Sex on the Beach: A Fruity Summer Cocktail Recipe

BY: Tom Malony

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updated 13 Mar 2024

IBA Cocktail

The Sex on the Beach is a cocktail that lives up to its provocative name. This radiant cration has been the mainstay of beach bars and summer parties for several decades now, ringing in with a rather loud statement: sometimes, nothing more than a cheeky name and a fruity flavor profile is needed for enduring popularity..

Sex on the Beach: A Fruity Summer Cocktail Recipe

This drink is also a symphony of fruity flavors and vivid colors. The really beautiful colors range from deep orange to bright red, depending on the ingredients used, of course-as perfect as any sunset. But don't be fooled by its pretty appearance; this cocktail packs a wallop.

Give this a sip, and there is beautiful balance in between the sweet and the sour. Vodka provides a neutral base to let the fruit flavors shine. A wonderfully sweet, aromatic note is thrown in by the Peach Schnapps. Cranberry Juice gives tartness and color, while Orange Juice lends natural sweetness and a shot of citrus brightness.

This is the absolute essence of a summer sipper, but there's no reason to limit the appeal of this concoction to just the summer months. This cocktail is sweet and fruity, making it a great choice for someone trying their first mixed drink.

Served in a highball glass over ice for best effect, the cocktail performs with slow sips, letting the flavors meld as the ice thaws down. It's perfect for beach parties, in between dips at the pool, or in fact, any other time when you want to conjure up carefree holiday feelings.

Recognized by the IBA as an 'official' cocktail, this drink has nonetheless cemented its place in popular culture and bar menus worldwide. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the universal appeal of fun, fruity, and easy-to-drink cocktails.

“

A refreshing fusion of tropical flavours that captures the essence of carefree beach days

”

Did you know that Sex on the Beach...

was reportedly created to promote peach schnapps and capitalize on the success of the 1988 Tom Cruise film 'Cocktail'?

Who invented this cocktail

This fruity cocktail was the creation in 1987 of Ted Pizio, bartender at Confetti's Bar in Florida. In fact, he made the cocktail in order to push sales of peach schnapps, a relatively new type of alcohol that was quite recently introduced into the market.

The origin and history of "Sex on the Beach"

It all started amidst the neon nightlife of the late 1980s. Ted Pizio was a bartender at Confetti's bar in Florida, with a bloated stock of peach schnapps he couldn't unload. What did he do? Invent a tasty, fruity cocktail that would appease the spring break masses.

Pizio originally called his concoction 'Fuzzy Navel on the Beach' because it included the extremely popular Fuzzy Navel made of peach schnapps and orange juice but with the added ingredients of vodka and grenadine. One morning, when a customer asked what it was, Pizio said 'Sex on the Beach' on the spur of the moment and the rest, so to speak, is history.

Interestingly, the cocktail had gained immense popularity because it was created at a time when the film 'Cocktail' featuring Tom Cruise was made, a film that depicted a lot of colorful, fruity drinks.

There have been several variations to this recipe over the years. Some call for Chambord or Crème de Cassis instead of the Grenadine, others add melon flavor by including Midori, but always Vodka, Peach Schnapps, and fruit juices.

The drink's provocative name has undoubtedly contributed to its enduring popularity, especially among younger drinkers and in tourist destinations. It embodies the fun, carefree spirit of beach vacations and has become a symbol of relaxation and indulgence in pop culture.

Today, this cocktail remains embedded in bar culture around the world, especially in coastal and seasonal holiday resorts. Their sensual, some fruity, and easy-to-imbibe characters have cemented them as a perpetual concept of fun, beach-time cocktail drinking.

Bartender Tips for making the perfect "Sex on the Beach"

To make the perfect version of Sex on the Beach, try these tips:

Use high-quality Vodka as it forms the base of the cocktail
Using Freshly squeezed Orange Juice will give that cleaner, fresher flavor
Adjust the level of sweetness by the amount of Cranberry Juice increased or decreased compared to juice from the Orange
Garnish with a slice of Orange and a Maraschino Cherry for visual appeal
Serve in a chilled glass to keep the drink as cool as possible for as long as possible

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"Sex on the Beach" Variations

Make a Woo Woo by omitting the Orange Juice for a slightly more tart flavour profile
Mix up a Virgin on the Beach by substituting the Vodka and Peach Schnapps with Peach Nectar
Make a Hawaiian Sex on the Beach by adding a splash of Coconut Rum
Replace the Peach Schnapps with Blue Curaçao to make it a Sex on the Driveway

This cocktail stands as a testament to the power of a catchy name and a crowd-pleasing flavour profile. Its fruity, refreshing taste and vibrant appearance continue to evoke the carefree spirit of beach holidays, ensuring its place in the pantheon of popular cocktails for years to come.

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Current Comments: 3

Lucas V.

30 Oct 2024

Vibrant and tasty. The combination of vodka and peach schnapps creates a delightful drink.

Olivia P.

23 Oct 2024

A bit too sweet for me, but the cranberry juice balances it out nicely.

Emma101

16 Oct 2024

Fruity and sweet. The peach schnapps really stands out in this mix.