Sex on the Beach: A Sunset-Hued Cocktail Full of Fun and Fruity Flavor

Few cocktails scream carefree summer fun quite like Sex on the Beach. With its cheeky name, tropical fruit flavors, and eye-catching color gradient that mimics a beachside sunset, this drink has been a favorite since the cocktail boom of the 1980s. It’s sweet, juicy, and easy to love—whether you’re sipping it from a beach lounger, a brunch table, or your own backyard deck.

Despite its racy name, the drink is all about comfort and casual fun. Combining vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, and cranberry juice, Sex on the Beach delivers a fruity, punchy experience that feels like vacation in a glass.

I had my first one at a beach bar in Thailand. The name made everyone at the table smirk, but that first sip—peachy, tart, and perfectly chilled—made us believers. Since then, it’s been my go-to when I want something that’s both familiar and festive.

Let’s break down how to bring this playful cocktail into your own home bar lineup.

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Quick Facts: Sex on the Beach Cocktail

Method: built or shaken
Flavor profile: sweet, fruity, tart
How to serve it: over ice
Glassware: highball or hurricane glass
Alcohol content: ~12–14% ABV, ~16 grams of alcohol per serving

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Ingredients

• 1½ oz vodka
• ½ oz peach schnapps
• 2 oz orange juice (fresh or high-quality store-bought)
• 2 oz cranberry juice
• Ice
• Garnish: orange slice and maraschino cherry

The combination of vodka and peach schnapps gives the cocktail its smooth boozy base with a fruity sweetness, while orange juice adds brightness and body. Cranberry juice not only balances the sweetness with a tart bite, but also gives the drink its signature pink-orange gradient.

For the best flavor, use 100% cranberry juice or a balanced cranberry cocktail—not the overly sweetened versions. If you like a more citrusy edge, swap the orange juice for fresh-squeezed or even a splash of lime.

You can also play with proportions: more cranberry for tartness, more peach schnapps for sweetness, or even a float of grenadine for extra drama.

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Equipment Needed

• Highball or hurricane glass
• Jigger
• Bar spoon (for layering or stirring)
• Shaker (optional, if you want a uniform mix)
• Ice scoop

Sex on the Beach can be built directly in the glass or shaken and strained for a consistent blend. The built version keeps the layers and sunset effect, while the shaken version is smoother and more integrated.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

For the classic built version:

1. Fill your glass with ice.
Use a tall glass—either a highball or hurricane—and fill it to the top with fresh ice.

2. Add vodka and peach schnapps.
Pour 1½ oz vodka and ½ oz peach schnapps over the ice.

3. Pour the orange juice.
Top with 2 oz orange juice and give a light stir to blend.

4. Add cranberry juice last.
Slowly pour 2 oz cranberry juice over the back of a spoon to let it float down and create a layered “sunset” effect.

5. Garnish and serve.
Add an orange slice and a maraschino cherry. Serve with a straw or sip it as-is.

For a shaken version:

• Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
• Shake for 10–15 seconds and strain into a glass filled with ice.
• Garnish and serve.

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Flavor Profile and Tasting Notes

Sex on the Beach is a light-bodied, fruit-forward cocktail that opens with peach and citrus and finishes with a slightly tart cranberry tang. It’s sweet but not syrupy, making it easy to drink and even easier to crave another.

The vodka keeps things smooth and neutral, allowing the flavors of the juice and schnapps to shine. As the ice melts, the drink softens and becomes more mellow, making it perfect for slow sipping.

Great with:

• Brunch dishes like fruit salad, Belgian waffles, or bacon and eggs
• Spicy bites like buffalo wings or jalapeño poppers
• Poolside snacks like chips and guacamole or shrimp cocktail
• Light desserts like sorbet, citrus tarts, or panna cotta

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Garnishing and Presentation

This cocktail is all about vibrancy and fun, so make your presentation just as lively.

