Sex on the Beach

Sex on the Beach is a fun, fruity cocktail that’s perfect for summer. Made with vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, and cranberry juice, it’s deliciously sweet and seriously refreshing. Ideal for summer parties, cookouts, or lazy days by the pool… and surprisingly easy to make! 

Back in the day, when I was working my way through college, I had a job as a waitress. And one of my favorite parts of the job… of course… was sitting down at the bar for my after-shift drink. At the time, I really loved sweet drinks, and Sex on the Beach was one of my absolute favorites.

There’s something about the combination of flavors that’s so deliciously tropical… it really does feel like you should be drinking it on the beach.

But once you find out just how easy it is to make at home, believe me when I say you won’t be waiting for your next beach vacation to drink one!

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🍊 Ingredients

There are many different versions of this cocktail, but these ingredients (minus the lemon juice) are the ones that are officially approved by the IBA. I like to add a splash of lemon juice to mine to help balance out the sweetness of the drink.

• 2 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. peach schnapps
• 2 oz. orange juice
• 2 oz. cranberry juice
• 1/2 tsp. lemon juice (optional)

📋 Instructions

These are the instructions for making a single drink. If you’d like to make a larger batch, simply mix the ingredients in a pitcher without ice, then pour it into glasses with ice and garnish with an orange slice and maraschino cherry.

1. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake well; strain into a highball glass with ice.
3. Garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.

🍍 Recipe variations

There are a number of different ways to make Sex on the Beach, and if you order them at different bars, you may get very different drinks! Here are some fun ideas for you to personalize yours:

• Use your favorite flavored vodka
• Make it with pineapple juice
• Make it without orange juice (called a “Woo Woo”)
• Add a splash of lemonade
• Substitute tequila for the vodka
• Blend with ice to make it frozen
• Substitute grenadine for the cranberry juice
• Substitute Chambord or Midori for the peach schnapps

🏖 Why is it called Sex on the Beach?

The Sex on the Beach cocktail is most often attributed to a Florida bartender named Ted Pizio, who made it as a promotion for a peach schnapps company. He named it Sex on the Beach because he assumed that “sex” and “the beach” were two of the main reasons spring breakers visited Florida.

🍹 Related recipes

Cocktails are always refreshing in the summer months, and these are some of our favorites!

• Amaretto Sour
• Tom Collins
• Whiskey Sour
• Blueberry Mojito
• Vodka Cranberry
• White Sangria
• Frozen Mango Margarita
• Frozen Peach Slush
• Tropical Sangria

Sex on the Beach

Sex on the Beach is a fun, fruity cocktail that's perfect for summer. Made with vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, and cranberry juice, it's deliciously sweet and seriously refreshing. Ideal for summer parties, cookouts, or lazy days by the pool... and surprisingly easy to make! 

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 1

Calories: 235kcal

Author: Cathy Trochelman

Ingredients

• 2 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. peach schnapps
• 2 oz. orange juice
• 2 oz. cranberry juice
• 1/2 tsp. lemon juice optional

Instructions

• Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
• Shake well; strain into a highball glass with ice.
• Garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.

Notes

• To make a large batch, combine 2 c. vodka, 1 c. peach schnapps, 2 c. orange juice, and 2 c. cranberry juice in a pitcher without ice. Pour into ice-filled glasses and garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 235kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 6mg | Sugar: 18g

Sex on the Beach is a fun, fruity cocktail that’s perfect for summer. Made with vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, and cranberry juice, it’s deliciously sweet and seriously refreshing. Ideal for summer parties, cookouts, or lazy days by the pool… and surprisingly easy to make!