The History of the Sex on the Beach Cocktail

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Ask any professional bartender for a Sex on the Beach cocktail and you will likely be met with a slightly disdainful look - it is hardly a drink for the more discerning of cocktail enthusiasts. However, you are unlikely to come across a more refreshing and relaxed beverage.

TL;DR

• A Fruity Favorite: The Sex on the Beach cocktail, with its mix of vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry, and orange juice, is known for its refreshing taste and playful name.
• Origins and Variations: Created in the 1980s in Florida, the cocktail has many variations, like the “Woo Woo” and “Sex on Fire.”
• Pop Culture Presence: Popularized in shows like "Sex and the City" and "Friends," it remains a symbol of fun, flirtation, and beachside relaxation.

A Tropical Classic with a Playful Name

The Sex on the Beach cocktail is more than just a drink—it's an invitation to relax, let loose, and enjoy a taste of summer, no matter the season. With its vibrant blend of fruity flavors and a name that's hard to forget, this cocktail has become synonymous with beachside fun and carefree afternoons. Its playful moniker might raise eyebrows, but it also sparks curiosity and conversation, making it a favorite choice for those looking to break the ice at parties or social gatherings.

A mix of vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry juice, and orange juice, the Sex on the Beach captures the essence of a tropical paradise in a glass. The combination of sweet and tart flavors mirrors the refreshing feeling of a beach breeze, while the bright colors evoke images of sunrises and sunsets over the ocean. Despite its somewhat cheeky name, the cocktail has a universal appeal that transcends generations and remains a staple on bar menus around the world.

But where did this audacious name come from, and how did the cocktail rise to such fame? To understand its place in cocktail history, we need to delve into its origins and the cultural trends that fueled its popularity.

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Sex on the Beach

Recipe card

4.81 / 5

Highball glass

Microbadges

IBA Official Drink

Cocktail Of The Day

Invented

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(1987)

Base ingredient

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Vodka

Calories

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156 calories

Garnish

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Orange

Alcohol content

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13.57% | 1.9 units of alcohol ^*

Details

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Easy

Classic

Stirred

A well known classic with sunny holiday views. It has made the IBA official cocktail list with a few variations, but here is the classic original.

Ingredients

Vodka

Peach Schnapps

Orange juice

Cranberry Juice

Method

How to make a Sex on the Beach

Serves 1 · Takes 3 minutes

Build all ingredients in a highball glass with ice and stir

Add an orange slice to garnish and serve

~ This classic is often served with a drizzle of grenadine down the sides to create that sunset look. ~

Makers mode

View the full recipe

Who Invented the Sex on the Beach Cocktail?

This fairly simple concoction has a few tales behind it. Some attribute this drink, and its name, to a bartender at Confetti's Bar in Florida. Ted Pizio was challenged to sell the most peach schnapps in the area as part of the promotion for the new spirit. He created the fruity cocktail and decided to name it after the reasons why he thought tourists visited the area. Back in 1987, he decided that sex and beaches were more popular than Mickey Mouse, thinking of the spring-breakers who would be the target market for the drink, and so the name was born.

Despite this quite believable story, historians have found examples of this cocktail in recipe books as far back as 1982. The idea is that it was created by combining a Fuzzy Navel and a Cape Codder.

Regardless of how the drink came to be, it was quickly picked up by TGI Friday's which had a great reputation for cocktails at the time. This helped to raise awareness of the drink, creating its cult classic status that it enjoys today.

Variations of Sex on the Beach

The original drink was made using peach schnapps, vodka, orange juice and grenadine. However, it is much more common to see bars serving it with cranberry juice, to replace the grenadine. This cocktail has been reworked many times, with the Woo Woo possibly being the most popular derivative, simply omitting the orange juice.

Other drinks include the Sex on Fire, which uses Fireball cinnamon whiskey, instead of vodka, and Sex on the Driveway, which uses blue curacao and sprite in place of fruit juices, giving it a very bright blue colour.

Pop Culture and the Sex on the Beach Cocktail

The Sex on the Beach cocktail isn't just a staple in bars—it's also a pop culture phenomenon. Its catchy name, colorful appearance, and carefree vibe have made it a popular choice in movies, TV shows, and music, symbolizing fun, flirtation, and the spirit of a good time.

Sex on the Beach is very much a drink attributed to the 80s and is not as popular in modern bars as it once was. However, a fairly recent song, Cake by the Ocean, was created after the name of the drink got lost in translation with the Swedish producers working with the band DNCE. Could this be the contemporary influence needed to see a reprisal of our tackiest favourite cocktail.

This cocktail has appeared in several TV shows that capture the essence of leisure and social gatherings. In the hit series "Sex and the City," the drink is often mentioned alongside other iconic cocktails, embodying the playful and sometimes risqué tone of the show's characters as they navigate love and life in New York City. In "Friends," a show famous for its coffee house gatherings and occasional bar scenes, the Sex on the Beach cocktail makes a cameo as part of the group’s night-out moments, adding a splash of fun to their dynamic.

In films, the cocktail often appears in scenes that emphasize carefree beachside settings or party atmospheres. In the comedy "Cruel Intentions," it is humorously ordered by a character who embodies a rebellious and flirtatious personality, perfectly fitting the drink's playful name. In "The Real Housewives" franchise, a reality TV series known for its glamorous and often dramatic lifestyle moments, the drink makes frequent appearances during poolside gatherings and themed parties, further cementing its reputation as a go-to for social occasions.

The cocktail's popularity extends into music and music videos, where it often represents youthful exuberance and the pursuit of fun. It has been name-dropped in songs that celebrate beach parties, endless summers, and carefree nights, reinforcing its status as a drink synonymous with enjoyment and escapism.

From reality TV to sitcoms, the Sex on the Beach cocktail has become a recognizable symbol of relaxation and indulgence. Its ongoing presence in pop culture, whether in scripted moments or real-life reality TV, highlights its lasting appeal and ensures that it remains a beloved choice for those seeking a taste of paradise in their glass.