Sex on the Beach Cocktail
This fruity vodka cocktail is easy to mix at home with peach schnapps, orange juice, and cranberry juice. It is bright, sweet-tart, and made right in the glass or in a shaker.
- Total time
- 5 min
- Yield
- 1 cocktail
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 5mCook 0mAmericanDrinks
The Sex on the Beach cocktail became a bar favorite in the 1980s, and it is still popular for good reason. It is simple, colorful, and easy to sip, with peach, orange, cranberry, and vodka in every glass.
You do not need special skills to make it. A quick shake with ice chills the drink and blends the juices. If you do not have a shaker, you can build it straight in a tall glass and stir well.
This recipe makes one cocktail, which is the easiest way to keep the balance right. For a small party, you can scale it up and chill the juice mixture ahead of time, then add the vodka and ice when serving.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
7 items · 1 cocktail
- 1 1/2 ounces vodka
- 1/2 ounce peach schnapps
- 2 ounces orange juice, preferably chilled
- 2 ounces cranberry juice cocktail, preferably chilled
- Ice cubes
- Orange slice, for garnish, optional
- Maraschino cherry, for garnish, optional
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Chill the glass
Fill a highball glass with ice or place it in the freezer for a few minutes. A highball glass is a tall, narrow glass often used for mixed drinks.
2. Add ice to a shaker
Fill a cocktail shaker about halfway with ice. If you do not have a shaker, use a lidded jar that seals tightly.
3. Pour in the spirits
Add the vodka and peach schnapps to the shaker. Measure carefully, because a little extra schnapps can make the drink very sweet.
4. Add the juices
Pour in the orange juice and cranberry juice cocktail. Cranberry juice cocktail is sweetened, which is the classic choice for this drink.
5. Shake until cold
Seal the shaker and shake for 10 to 15 seconds, until the outside feels very cold. Shaking chills the drink and lightly blends the fruit juices with the alcohol.
6. Strain over fresh ice
Empty the ice from the chilled glass if it has melted. Fill the glass with fresh ice, then strain the cocktail into the glass.
7. Garnish and serve
Add an orange slice and a maraschino cherry, if you like. Serve right away while the drink is cold and the ice is firm.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead tip: Mix the orange juice and cranberry juice up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate. Add the vodka, peach schnapps, and ice just before serving so the drink tastes fresh.
- For a pitcher: Multiply the ingredients by the number of drinks you need. Keep the pitcher chilled, but do not add ice until serving or the cocktail will become watery.
- Swap the juice: Unsweetened cranberry juice is much more tart than cranberry juice cocktail. If you use it, add 1/4 to 1/2 ounce simple syrup to taste.
- Make it lighter: Use 1 ounce vodka instead of 1 1/2 ounces, or top the finished drink with a splash of club soda.
- No shaker? Build the drink in the glass. Add ice, vodka, schnapps, orange juice, and cranberry juice, then stir for 20 seconds.
- Storage: A mixed cocktail with alcohol and juice can be refrigerated for a few hours, but it is best served fresh. Do not store it with ice.
Cook's note
Alcohol content can vary by brand, especially with peach schnapps. The nutrition below is an estimate for one cocktail made with 80-proof vodka, standard peach schnapps, orange juice, and sweetened cranberry juice cocktail. Optional garnishes are not included.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Can I make a Sex on the Beach cocktail without a shaker?
Yes. Add all the liquid ingredients to a tall glass filled with ice and stir well for about 20 seconds. It will be slightly less aerated than a shaken drink, but it will still taste good.
What kind of vodka should I use?
Use a clean-tasting vodka you enjoy. Since this cocktail has fruit juice and peach schnapps, you do not need a very expensive bottle.
Can I use cranberry juice instead of cranberry juice cocktail?
You can, but the drink will be tarter and less sweet. Taste it before serving and add a little simple syrup if needed.
Can I make this into a mocktail?
Yes. Skip the vodka and peach schnapps. Use 2 ounces orange juice, 2 ounces cranberry juice cocktail, and 1 ounce peach nectar, then top with a little club soda.
Why does my cocktail taste too sweet?
Peach schnapps and cranberry juice cocktail both contain sugar. Use a little less schnapps, choose a tart cranberry juice, or add a squeeze of fresh lime to balance the sweetness.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
1 cocktail
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat0 g
- 0%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium2 mg
- 0%
- Total Carbohydrate17 g
- 6%
- Dietary Fiber0 g
- 0%
- Total Sugars16 g
- Protein0 g
- 0%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium9 mg
- 1%
- Iron0.1 mg
- 1%
- Potassium118 mg
- 3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
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