This Sex on the Beach Cocktail is exactly what it sounds like. Fun and flirty! It's made with orange and cranberry juice and spiked with vodka and peach schnapps. This fruity drink is just right for those hot days and nights.
I like to make this cocktail at home on Friday nights when it's time to wind down and relax on the deck. It's cool and refreshing with just the right amount of sweet and tart.
Quick Summary:
- Ready in 5 minutes and makes 2 drinks.
- Tips for making it sweeter, plus substitutions, a slushy version, and a non-alcoholic option.
- About 195 calories per drink.
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About that Name
Sex on the Beach sounds a little uncomfortable. But, I'm betting it was an attention grabber because of its name! This drink is usually served in a highball glass, but accommodate any way you need to (as you see I did in a few photos). They go down real smooth. Not as uncomfortable as the sandy beach might feel!
What I like best about this drink is you can adjust the sweetness to your own preferences. It is reminiscent of a vodka and cranberry with a little peach schnapps and orange juice added. And, in my opinion, it is best when shaken, not stirred!
Key Ingredients
- Vodka: I use Skyy vodka.
- Peach schnapps: I use DeKuyper Peachtree.
- Cranberry juice cocktail: Use cranberry juice cocktail instead of pure cranberry juice for a sweeter drink. I use Simply cranberry.
- Orange juice: Use a pulp-free orange juice for best results. I use Simply orange juice.
How to Make a Sex On The Beach Cocktail Recipe
Add the orange juice, cranberry juice, vodka, and peach schnapps to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake it up until frosty. No cocktail shaker? Add it all to a glass with ice and stir. Garnish with an orange slice, maraschino cherries, or both.
Substitutions
- Peach brandy: Use it in place of the peach schnapps. It may be a little less sweet.
- Rum or tequila: Use either in place of the vodka.
- Peach flavored vodka or rum: Another option in place of the vodka.
- Grapefruit juice: Use it in place of the orange juice for a more sour drink.
- Pineapple juice: Use it in place of the orange juice for a more tropical feel.
Variations
- Slushy drink: Pour the ingredients and ice in a blender and blend until the ice is crushed. Add more ice if needed to make the drink frostier.
Top Tip
- If it's not sweet enough add a splash of grenadine or maraschino cherry juice to each drink.
You May Be Wondering
Use peach nectar in place of the peach schnapps. Skip the vodka and increase the orange juice and cranberry juice to about 4½ ounces each.
🥃 More Drink Recipes
If you're looking for another drink to mix up, try one of these next:
Did you make this Sex on the Beach Cocktail recipe? I'd love to hear how it turned out. Leave a comment and rating below, and if you snap a photo, tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch so I can see it!
📖 Recipe
Sex on the Beach Cocktail
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Ingredients
- 3 ounces orange juice
- 3 ounces cranberry juice cocktail
- 3 ounces vodka
- 1½ ounces peach schnapps
- crushed ice
- maraschino cherries (optional) for garnish
- orange slices (optional) for garnish
Instructions
- Place some ice in a cocktail shaker. Add the orange juice, cranberry juice, vodka, and peach schnapps. Shake until frosty.
Jersey Girl Cooks says
You just reminded me that I haven't had one of these in years. After drinking a little too much peach schnapps once, I have stayed away from it. But I think it's time to go back. You make the drink look so pretty too.
Cyndy says
Another peach yummy! A little zing with your juice is a bad thing? NOPE, sand is tho......... Love peaches too and this would satisfy me...nuff said LOL
Grumpy and HoneyB says
LOL, OK, yeah, I have to admit, this was fun. Even Grumpy wanted to hear the comments. I have to say though that Mags, you crack me up and Donna and Amanda, I love you for calling me a hussy! lmao
Barbara Bakes says
LOL - I love yours and Donna's comment. The first thing I thought when I saw your title was this post should be on Donna's blog.
Di says
That really looks delicious! I think I need to buy some peach schnapps. =)
Steve says
The great thing about "Sex on the Beach" like this is you don't get sand in your bathing suit.
Mags says
You stinker you! I had a hand over one eye when I clicked on the post because, well, ya know, I didn't know what to expect! LMAO!
Great looking drink!
Anonymous says
The hubby and I have two drinks everyday. It sounds old fashioned but I greet him at the door with some sort of cocktail. We eat french style, though it is only a three to 4 ounce drink. We eat our meal with red wine every night and that too is just a small glass. We are happy parents of six kids so "sex on the beach" is not new to us. lol I love this drink. 🙂
Pam says
Nice... I haven't had one of these for a long, long time. It looks great.
Amanda says
You little hussy LMAO!! I love these drinks, so yummy, I'm jealous!
The Manly Housewife says
Wow I actually laugh out loud when reading this blog then laughed harder reading the comments. Thank you for a good morning laughs.
Could adjust the instructions to say ... Mix, stir, pour enjoy...Then Mix, stir, pour, enjoy... then Mix, stir, pour, enjoy again... 🙂
Carol says
That is one very pretty drink, Shelby-and I'm imagining a darned tasty one too. Perfect on a warm summer day....like today. Thank you, Shelby. 🙂
JillyAn says
thanks for the clarification that this was the DRINK. I was thinking...jeez, after that Grumpy is still Grumpy?? What's up with that????
Carol Egbert says
It looks pretty sexy, sitting there naked in the glass.
Donna-FFW says
How cute are you!
Grittiness adds friction, enough said without further elaboration.
I aim to make these this weekend, I'll let you know how they go.
And how on earth didja know I was raising my hand?
pegasuslegend says
wow I give you alot of credit having sex on the beach,,,and I love this rendition without sand! now as for being a lush, if you would like to start a non lush club for drinkers I'm in!
bellini valli says
It has been a while since I had a Sex on the Beach" Shelby. LOL