Garnish ideas:

• Orange slice or wheel on the rim
• Maraschino cherry dropped into the drink
• Skewered fruit garnish with pineapple, cherry, and orange
• A paper umbrella or cocktail stirrer for a tropical flair

To highlight the sunset gradient, use a clear hurricane or highball glass. Slowly pouring the cranberry juice last allows it to settle at the bottom, creating that iconic layered look.

For parties, serve in punch bowls or pitchers with fruit slices and crushed ice.

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Pairing Suggestions

Sex on the Beach pairs well with foods that echo its tropical and fruity character.

Savory pairings:

• Coconut shrimp or fried calamari
• Grilled chicken skewers with mango salsa
• Nachos with fruit-based salsas
• Thai spring rolls or fresh sushi rolls

Sweet pairings:

• Fruit skewers or melon salad
• Orange and almond cake
• Berry cheesecake
• Lemon bars or lime cookies

For summer gatherings or themed events, serve alongside a spread of tropical small plates and let the color palette of the drink inspire your menu.

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Cocktail History and Trivia

The Sex on the Beach cocktail is believed to have originated in Florida during the 1980s, during the rise of fruity, easy-to-drink vodka cocktails and the U.S. marketing boom for peach schnapps.

According to one story, a liquor distributor challenged bartenders to create a drink featuring peach schnapps, promising a cash bonus for every bottle sold. One bartender, reportedly at Confetti’s Bar in Fort Lauderdale, mixed vodka, peach schnapps, orange, and cranberry juice and gave it a name that was sure to stick. When asked why he named it that, he allegedly said, “Because that’s what people come to Florida for—sex and the beach.”

Whether apocryphal or not, the name helped fuel its popularity, and by the late ’80s, the cocktail was everywhere—from TGI Friday’s menus to spring break bars.

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Serving Suggestions

Sex on the Beach is best served:

• At beach parties or poolside gatherings
• For brunch, especially with fruity fare
• As a welcome cocktail at summer weddings or casual events
• At bachelorette parties or birthdays, where the name alone gets a smile

For large groups, make it in pitchers using equal parts cranberry and orange juice, and about 1 part vodka to ½ part peach schnapps. Serve over ice and garnish each glass individually.

It’s refreshing, photogenic, and friendly to all kinds of drinkers—especially those new to cocktails.

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Alcohol Content and Alternatives

The average Sex on the Beach cocktail has 12–14% ABV, depending on the vodka strength and juice proportions. The sweetness makes it easy to underestimate, so pace yourself if you’re planning on a second.

To lighten the drink:

• Use just 1 oz vodka
• Add a splash of soda water or sparkling wine
• Use more orange juice for a longer drink

Mocktail version:

• 2 oz orange juice
• 2 oz cranberry juice
• ½ oz peach nectar or syrup
• Top with soda water for fizz
  Garnish the same way and serve over ice.

Popular variations:

• Woo Woo: vodka, peach schnapps, and cranberry juice (no OJ)
• Fuzzy Navel: peach schnapps and orange juice
• Tequila Sunrise meets Sex on the Beach: add a float of grenadine for extra sweetness and a deeper red hue

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it too sweet?
It’s sweet, but not overwhelmingly so. Adjust the balance by adding more cranberry juice or reducing the peach schnapps.

Can I batch this cocktail?
Yes! It’s great in pitchers. Just mix and chill the ingredients ahead, and pour over fresh ice.

Is the name appropriate for all occasions?
That depends on your crowd! For more formal events, feel free to call it a “Peach-Cranberry Breeze” or “Sunset Punch.”

What if I don’t have peach schnapps?
You can substitute with apricot liqueur, peach nectar, or even flavored vodka—but the classic calls for schnapps.

Can I use bottled orange juice?
Yes, but choose a 100% juice variety with no added sugar. Fresh juice will always taste brighter and cleaner.

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Conclusion

The Sex on the Beach is more than just a cheeky name—it’s a fruity, refreshing crowd-pleaser with a nostalgic twist and endless good vibes. Whether you’re serving it to impress guests or just want to sip on something bright and easy, this cocktail hits all the right notes of flavor, color, and fun.