Refined Sex On The Beach Cocktail Recipe

This elevated Sex on the Beach recipe is a classy version of the 1980s cocktail. With such a name, this drink is guaranteed to turn heads — and not always in a good way. The two-toned, often-fluorescent concoction was first developed by Florida bartender Ted Pizio, who just wanted his bar to win a $1,000 prize (via Vinepair). The money was being offered by the company behind peach schnapps, not a high-selling liqueur at the time.

Our friend Ted, who by all accounts was not a bad bartender, made a very drinkable cocktail by mixing vodka, peach schnapps, and both cranberry and orange juice. He gave it the tacky name because he assumed that most of his Florida clientele was interested in only two things: "sex" and "the beach". And if you're here, googling this recipe over 40 years later, it looks like Pizio was right. 

Here at Tasting Table, we want to go beyond the basic mix spring break college students drink from red Solo cups. In our elevated version of the Sex on the Beach cocktail, food blogger Ksenia Prints of international recipe blog At the Immigrant's Table turns to freshly squeezed orange juice and a hefty whiskey tumbler to give this delicious cocktail more flavor and a glam appearance, all topped with a homemade orange twist and two-toned maraschino cherries.

With this elevated Sex on the Beach recipe, the taboo cocktail could be a part of an elegant soiree and no one would dare bat an eye.

For this cocktail, you will need vodka, peach schnapps, an orange, cranberry juice, ice cubes, and two-toned maraschino cherries.

We wanted to go beyond store-bought orange juice and show you what a difference freshly squeezed orange juice can have on your drinks. Take one large orange and cut it in half widthwise. Cut off a slice (with the peel on), about 1-inch in thickness, and set it aside. Squeeze out the juice from the remaining orange. Measure out 2 ounces and set it aside.

In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine the vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, and cranberry juice. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds.

Strain the shaken cocktail through a cocktail strainer into a whiskey tumbler glass filled with fresh ice.

To make a fancy orange twist for the garnish, take the orange slice you set aside. Using a paring knife, remove the flesh and cut the peel into a strip. Then, working carefully to avoid cutting yourself, scrape the pith off the inside of the peel — aim to keep a thin, mostly orange ribbon of peel. Twist the peel around a straw and hold it together for 2 minutes so that it keeps its shape.

Garnish the cocktail with the orange twist and a couple of two-toned maraschino cherries. Serve this delicious drink to get the evening started. We bet your guests will be surprised to discover its true identity.