Noah Vinter
Sex on the Beach is a cocktail made with vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, and cranberry juice. The drink first rose to popularity in the 1980s, and while it has since fallen out of favour, it remains a popular order at beach bars, tropical dives, and vacation spots. The exact origin of the drink is unconfirmed, but popular lore suggests that it was created by a Florida bartender in 1987 as part of a promotion to sell peach schnapps. The drink is known for its attention-grabbing name and its fruity, sweet flavour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main Ingredients | Vodka, Peach Schnapps, Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice |
| Other Ingredients | Crème de cassis, Chambord, Midori Melon Liqueur, Pineapple Juice, Black Cherry Rum |
| Variations | "Sex in the driveway" (made with blue curaçao and Sprite instead of orange and cranberry juice), "Woo woo" (made without orange juice) |
| Alcohol-free Variations | "Safe sex on the beach", "Cuddles on the beach", "Virgins on the beach" |
| Glassware | Highball glass, Shot glass, Martini glass |
| Garnish | Orange slice, Orange wedge, Maraschino cherries |
| Preparation | Built over ice, Shaken, Stirred |
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Vodka as a base
Vodka is a key ingredient in the Sex on the Beach cocktail, which rose to popularity in the 1980s. It is a refreshing, fruity cocktail with a memorable name. Vodka acts as a neutral base, allowing the other ingredients to take centre stage. It is recommended to use a decent quality, plain vodka, although fruit-infused flavoured vodka can also be used.
The cocktail's other ingredients include peach schnapps, orange juice, and cranberry juice. The peach schnapps lend sweetness and an intense peach flavour and aroma. Fresh orange juice is key to making the best Sex on the Beach, providing acidity to balance the sweetness of the schnapps. Cranberry juice adds a tart note, creating a counterweight to the sweetness of the schnapps and bringing balance to the drink.
The drink is typically built over ice in a highball glass and garnished with an orange slice or wedge. It can also be served as a shot or in a martini glass. The Sex on the Beach cocktail is considered a mashup of a Fuzzy Navel (peach schnapps and orange juice) and a Cape Codder (vodka and cranberry juice).
While the exact origin of the drink is unconfirmed, it is believed to have been created by a Florida bartender in 1987 as part of a promotion to sell peach schnapps. However, the drink was included in the 1982 American Bartenders School Guide to Drinks, so its origins may go back further.
There are also variations of the Sex on the Beach recipe. One alternative recipe includes vodka, Chambord, Midori Melon Liqueur, pineapple juice, and cranberry juice. Another variation replaces the orange juice and cranberry juice with blue curaçao and Sprite, creating a "sex in the driveway". A "woo woo" is another variation, which is a Sex on the Beach without orange juice.
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Peach schnapps
In the United States, peach schnapps is famous for being used in the "Fuzzy Navel", a cocktail made with orange juice. It is also used in cocktails like Bellinis and Georgia Peach. The liqueur is known for its versatility, being used in sour drinks to add a touch of sweetness or in shooters.
The most well-known cocktail with peach schnapps is the "Sex on the Beach", which became popular in the 1980s. The drink includes vodka, orange juice, and cranberry juice. The peach schnapps add a candy-like sweetness to the cocktail, which is built over ice in a highball glass and garnished with an orange slice.
The original Sex on the Beach recipe generally used DeKuyper, a brand of peach schnapps first released in 1984. This particular schnapps has a classically sweet peach flavour. However, there are now many other varieties of peach schnapps available, including peach brandies and liqueurs, which can be used to tailor the sweetness of the cocktail. For instance, Drillaud Creme de Peach offers a more complex peach profile, while Catoctin Creek Short Hill Mountain Peach Brandy provides a drier cocktail option.
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Orange juice
Fresh orange juice is a key ingredient in the classic Sex on the Beach cocktail. It provides the acidity necessary to balance the sweetness of the peach schnapps. The drink, which rose to popularity in the 1980s, is a combination of vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, cranberry juice, and, in some recipes, crème de cassis. It is typically served over ice in a highball glass and garnished with an orange slice.
