Sex on the Beach Cocktail Recipe Ingredients

Sex on the Beach

What is a simple, pleasing, fruity cocktail? The Sex on the Beach fits that description. This is a simple, but effective, cocktail that seems to please the masses. This drink has many variations, but for the most part, the variations are related and use similar ingredients in the recipe. When properly made, the Sex on the Beach is a decent drink (i.e. way better than a Screwdriver), and few bartenders actually screw it up, so it is generally consistent from bar to bar. Also, when the bachelorette party bus unloads in front of your bar, whipping up a dozen Sex on the Beaches is an easy task.

The Sex on the Beach cocktail isn’t a classic drink but it has good marketing. Sex sells, and even though almost every new cocktail, created by some inept bartender, is labeled with sexual innuendo, the name Sex on the Beach is subtle but obvious. Even church going old ladies are not offended by the name. It’s whimsical.

Behind the bar, this is one drink that never ever bothered me to make, even a dozen at a time. It is very simple to make and the customers always seemed happy with their choice. The main amusement for me came when girls order a Sex on the Beach for the first time. For some reason, people think the word “sex” is forbidden, or something and they say it quietly under their breath. Then they turn bright red when I repeat their order back to them really loudly. The non-amusing part is when a 50-year-old cougar orders a Sex on the Beach, and stares at you while licking its lips. As a bartender, you take the good with the bad.

Yield: 1 Drink

Sex on the Beach Recipe

Sex on the Beach Recipe
An 1980s classic highball that combines sweet fruity flavours with a whimsical name.
Prep Time 1 minute
Total Time 1 minute


  • 1.5 oz Vodka
  • 0.5 oz Peach Schnapps
  • 2 oz Cranberry Juice
  • 2 oz Pineapple Juice
  • 0.25 oz Chambord


  1. In a cocktail shaker with ice add all of the ingredients, except the Chambord
  2. Shake until chilled and stain into a glass.
  3. Pour the Chambord down the middle of the glass so it settles to the bottom.
  4. Stir gently with a bar spoon to get a layering effect on the bottom
  5. Add ice to top up the drink as needed.


Because Chambord is expensive, most bars substitute a lower quality raspberry liqueur or more often use grenadine. It isn't detrimental as this is simply an easy drinking cocktail.

Nutrition Information:

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 212 Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 0mg Fiber: 0g
That is the classic Sex on the Beach recipe, but in many bars around the world, you will find a few substitutions and some recipe trimming. First, most bars skip the Chambord because it is relatively expensive and substitute grenadine. Secondly, you will find that orange juice is often substituted for the pineapple juice. Why? Because most high volume bars have OJ on the gun but not pineapple juice, so for the sake of speed they sub in the OJ. Other than that, you will possibly find other additions like Midori, or possibly Malibu coconut rum.

My general advice is to stick with the original. If using Chambord makes your manager turn red and scream because of the price, try using something like Bols Raspberry liqueur. In this drink, it is close enough and it will give your cocktail a little more flavour.

If you want to try something different, but similar to the Sex on the Beach, try a Planter’s Punch or maybe a Pimm’s Cup.