I’ve been mixing drinks at backyard barbecues since college, and the Sex On The Driveway cocktail is always good for a laugh and a double-take – if the wild blue color doesn’t get people’s attention, the name definitely does. It’s my playful spin on the old Sex On The Beach, and it’s become something of a running joke among my friends. If someone new comes over, someone else will always nudge them with, “Ask what’s in the blue one.”
I still remember the first time I brought a tray of these out to a summer cookout. The sun was setting, and that punchy electric blue practically glowed in the yard. I lost count of how many people wandered over, wide-eyed, and asked, “Okay, what is that?” There’s just something about a blue drink that automatically feels festive, even if you’re lounging by a kiddie pool in 90-degree heat.
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But here’s the thing: it’s not just a gimmick. The peach schnapps and blue curaçao team up for this sweet, cheerful flavor that somehow tastes like the best parts of summer. The vodka gives it backbone, and then you lighten everything up with lemon-lime soda. What you end up with is one of those drinks that barely tastes alcoholic – which is both a blessing and a curse. (Just ask my buddy Mike, who learned this the hard way at last year’s Labor Day bash after he’d – well, let’s just say he lost count.)
Ingredients
- 1 ounce peach schnapps
- 1 ounce blue curaçao
- 1 ounce vodka
- 4 ounces lemon-lime soda
- Ice cubes
- Lime wedge or maraschino cherry (if you want to gild the lily)
How to Make It
It’s as easy as it looks – here’s my backyard method:
- Grab a highball glass and fill it all the way with ice (seriously, don’t skimp – no one wants a lukewarm blue mystery drink).
- Pour in the vodka.
- Add the peach schnapps.
- Follow with the blue curaçao and watch the color explode.
- Top generously with lemon-lime soda.
- Give everything a quick swirl with your straw or a spoon.
- Garnish with a lime wedge or a cherry, if you’re feeling a little extra.
And that’s it – legit takes less time to mix than it does to say the name straight-faced.
If you’re playing host or just want to batch it: I usually multiply the recipe by about eight, dump everything except the soda into a pitcher with ice, then add soda just before serving.
I’ve also had to improvise before: once I swapped out the schnapps for mango liqueur when my bottle ran dry halfway through a party, and honestly, it was so good I started making it that way on purpose (I called it the “Tropical Driveway” and it kind of stuck).
As far as food pairings go, spicy snacks weirdly work – these drinks go down super easy next to buffalo wings or chips with salsa. My friend Sarah swears the combo is “dangerously addictive.” Fruit trays and shrimp cocktail also do the trick if you want something light.
I love this drink because it doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not. It’s bright and bold, tastes like summer break, and seems to put everyone in a backyard-party mood. If you want something that looks wild but doesn’t require a bartender’s license to make, give this a shot. Just watch out – these have a magic way of disappearing fast.
