and enjoy! 

How to Make a Large Batch Sex on the Beach 

Making Sex on the Beach cocktails for a large party or get-together? No problem! Whip up a large batch instead of single cocktails. 

You’ll need the following ingredients: 

• 12 ounces vodka
• 12 ounces peach schnapps
• 16 ounces orange juice, freshly squeezed
• 16 ounces cranberry juice

Pour all of the ingredients into a large pitcher and stir. Although you don’t have to mix single cocktails, making them in batches is different. 

Stirring ensures every guest gets a good mix of ingredients in their drink. 

Fill eight highball glasses with ice and lay out the garnishes! 

When your guests are ready, they can pour themselves a lovely, fruity, delicious Sex on the Beach. 

Recipe Variations 

Feeling a little adventurous? Try some of these variations: 

• Play with the colors. Most people know this drink for its vibrant hue. Adjust juice proportions to get your desired reddish-orange shade.

• Add crème de cassis. Some prefer adding 1/2 ounce of crème de cassis for depth. If you find it too sweet, reduce the peach schnapps.

• Use the authentic recipe. The first Sex on the Beach didn’t contain cranberry juice. Grenadine gave it its peachy-red hue. If you want a drink more like the original, use grenadine instead. 

• Swap out the orange juice. Orange juice is the standard ingredient for this drink. However, you can swap it out with grapefruit juice for more bite. Or pineapple juice for a sweeter cocktail. 

• Make an icy cold slushie. Instead of pouring the ingredients into a glass, add them to the blender. Then, add the ice and blend. The result is an icy, slushy Sex on the Beach treat. 

• Make a mocktail instead. Leave out the vodka and use peach nectar instead of peach schnapps. 

• Use flavored vodka. Adding flavored vodka instead of plain gives the drink more oomph. Try peach or pineapple vodka!

• Try a Sex on the Driveway. Leave out the orange and cranberry juices. Add blue curacao to the recipe instead. The taste is similar, but this one has a lovely blue hue.