If a cocktail is to be called Sex on the Beach, the look and taste must be able to demand attention! Prepared with peach schnapps, orange juice, cranberry juice, and lemon juice, this drink is certainly fruity, refreshing, and made with summer in mind. Now, who wants one!?

In most cases, a Sex on the Beach Cocktail is served in a hurricane glass. I purchased four of them with full intentions of using them for summer drinks. Even though I have a million glasses already, I knew four more wouldn’t hurt. And, besides, if I didn’t use them for drinks, I could use them for parfait type desserts. Well, when all was said and done, the hurricane glasses sit empty still, because these mason jar type glasses won me over! And, they came with a shaker, a muddler and a jigger!

Because of the fact that this drink is served very cold and with lots of ice, I thought the option of a handle on the drinking glass would come in handy. And, it did! I made these just before we headed out to our deck to spark up the grill. It certainly made holding a cold drink easier while standing over open flame!

Sex on the Beach is a fruity vodka cocktail, and to be perfectly honest, after one sip, they’re almost impossible to resist! It has been a popular cocktail since the 1980s, so it’s no surprise that there are many variations of the recipe out there. This particular version seems to be the most common and the most uncomplicated.

WHAT’S WITH THE NAME?

In the words of the writers at Spruce Eats, “It is without fail that the true origins of many famous cocktails are a little hazy. This drink is no different and there are a few popular stories circulating. One of the more common accounts for this cocktail’s creation points to 1987 and the rise of peach schnapps. Reportedly, a liquor distributor held a contest in Fort Lauderdale to see which bartender could sell the most peach schnapps.

Ted Pizio, from the bar Confettis, won the $1000 prize thanks to his mix of vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, and grenadine. He gave it the name Sex on the Beach, because the beach was one of the main reasons to spend spring break in Florida.

While that is a great story, according to some bartenders who worked in the ’80s, this was not the drink’s first appearance. Some claim to have mixed the drink as early as 1981. There are also stories from that early that refer to the Chambord version under the name, Florida Sunset.

Since the origin is unclear, the true meaning behind the name is as well. However, it likely stems from a scenario similar to the spring break theory. The ’70s and ’80s were filled with tall, fruity, vodka-based drinks and many had the funky, sexy, and sometimes wacky names that get stuck in the minds of drinkers.”

HERE’S WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

Peach Schnapps – This is a type of water-clear, distilled spirit. It is made by fermenting fruit juice with a base. It adds a very peachy flavour and scent to mixed drinks. If you have ever opened a can of syrupy peaches and took a deep sniff, that sugary, peachy goodness is captured in a bottle of Peach Schnapps.
Vodka – Vodka is a clear, unaged spirit produced using any ingredient that has fermentable sugars such as rye, barley, or wheat. It can also be made with potatoes, grapes, or beets too. In its purest form, Vodka is colourless, odourless, and flavourless. But, there are many variations, most commonly vodkas infused with citrus or berries.
Orange Juice – Whenever you see a cocktail prepared with orange juice, you have two options. First, you can squeeze a few oranges at home to get the amount you need. Otherwise, you can buy orange juice from the store. If you buy it, buy the pulp-free type. And, if you squeeze oranges at home, strain the juice through some cheesecloth to get rid of the pulp.
Cranberry Juice – A purist will tell you to buy only pure, 100% cranberry juice. You can listen to them, or you can listen to me. I’ve made many recipes with cranberry juice, and I have substituted that juice many times with cranberry cocktail. Wanna know a secret? They both work the same way, and taste almost the same anyway. Bonus – the cocktail version is usually cheaper too!
Lemon Juice – Whenever you see a cocktail prepared with lemon juice, always assume that the juice is freshly squeezed. Under no circumstances is it okay to use anything you can buy from the store in a bottle!

HOW TO ASSEMBLE THE COCKTAIL

To make your own Sex on the Beach Cocktail at home, measure the peach schnapps, vodka, orange juice, cranberry juice, and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker. Add enough ice to cover the liquid. With the lid on, shake for at least 30 seconds to ensure that the mixture is quite cold.

Fill a highball glass, or a mason jar glass, like the one in the photos, half full of ice. Drain the cocktail into the glass over the fresh ice. Garnish with an orange twist. Serve immediately.

Now, if you’re really into super cold and summer drinks, I have another suggestion for you as well. In terms of an alcohol-based drink, you have to try my Downton Abbey’s Old Pal. And, if you need to have a few non-alcoholic drinks for some of your guests, I’ve got you covered! Everyone will love my Very Berry Virgin Mojito, just as they will my Red Currant Refresher!

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