Thanks to its intriguing name, bright color and soft fruity taste that does not feel alcohol, the Sex on the beach cocktail has become one of the most ordered cocktails in the West in the 20 years since its inception and is rapidly gaining popularity in Russia. Another advantage of the drink is the ease of preparation at home, even a shaker is not needed.
Historical reference. The first versions of the cocktail with vodka, orange and cranberry juice appeared in the 70-90s of the XX century. The bartenders experimented with the ingredients, adding grenadine, melon and blackcurrant liqueurs to the mix. At first, the drink was called “Sand in your shorts”, which means “Sand in your shorts” in Russian, then more temptingly “Fun on the Beach (Fun on the beach)”. As the ban on the use of the word “sex” in public places eased, a more provocative name emerged.
According to one version, the modern recipe for the Sex on the Beach cocktail was created by Florida bartender Ted Pizio in 1987. The drink was conceived as part of an advertising campaign to promote a new peach schnapps to the US market, 10 years later the advertised brand was forgotten, but the cocktail received worldwide recognition and is now included in the IBA (International Bartenders Association) codification in the “modern classics” section.
The popularization of the drink was facilitated by the series “Santa Barbara” (2040 episodes in total), the characters of which preferred to drink this particular cocktail.
Composition and proportions:
- vodka – 40 ml;
- peach schnapps or liquor – 20 ml;
- orange juice – 40 ml;
- cranberry juice (mors) – 40 ml.
The original recipe uses 30% schnapps, but at home this ingredient is usually replaced with a more affordable peach liqueur, there will be no difference in taste.
To prepare a non-alcoholic version, it is enough to exclude vodka from the composition, and replace the schnapps with peach juice and add a couple of drops of grenadine.
Classic Sex on the Beach Cocktail Recipe
1. Fill a tall glass (highball) with ice.
2. Pour in vodka, peach liqueur, cranberry juice and orange juice in the order indicated.
3. Stir. Garnish with an orange slice.
4. Drink through a straw.
Many bartenders suggest mixing cocktail ingredients in a shaker, but in this case the density of the components is almost the same, so the usual mixing in a glass is enough, as recommended by the International Bartenders Association.
