Sex On The Beach Cocktail

A Sex On The Beach is a drink that rose to popularity in the 1980s, and it’s no wonder why—peachy, tart, and citrusy, it’s the perfect summer cocktail. Most well-known for its provocative name, this classic drink is also one of the best ways to bring tropical vibes to your warm weather celebrations. Though it’s fallen a bit out of vogue and has become harder to order out, our recipe will have you feeling like you’re on a beach in no time—right at home. Read on for everything you need to know on how to make this vodka cocktail:

Why is it called Sex On The Beach?
Besides its fruity, sweet flavor, it’s no secret that this cocktail is mainly known for its attention-grabbing name. Popular since the 1980s, the exact origin of this drink isn’t confirmed, but many think the name came about when a Florida bartender created this cocktail after looking for a way to promote peach schnapps. He aptly named his creation after what he considered to be the biggest attractions of spring break: “sex” and “the beach.”

How to make a Sex On The Beach cocktail:
The classic recipe for this cocktail calls for 4 ingredients: vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, and cranberry juice, all combined together; however, this cocktail can take on countless variations. We prefer to use plain vodka to let our fresh fruit juices shine through, but flavored, fruity vodkas would also work in this recipe. Some people prefer to swap out the orange juice for pineapple or another citrus-based juice, but keep it as is for the most classic version. When it comes to the orange juice, don't feel like you have to go fancy. Simply choose an orange juice that you enjoy drinking (we recommend pulp-free, but if you're a pulp fan, go for it!).

The garnish.
To complete our summer cocktail, we garnish it with an orange wedge and maraschino cherries. If you really want to take the tropical vibes over the top, feel free to top with little cocktail umbrellas to truly feel like you’re in paradise with every sip.

Made this? Let us know how it went in the comments below!

Editor's Note: This recipe was updated on January 20, 2023, with amendments to ingredient quantities.