Tropical Sex On The Beach Cocktail Recipe

If you're old enough to have been of drinking age in the '80s, surely you'll remember the heyday of sexy cocktail names. If you're a young'un shocked by the cringe, though, know that Sex on the Beach wasn't even the most embarrassing drink name out there. This cocktail may still be the kind of thing you'd feel shy about ordering at a bar, which is all the more reason to try making it at home. Here, recipe developer Deniz Vergara gives the retro drink a tropical twist by swapping out the vodka for a flavored rum.

"Passion fruit rum," says Vergara, "gives a sweet and tart flavor that is balanced nicely with the cranberry juice and fresh squeezed orange juice." The resulting beverage is one that she describes as being a "summery, fruity drink that's not too sweet." She also tells us that the ingredients supplied here make two or even three cocktails, which means that the drink is actually pretty moderate as far as ABV goes. This ensures that the beverage is light, refreshing, and perfect for warmer weather.

The boozy components of this cocktail consist of passion fruit rum and peach schnapps, while the non-alcoholic mixers include orange juice and cranberry juice. Vergara likes to squeeze her own OJ and notes that she needs to use 2 navel oranges in order to have a sufficient amount for these drinks.

As a garnish, you'll slice up an orange to complete each glass with a pretty ring of the citrus fruit.

Select your glasses and fill them with ice. You can use a tall glass if you would like to sip your drink from a straw, or a rocks glass if you plan on imbibing poolside and want something that's unlikely to tip over. Vergara, however, has a different preference: "I think that stemmed glasses just give off a more elegant feel," she says, adding that pretty much any glass will do the trick.

Pour the two types of booze over the ice along with the orange juice, then stir everything together. "This drink should be stirred and not shaken," explains Vergara, "so you can see the different colors in the drink and avoid over-dilution." Once you're done stirring, float the cranberry juice over the top for a layered color effect.

As this is a tropical-style drink, it deserves a fruity garnish, and here Vergara is going with a classic orange wheel or wedge. If you want to switch things up a bit, though, she suggests lemon, lime, or pineapple slices and/or whole maraschino cherries. If you have any paper umbrellas or cute swizzle sticks, those would look nice, as well.