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Head to head

Screwdriver vs. Sex on the Beach

Screwdriver and Sex on the Beach side by side: what changes in the recipe, the balance, the strength and the calories.

The difference

Vodka and orange juice in both. The Sex on the Beach adds peach schnapps and cranberry juice for a sweeter, pinker drink; the Screwdriver is just vodka and orange.

By the numbers

Both have vodka and orange juice. Only the Sex on the Beach has peach schnapps and cranberry juice. In parts, a Screwdriver is 1 vodka and 2 orange; a Sex on the Beach is 2 vodka, 1 peach schnapps, 2 orange and 2 cranberry. By volume, the Screwdriver is 67% mixer and juice and 33% spirit; the Sex on the Beach is 57% mixer and juice, 29% spirit and 14% liqueur.

The Sex on the Beach is the stronger drink in the glass (12.7% ABV against 12.1%), but being smaller it holds about the same alcohol (1.13 and 1.10 standard drinks). The Sex on the Beach has more calories (about 170 against 158) and more sugar (13.6 g against 8.8 g). Both are built and served in a highball.

Screwdriver

Highballs & Fizzes · Vodka

Strength
12.1%
Std. drinks
1.13
Calories
158
Sugar
8.8 g

Built, served in a highball. About 5½ oz (165 ml) in the glass. Garnish: An orange slice.

The ratio · 1 : 2

Full Screwdriver recipe →

Highlighted: not in the Sex on the Beach.

On the ratio map

SpiritVermouthCitrusMixerSyrupLiqueurScrewdriverSex on the Beach

Each drink sits nearer the corners it has more of: spirit, vermouth and bitter, citrus, mixer, syrup or liqueur. The gray dots are the other classics. Explore the full ratio map.

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