Virgin Sex on the Beach

Before you start

The original is a fruity highball of vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry and orange. Remove the spirits and what matters most is replacing the schnapps, since that is where the peach flavor and much of the sweetness came from. Thick peach nectar does the job well, adding body and a soft stone-fruit flavor, while a splash of lime keeps the cranberry and orange from tasting like a breakfast juice blend.

The classic presentation is two-toned: orange and peach on the bottom, cranberry poured gently on top so a red layer floats over gold. Cranberry juice cocktail is lighter than the nectar mixture, so it settles on top if you pour slowly. Shaking the base first gives it a little froth that helps hold the layer.

Ingredients

• 60 ml (2 oz) orange juice — fresh or good-quality pulp-free
• 45 ml (1½ oz) peach nectar
• 10 ml (⅓ oz) fresh lime juice
• 75 ml (2½ oz) cranberry juice cocktail — chilled
• 1 cup (about 150 g) ice cubes — for shaking, plus more for serving
• 1 orange slice and fresh peach wedge — for garnish

Method

1. Fill the highball glass with fresh ice.
2. Shake the orange juice, peach nectar and lime juice with ice for 8 seconds to blend the thick nectar and add a little froth.
3. Strain the mixture over the ice in the glass. It should fill a little more than half.
4. Hold the bar spoon just above the drink, back side up, and slowly pour the cranberry juice over it so it settles on top in a red layer.
5. Garnish with the orange slice and peach wedge. Serve with a straw so guests can stir it together or sip through the layers.

Tips for success

• Peach nectar varies in thickness and sweetness. A very thick one may need an extra 15 ml of orange juice to keep the drink lively.
• Unsweetened pure cranberry juice is too tart and heavy to float. Use a cranberry juice cocktail or blend.
• When peaches are ripe, blend one with a squeeze of lemon and strain it for a fresh purée that beats bottled nectar.

Substitutions

Peach nectar

Peach syrup at 15 ml gives a stronger, sweeter peach flavor with less body. Apricot nectar works at the same amount and is slightly tarter.

Cranberry juice cocktail

Pomegranate juice makes a darker, tarter top layer; dilute it with 15 ml water so it floats more easily.

Lime juice

Lemon gives a slightly softer acidity. Leave citrus out only if your orange juice is very tart.

Variations

Sparkling beach

Reduce the orange juice to 45 ml and top the layered drink with 45 ml ginger ale.

Frozen version

Blend the orange, peach and lime with 1 cup ice, pour into a glass and spoon a cranberry granita on top.

Troubleshooting

The layers blend immediately

The cranberry was poured too fast or from too high. Pour slowly over the back of a spoon held right at the drink's surface.

It is too sweet

Increase the lime to 15 ml or top with 30 ml soda water. Some cranberry cocktails and nectars carry a lot of sugar.

The drink tastes muddy and brown when stirred

Orange and cranberry make a dusky color when fully mixed; that is normal. Serve it layered and let each drinker decide.

Storage

Build and serve right away. Opened peach nectar and juice should be refrigerated and used within about 7 to 10 days, or as the label directs.