By Becky Hardin
Updated Oct 26, 2024
Sex on the Beach Cocktail is vibrant, fruity, and delicious! Only 4 ingredients are needed to whip up this classic vodka cocktail, great for summer BBQs!
What’s in Sex on the Beach?
With its fresh and fruity blend of vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry, and orange juice – Sex on the Beach will rock your world! A colorful cocktail that’s perfect to brighten up any party, it’s like a beach vacation in a glass.
- Vodka: Any brand works. No need to use your most expensive stuff– The fruity flavors will dominate this drink!
- Peach Schnapps: This is the fruity backbone of the drink that gives just the right buzz.
- Orange Juice: A citrus zing that brightens the beverage.
- Cranberry Juice: For the depth of flavor you crave! Feel free to use sweetened or unsweetened based on your personal preference.
Variations on this Recipe for Sex on the Beach
There are many variations on Sex on the Beach. You could swap the vodka for rum or tequila if you prefer. To balance the sweetness, feel free to add 1 ounce of pineapple juice, lemon juice, or grapefruit juice. To make the cocktail creamy, add 1 ounce of heavy cream. Or, to make this cocktail into a slushy, blend it with ice in a high-powered blender.
Sex on the beach is a fruity cocktail consisting of vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, and cranberry juice served over ice.
Sex on the beach got its name from a Florida bartender who created the drink in 1987 as part of a liquor distribution company’s promotion to sell peach schnapps. He named it after “sex” and “the beach”, which he considered as the two biggest attractions of Spring Break
Use your favorite brand of vodka in this recipe. The fruit flavors really shine here, so no need to reach for the most expensive bottle.
You can use any cranberry juice you like, although I do not recommend using pure unsweetened cranberry juice cocktail, as your drink may end up too tart.
Yes, you sure can! In fact, it even has its own name: cuddles on the beach! To make cuddles on the beach, omit the vodka and replace the peach schnapps with peach nectar. You can add lemon-lime soda or club soda in place of the vodka, if you wish.
Typical garnishes for sex on the beach include maraschino cherries and/or an orange wheel. I also like to include a cocktail umbrella!
How to Make Sex on the Beach Cocktails in Advance
Sex on the beach can be made ahead of time, especially if you plan to serve a pitcher of it. To make ahead, mix all of the ingredients together (no ice, though!) and place it in the refrigerator to stay chilled. It will stay fresh for up to 2 days in the refrigerator.
How to Store Sex on the Beach Cocktails
Store leftover sex on the beach cocktails covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Scaling Up
To make a pitcher (4 drinks) of sex on the beach, use:
- 8 ounces of vodka
- 4 ounces of peach schnapps
- 8 ounces of orange juice
- 6 ounces of cranberry juice
What to Serve with a Sex on the Beach Drink
Sex on the Beach is a real treat, so why not whip up a snack to go with it, like avocado corn salsa , herb marinated mozzarella , everything bagel cheese ball , or crockpot little smokies ?!
Whether you’re rustling these up for a party, or just as a treat on the back porch, you’ll love this refreshing and fruity cocktail!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 ounces vodka
- ▢ 1 ounce peach schnapps
- ▢ 2 ounces orange juice
- ▢ 1½ ounces cranberry juice
Video
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake well. 2 ounces vodka, 1 ounce peach schnapps, 2 ounces orange juice, 1½ ounces cranberry juice
- Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with an orange wedge, cherries, and a cocktail umbrella.
Becky’s Tips
- Use whatever brand of vodka you like, but don’t use your most expensive stuff. The fruit flavors here definitely overtake any alcohol flavor.
- Use any cranberry juice you like, but I don’t recommend pure unsweetened cranberry juice cocktail, as it may be too bitter.
- To make a pitcher (4 drinks) of sex on the beach, use 8 ounces of vodka, 4 ounces of peach schnapps, 8 ounces of orange juice, and 6 ounces of cranberry juice.
- Use rum or tequila instead of vodka.
- Add 1 ounce of pineapple juice, lemon juice, or grapefruit juice to balance the sweetness.
- Add 1 ounce of heavy cream to make it creamy.
- Blend with ice to make a slushy.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Summer Cocktails We Love
- Strawberry Lemonade Party Punch
- Blue Hawaiian Cocktail
- Frozen Strawberry Margarita
- Blackberry Paloma
- Peach Frosé Recipe (Frozen Rosé)
- Raspberry Sorbet Pink Champagne Floats
- Caramel Apple Sangria
- See all of our Cocktail Recipes !
Sex on the Beach Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce peach schnapps
- 2 ounces orange juice
- 1½ ounces cranberry juice
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake well. 2 ounces vodka, 1 ounce peach schnapps, 2 ounces orange juice, 1½ ounces cranberry juice
- Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with an orange wedge, cherries, and a cocktail umbrella.
Video
Notes
- Use whatever brand of vodka you like, but don’t use your most expensive stuff. The fruit flavors here definitely overtake any alcohol flavor.
- Use any cranberry juice you like, but I don’t recommend pure unsweetened cranberry juice cocktail, as it may be too bitter.
- To make a pitcher (4 drinks) of sex on the beach, use 8 ounces of vodka, 4 ounces of peach schnapps, 8 ounces of orange juice, and 6 ounces of cranberry juice.
- Use rum or tequila instead of vodka.
- Add 1 ounce of pineapple juice, lemon juice, or grapefruit juice to balance the sweetness.
- Add 1 ounce of heavy cream to make it creamy.
- Blend with ice to make a slushy.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
