How to make sex on the beach cocktail

Sex on the Beach needs no introduction: it’s the cocktail you hammer on your all-inclusive holiday, it’s the tropical sensation you nurse at the beer garden. It’s an 80s staple that, like us, only gets better with age.

If you’re dying for the fruity taste of this bar classic cocktail, here’s how to make it yourself. Or, if you’re feeling lazy, rock on down to Salt Dog Slims and let our mixologists take over. You know you want to.

Why is it called sex on the beach?

Before we learn how to make a sex on the beach cocktail, first, we want to know: how did it get its saucy name?

Sex on the Beach is the brainchild of Florida bartender Ted Pizio. The story goes that, in 1987, Ted wanted to craft an original cocktail that embodied the spirit of Florida. And what did tourists visit the area for? Sex and the white sand beaches!

The story isn’t confirmed, but we have to admit, it makes a lot of sense. There are even some who trace the drink back to five years earlier, when an unknown bartender combined two popular cocktails: the Cape Codder and Fuzzy Navel.

Although we’ll never know for sure, Sex on the Beach has stayed a staple on classic cocktail menus for over four decades.

What is a sex on the beach drink made of?

Sex on the beach usually involves the following ingredients:

Ingredients

  • 50ml vodka
  • 25ml peach schnapps
  • 2 juices oranges
  • 50ml cranberry juice
  • ice cubes (optional)
  • glacé cherries (optional garnish)
  • orange slice (optional garnish)

How to make a sex on the beach cocktail

1. Keep things cool

Start things off by chilling the glass with ice: this will keep the cocktail cooler for longer.

2. Add alcohol

Pour in two shots of 25ml vodka (or one shot in a 50ml shot glass), followed by a single 25ml shot of peach schnapps.

3. Add mixers

Pour in the juice of two freshly squeezed oranges (or top it up with some store-bought cartons of OJ: it all tastes the same).

4. Stir

Use a stirrer or a long spoon to mix the ingredients until combined.

5. Garnish and serve

Are you feeling fancy (or trying to impress your party guests?) Garnish with an orange slice or some glacé cherries. Serve immediately: the crowd goes wild!

Can I make this in a pitcher?

Too right, you can.

Sex on the Beach pitchers are a party crowd-pleaser, so if you’re looking to impress, all you have to do is scale up the ingredients based on the number of servings. Mix in a pitcher (add ice to each glass once poured, not to the pitcher itself: doing this will dilute the cocktail).

Sex on the beach garnishes

Sometimes, it’s the finishing touches that really elevate a cocktail.

Take it that one step further by buying an extra orange and cutting it up into slices. Make a small cut in the slice itself, just big enough so that it sits on the rim of your glass. Or, drop a couple of glacé cherries into the mix. Now, you have a drink and a meal!

Try a cocktail at Salt Dog Slims Liverpool and Manchester locations!

Knowing how to make a Sex on the Beach cocktail and making a good one are two entirely different things.

So, take the plunge with our step-by-step guide! Or, come to Salt Dog’s and let our expert mixologists impress you. We’ve got locations in Liverpool and Manchester, with crazy quiz nights, banging tunes and a boss atmosphere waiting for you to arrive.

Do weekend’s the right way with Salt Dog Slims.

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