The exact origin of the Sex on the Beach cocktail is unclear, but it is believed to have been created by a Florida bartender in 1987 as part of a promotion to sell peach schnapps. However, the drink was included in the 1982 American Bartenders School Guide to Drinks, suggesting it may have been invented earlier.
While the classic recipe calls for orange juice, some variations of the cocktail substitute pineapple juice or another type of fruit juice. The amount of orange juice used can also vary depending on the bartender's preference and the desired sweetness of the drink.
Some recipes recommend stirring the vodka, schnapps, and orange juice together in the glass before gently pouring the cranberry juice over the mixture. This creates a colour gradient that gives the drink extra eye appeal. The drink can also be shaken, but stirring it directly in the glass yields several improvements. It leaves the fruit juices more vibrant, preserves clarity, minimises dilution, and is quicker and simpler.
The Sex on the Beach cocktail is known for its provocative name and fruity, sweet flavour. It is often considered a mashup of two other cocktails: the Fuzzy Navel (peach schnapps and orange juice) and the Cape Codder (vodka and cranberry juice). While the drink's popularity has waned since its heyday in the 1980s and 1990s, it remains a staple at beach bars, tropical dives, and vacation haunts.
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Cranberry juice
The cranberry juice also contributes to the vibrant colour of the cocktail, creating a visually appealing gradient when stirred directly in the glass. This method of preparation is preferred by some, as it yields a brighter colour and preserves the clarity of the drink, while also being quicker and simpler.
While the exact origin of the Sex on the Beach cocktail is uncertain, it is believed to have been created by a Florida bartender in 1987 as part of a promotion to sell peach schnapps. However, the drink was included in the 1982 American Bartenders School Guide to Drinks, suggesting it may have been invented earlier.
The cranberry juice in the Sex on the Beach cocktail can be substituted or complemented with other juices or liqueurs in different variations of the drink. Some recipes replace cranberry juice with pineapple juice, blue curaçao, or Sprite, creating unique flavour profiles. Additionally, the alcohol-free variation of this cocktail is known as "safe sex on the beach", "cuddles on the beach", or "virgin(s) on the beach".
Overall, the cranberry juice in the Sex on the Beach cocktail contributes to both the flavour and visual appeal of the drink, making it a key component in creating a well-balanced and eye-catching cocktail.
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Variations and substitutes
The classic Sex on the Beach cocktail is made with vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, and cranberry juice. However, there are several variations and substitutes that you can explore to customise the drink to your taste.
One variation includes a splash of Chambord instead of cranberry juice, creating a fancier version of the cocktail. Another substitute for cranberry juice is pineapple juice, resulting in a "Sex in the Driveway" variation. This variation is also known as a "Woo Woo" when omitting orange juice from the original recipe. Additionally, you can experiment with different types of vodka and peach schnapps to find your preferred flavour profile. For example, using a good-quality plain vodka as the base spirit allows the fresh fruit juices to shine, while fruit-infused flavoured vodka can also work well. Regarding peach schnapps, the original Sex on the Beach cocktail typically used DeKuyper, but you can explore other options like Drillaud Creme de Peach or Montbisou Peche for a broader range of peach brandies and liqueurs.
If you're looking for a drier cocktail, consider swapping the peach schnapps for a peach brandy, such as Catoctin Creek Short Hill Mountain Peach Brandy. You can also get creative and experiment with entirely different ingredients, as suggested by a veteran bartender who made the drink with melon liqueur, black cherry rum, and pineapple juice.
For a non-alcoholic variation, you can opt for a "Safe Sex on the Beach", "Cuddles on the Beach", or "Virgins on the Beach". These alcohol-free alternatives allow you to enjoy the tropical flavours of the cocktail without the alcohol content.
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Frequently asked questions
A sex on the beach cocktail typically contains vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, and cranberry juice.
The exact origin of the cocktail is unclear, but it rose to popularity in the 1980s. One theory suggests that it was created by a Florida bartender in 1987 as part of a promotion to sell peach schnapps. However, the drink was mentioned in the 1982 American Bartenders School Guide to Drinks.
Yes, some variations include substituting pineapple juice for orange juice, or using black cherry rum, melon liqueur, and other ingredients. The drink can also be made without alcohol, known as "safe sex on the beach", "cuddles on the beach", or "virgins on the beach".
