How to Make a Sex on the Beach Pitcher for a Large Party

If you love the idea of serving a fruity cocktail at your next party, make a large batch of Sex on the Beach ! Since the delicious drink relies on a simple ratio of vodka, orange juice, cranberry juice, and peach schnapps, it's easy to fill a pitcher. Then, let your guests fill their glasses with ice and pour their own drinks. You could even set up a fruit-filled garnishing station or offer some flavor variations for guests! With the help of private chef and food educator Ollie George Cigliano, we’ve also included steps on how to make Sex on the Beach as a shot or classic cocktail .

Sex on the Beach Recipe Ingredients

1 ¹ ⁄ ₂ cups (350 ml) of vodka
1 ¹ ⁄ ₂ cups (350 ml) of orange juice
1 ¹ ⁄ ₂ cups (350 ml) of cranberry juice
¹ ⁄ ₂ cup (120 ml) of peach schnapps
Ice for serving
Sliced oranges or maraschino cherries for garnish

Makes 8 cocktails

Section 1 of 4:

Making a Pitcher of Sex on the Beach

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1
Chill a pitcher for at least 2 hours before making the cocktails. Get out a pitcher that holds at least 5 cups (1,200 ml) of liquid. Place it in the refrigerator at least 2 hours before you want to serve the cocktails. ^{[1]
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- Using a chilled pitcher keeps the cocktails cooler for longer.
- If you have space in the fridge or freezer, place the cocktail glasses in there to chill as well.
2
Pour all of the ingredients into the pitcher. Remove the pitcher from the fridge and pour in 1 ¹ ⁄ ₂ cups (350 ml) of vodka, 1 ¹ ⁄ ₂ cups (350 ml) of orange juice, 1 ¹ ⁄ ₂ cups (350 ml) of cranberry juice, and ¹ ⁄ ₂ cup (120 ml) of peach schnapps. Although the liquids may mix on their own, you can also stir them together, says Cigliano.
- Since you're using a lot of fruit juice, feel free to use inexpensive vodka for the drinks. Your guests probably won’t be able to tell the difference!
- For smoother cocktails, use pulp-free orange juice.
- To fill a larger pitcher, double the ingredients. You could also double the recipe if you plan on serving a few smaller pitchers.
- For a mocktail version of Sex on the Beach, just mix together these ingredients instead (and be sure to label which pitcher is which!):
  - 1 ¹ ⁄ ₂ cups (350 ml) of lemon-lime soda
  - 1 ¹ ⁄ ₂ cups (350 ml) of orange juice
  - 1 ¹ ⁄ ₂ cups (350 ml) of cranberry juice
  - ¹ ⁄ ₂ cup (120 ml) of peach nectar or juice
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3
Set out a large bucket of ice and 8 highball glasses. Fill an ice bucket and set it near the pitcher of Sex on the Beach. Then, set out up to 8 highball glasses (the listed ingredients make seven servings—but feel free to double or triple it if you have more guests!). Tell your guests to fill their glasses with ice before pouring the cocktail into it. ^{[2]
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- It's key to set the ice in a bucket instead of in the pitcher with the drinks. Otherwise, the melting cubes will dilute the cocktail and ruin its fruity flavor.
4
Set out garnishes (like cherries and sliced fruits) for your guests. Although orange slices and maraschino cherries are classic Sex on the Beach garnishes, according to Cigliano, you could put out a variety of sliced fruit. For example, let your guests choose from:
- Orange slices
- Thinly sliced pineapple
- Sliced star fruit
- Mango slices
- Lemon or lime twists
- Cigliano also recommends cocktail umbrellas for extra festivity!

Section 2 of 4:

Sex on the Beach Flavor Variations

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1
Swap out peach schnapps with a different fruit-flavored liquor. Peach not your thing? Try substituting the peach schnapps with a mix of ¹ ⁄ ₄ cup (59 ml) of melon liqueur AND ¹ ⁄ ₄ cup (59 ml) of Chambord for a fruitier drink. Or, try any one of these yummy substitutes: ^{[3]
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- Coconut rum liqueur
- Apple schnapps
- Cherry liqueur
- Blackberry schnapps
- Apricot brandy
2
Use pineapple juice instead of orange juice. To give your cocktails a slightly different flavor, use pineapple juice instead of the classic orange juice. Although you could try other fruit juices besides pineapple, the juice needs to be slightly acidic to balance out the sweetness of the peach schnapps, which makes pineapple a great option! ^{[4]
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- If you prefer sweeter cocktails, use your favorite juice (even though these won't be traditional Sex on the Beach cocktails). Try the pomegranate juice, grape juice, or lemonade, for instance.
3
Switch out the vodka for rum or tequila for a more flavorful drink. Vodka is known for being a strong but flavorless alcohol. If you'd like your cocktails to have a warmer, richer flavor, use your favorite rum or tequila. For even more flavor, try a spiced rum or an infused tequila! ^{[5]
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- If you're nervous that you won’t like the substitution, try using half a serving of vodka and half a serving of rum or tequila.
4
Blend the ingredients together for a large batch of Sex on the Beach slushies. Instead of putting all of the ingredients into a pitcher, pour them into a blender and add 2 cups (280 g) of ice. Put the lid on the blender and blend the mixture until all of the ice is crushed and the slushie mixture is smooth. ^{[6]
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- Keep in mind that slushie cocktails will melt faster than traditional Sex on the Beach cocktails.

Section 3 of 4:

Making a Sex on the Beach Cocktail

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Mix a 1:1:3:3 ratio of vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry juice, and orange juice. To make one standard Sex on the Beach cocktail , you’ll need 1 oz (29 ml) vodka, 1 oz (29 ml) peach schnapps, 3 oz (88 ml) cranberry juice, and 3 oz (88 ml) orange juice. Once you’ve gathered all of your ingredients, fill a highball glass with ice and pour in the vodka and peach schnapps, instructs Cigliano. Add in the orange juice and the cranberry juice. Garnish with a maraschino cherry and an orange slice, if desired, then enjoy your drink! ^{[7]
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Section 4 of 4:

Making a Sex on the Beach Shot

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Shake 1:1:1:1 vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice over ice. To make Sex on the Beach shots, combine equal parts vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice. Add all of the ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice, then shake until your hands are too cold to grip the shaker. Strain the liquid into shot glasses and serve immediately. ^{[8]
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Community Q&A

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Question

I want the alcohol in the pitcher to look separated. How do I do that?

Community Answer

Pour cranberry juice in, then add some ice until it is just above the cranberry juice. Then repeat with the orange juice. Fill the rest with ice, then pour your spirits slowly, directly onto an ice cube. It will layer it and look as if it is separated.

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After Sex on the Beach is mixed and refrigerated, how long will it stay good?

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It will separate over time, but it can stay refrigerated for a few days and still remain "fresh."

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Can I freeze this cocktail in a bucket and scoop it out to serve?

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Yes, you most certainly can. Just don't add ice cubes. And make sure you store it upright, and for at least 12 hours.

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To make a pitcher of sex on the beach without a recipe, remember these ratios: 1 1/2 parts vodka, 1 1/2 parts orange juice, 1 1/2 parts cranberry juice, and 1/2 part peach schnapps.

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How to Make a Sex on the Beach Pitcher for a Large Party

Sex on the Beach Recipe Ingredients

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Making a Pitcher of Sex on the Beach

Sex on the Beach Flavor Variations

Making a Sex on the Beach Cocktail

Making a Sex on the Beach Shot

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