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This sweet, fruity, and has an absolutely memorable (whether you hate it or love it) name – the Sex on the Beach Cocktail is a classic that we always love making. No matter if you love or hate the name – the amazing sweet tropical flavor is always there! We hope you love this drink as much as we do.
This classic cocktail is easy to drink, simple to make, and doesn’t involve hard to find liquor – just vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, and cranberry juice for a fresh and delicious tropical flavor. Sex and the beach cocktails make perfect arty drinks, can be made in big batches, and taste light and fruity – they aren’t overwhelming with a strong alcohol flavor.
Don’t want all the extras in a recipe post? We provide a skip to recipe button in the top left corner, as well as a clickable table of contents, just below, to help make this page easier to navigate.
At Sweet C’s, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. My goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.
Table of contents
How to Make Sex on The Beach Cocktails
There are a lot of backstories people attribute to the history of the Sex on the Beach drink, but many people say it originated in the mid 1980’s at Confetti’s Bar in Florida. Ted Pizio, a bartender who was supposed to be moving lots of peach schnapps, came up with the name as a nod to what he thought “really” brought tourists to Florida – and decided sex and beaches were more popular than Mickey Mouse, or so the story goes.
Sex on the Beach Ingredients
First assemble the following ingredients:
- Vodka (2 ounces) – Vodka provides a clean, smooth base that lets the fruity flavors shine without overpowering the cocktail.
- Peach schnapps (1½ ounces) – Peach schnapps adds sweet, juicy peach flavor that gives this cocktail its signature tropical vibe.
- Orange juice (3 ounces) – Orange juice brings bright citrus freshness and balances the sweetness with a sunny, refreshing taste.
- Cranberry juice (3 ounces) – Cranberry juice adds a tart pop and that classic layered sunset color that makes this drink so eye-catching.
- Cranberries (for garnish) – Fresh cranberries add a festive touch and a subtle burst of tartness with each sip.
- Maraschino cherry (for garnish) – A maraschino cherry finishes the drink with a sweet, nostalgic garnish that’s as fun as it is flavorful.
Steps to Make Sex on the Beach Cocktail
Once you have assembled the ingredients, use this method:
Prep and Stir
Pour all ingredients into a tall glass with ice and stir to combine. Fill a glass with ice and some cranberries.
Garnish and Enjoy
Be sure to garnish with cranberries, orange slices, and a maraschino cherry, and serve with a straw.
Tips and Tricks to Perfect Sex on the Beach Drinks
Try Other Flavors –You can make this drink stronger with more vodka; or make a tasty non-alcoholic version by adding tonic water instead of vodka and using peach simple syrup instead of peach schnapps – so everyone at your party can get in on the fun!
Make it Smoky – For a smoky, delicious version of a sex on the beach, try swapping the vodka with mezcal or a tequila you love. Both pair deliciously with peach schnapps and add a bit of a different twist to a Sex on the Beach!
Make it Creamy – if you like creamy, rich tropical drinks, add an ounce of heavy cream and shake to mix well for a flavor a bit like a tropical creamsicle!
Sex on the Beach Slush – blend with ice to create a slushy sex on the beach that is fun to drink, similar to a margarita!
Make it Fresh – use fresh oranges and fresh grapefruit juice to give a bright, tart, less sweet fresher kick!
Sex on the Beach Drink FAQs
Use 2 oz tonic instead of vodka and 1 1/2 ounce peach simple syrup instead of schnapps for non alcoholic sex on the beach drinks.
Yes—while peach schnapps is traditional, you can substitute peach juice, peach nectar, or even apricot liqueur for a similar fruity note.
It’s considered moderately strong; the fruit juices soften the alcohol, making it easy-drinking, so it’s best enjoyed slowly.
Absolutely—blend the ingredients with ice for a slushy, frozen version that’s perfect for summer parties.
Yes—simply skip the alcohol and combine orange juice, cranberry juice, and peach nectar for a refreshing mocktail.
Other Cocktails You’ll Love
If you love this easy cocktails, be sure to check out more of our favorite easy drinks!
We’re rounding up some of our favorites below:
Be sure to find our entire drink recipe archive here.
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Sex on the Beach Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1½ ounces peach schnapps
- 3 ounces orange juice
- 3 ounces cranberry juice
- Cranberries, for garnish
- Maraschino cherry, for garnish
Instructions
- Pour all ingredients into a tall glass with ice and stir to combine
- Garnish with cranberries and a maraschino cherry and serve with a straw.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
