NOW EXPERIENCING:Sex on the Beach cocktail recipe
Cocktails|Summer|Vegetarian|Fruity

Sex on the Beach cocktail recipe

total time 4 MINS | serves 1 | standard drinks per serve 1.6 approx.

Read time 4 Mins

Posted 08 Sep 2023

By
Dan’s Daily


A colourful Sex on the Beach cocktail with fruit garnish and a cocktail umbrella

This fresh and fruity holiday classic remains an Australian summer essential. 

About the cocktail

If you had to guess where the outrageously named Sex on the Beach cocktail was created, odds are you’d get it in one. Yep, this cocktail was birthed in Florida in the US.

The drink was designed by Ted Pizo from Confetti Bar in Fort Lauderdale for a peach schnapps competition, and sold enormously well across Florida. But what about the most outrageous part of the drink? That name? Well, according to Ted, it was just a way to sell cocktails to a bunch of spring-breakers. And by Jove, did it work! Not only did its popularity stretch across the US, but it also crossed borders. Today, you can find this drink everywhere.

Fruity, pretty and sweet, the Sex on the Beach cocktail was an ’80s hit. So much so, it featured in Tom Cruise’s cult classic 1988 film  Cocktail (if you haven’t seen it, check it out, although beware – not all of it has aged so well).

Sure, Sex on the Beach has a big summer vibe, but this drink goes down a treat anywhere, any time. And it’s hard not to get excited by some OTT garnishes, including that retro cocktail umbrella.  

Watch: How to make a Sex on the Beach cocktail

Sex on the Beach cocktail ingredients

  • 60mL orange juice
  • 60mL cranberry juice
  • 15mL peach schnapps
  • 45mL vodka
  • Garnish: orange wedge, maraschino cherry and umbrella

Method

  1. Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker 
  2. Add ice, and shake until the mix is chilled and diluted 
  3. Strain into a tall glass and fill with ice
  4. Garnish with a cherry and orange slice skewered onto the stem of a cocktail umbrella

Dan’s top tips

The Sex on the Beach cocktail is another fun, easy-going drink that can be changed to suit your taste. For example, if you like juice, add more orange. Want that peach schnapps to shine through? Go for it. 

Just know that this cocktail can be very sweet for some people, so choose your juices wisely, and maybe even play with a little fresh lime or lemon for a zippy addition.   

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. How do you get the layered sunset look in the glass?
Our recipe shakes all ingredients together in a cocktail tin, so it won’t produce a layered effect. To do that, mix the vodka and schnapps together in the glass over ice, and then add the orange juice and carefully add the cranberry juice on top, pouring it over a spoon. We have a guide to layering cocktails that might be helpful.       

2. Can I make a non-alcoholic version of this recipe?
Absolutely. Simply leave out the vodka and schnapps, or replace them with non-alcoholic versions, and you get a fresh, fruity alcohol-free version. 

3. Can I get everything for this recipe delivered today from Dan Murphy's?
If you live in a metro area and the drinks are stocked in your local Dan’s, then you can expect same-day delivery. Another option is to order click and collect, which will also save you time.  Always look for the best My Dan’s offers when ordering your drinks.