Sandy Sheets

Sandy Sheets is a layered tequila cocktail that blends peach, citrus, and berry notes with eye-catching color transitions. With butterfly pea flower–infused vodka creating a striking top float, it’s a beachy sipper that’s as eye-catching as it is flavorful. Inspired by cocktail.kitchen.

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Tasting Notes

The Sandy Sheets flavor opens with ripe orange and peach from the juice and brandy, lifted by the bright edge of lime and the soft citrus of triple sec. Tequila adds a subtle earthiness that grounds the drink. As you sip, cranberry juice adds depth and a tart finish. The butterfly pea flower–infused vodka doesn’t just contribute color it brings a delicate floral note and a cool contrast to the fruitier base. Peach bitters add just enough aroma and complexity to tie everything together without overwhelming the fruit-forward balance. The garnish adds a citrusy fragrance right at the surface.

Equipment and Glassware

You’ll need a cocktail shaker and a bar spoon for this Sandy Sheets. A jigger helps measure out smaller quantities like bitters and peach brandy precisely. Use a double old fashioned glass for serving its wide rim and sturdy base work well with layered drinks and allow room for garnish and ice. A strainer is essential for pouring the shaken mixture cleanly over fresh ice. When floating or sinking liquids, having a steady hand and the right angle of pour is key, and a long-handled bar spoon will help create clean separation for the floating vodka layer.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz blanco tequila
• 0.5 oz butterfly pea flower–infused vodka
• 0.25 oz triple sec
• 0.25 oz peach brandy
• 1.5 oz orange juice
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• 0.25 oz lime juice
• 1 dash peach bitters
• Garnish: half orange wheel

Instructions

• In a shaker filled with ice, combine tequila, triple sec, peach brandy, orange juice, lime juice, and peach bitters.
• Shake well until the mixture is chilled.
• Strain into a double old fashioned glass filled with fresh ice.
• Slowly pour the cranberry juice against the inside of the glass to allow it to settle at the bottom.
• Gently float the butterfly pea flower–infused vodka over a bar spoon just above the ice to create a layered effect.
• Garnish with a half orange wheel.

Pro Tips

• Use a clear glass to fully show off the layers.
• Shake well to balance and chill the base flavors.
• Pour the cranberry juice close to the glass edge to avoid mixing.
• Let the ice settle before floating the top layer for a cleaner look.
• Infuse vodka with butterfly pea flowers ahead of time for best color.
• Keep your bar spoon close to the ice when floating the vodka.
• Use fresh citrus juice for better clarity and flavor.
• Avoid over-shaking to preserve the juice’s freshness.
• Serve immediately to maintain layer separation.
• Chill the glass ahead of time to keep the top layer afloat longer.

When to Serve

Sandy Sheets is a great choice for warm afternoons, happy hours, and any occasion where visual impact matters think rooftop parties, poolside gatherings, or sunset events. Its mix of tropical, tart, and floral elements fits well with spring and summer menus. The color separation and layered ingredients also make it a strong conversation starter. It’s best served right after making to maintain the clean, stacked look. If you’re hosting an event where drinks are made to order, this one will catch attention every time.

Which Liquor Brands to Choose

Blanco Tequila

• Espolòn Blanco
• El Tesoro Blanco
• Olmeca Altos Plata
• Cazadores Blanco
• Fortaleza Blanco

Butterfly Pea Flower Vodka

• Empress 1908 (gin, if substitution is acceptable)
• Homemade infusion using vodka + butterfly pea flowers
• Ink Vodka
• Wild Hibiscus B’Lure Extract (for DIY coloring)

Triple Sec

• Cointreau
• Combier
• DeKuyper Triple Sec
• Bols Triple Sec
• Luxardo Triplum

Peach Brandy

• Jacquin’s Peach Brandy
• Arrow Peach Flavored Brandy
• Rothman & Winter Orchard Peach
• Bols Peach Brandy
• Leroux Peach Brandy

Similar Cocktails

• Mimosa Margarita
• Orange Rhubarb Margarita
• Tequila Limeade
• Rhubarb Margarita
• Guava Watermelon Rum-quila