Mixologist Tony Rivers - Cocktail Specialist
👨‍🍳 Master Mixologist

Recipe by Mitchell

🎓 Bartending Certification ⏰ 12+ Years Experience 🍽️ Party Cocktail Expert

❤️ My Recipe Story

"This playful cocktail became a hit at beach bars and summer parties in the early 2000s. The name might raise eyebrows, but the drink itself is a crowd-pleaser with its beautiful layered appearance and perfectly balanced sweet-tart flavor profile."

Tony specializes in fun, approachable cocktails that bring people together. He's developed hundreds of party-friendly drinks that look impressive but are easy enough for home bartenders to master.

View All Mitchell's Recipes →
Colorful layered Lick 'Er Right cocktail in a highball glass with pink and blue layers, garnished with cherry and orange wheel

The Art of Layering Cocktails

Creating perfect layers in cocktails is all about understanding liquid density. Heavier, sugar-rich liquids sink to the bottom, while lighter spirits float on top. The key to the Lick 'Er Right's stunning appearance is pouring each component slowly and deliberately.

Temperature also plays a crucial role in layering success. Cold ingredients hold their layers better than room temperature ones. Always use plenty of ice and well-chilled ingredients for the most dramatic visual effect and the best taste.

💡 Professional Tip

Use the back of a bar spoon as a guide when pouring the blue curaçao layer. Pour very slowly and keep the spoon just above the surface of the drink to achieve clean, distinct layers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Replace vodka with additional pineapple juice, use peach syrup instead of schnapps, and blue sports drink instead of curaçao. The layering technique remains the same.

Make sure all ingredients are well chilled and pour very slowly. The blue curaçao should be poured last over the back of a spoon to create the floating effect.

The base mixture (everything except blue curaçao) can be pre-mixed and chilled. Add the blue layer individually to each glass for the best visual effect.

A tall highball or hurricane glass works best to showcase the layers. The height allows for better separation and more dramatic presentation.

The layers will stay distinct for about 10-15 minutes if undisturbed. Once you start drinking or stirring, they'll naturally mix together.

Yes! Orange juice, apple juice, or grape juice can replace the cranberry juice. Just maintain similar proportions and remember that different juices have different densities.

Any quality vodka works well. Premium vodkas will provide a smoother taste, but the fruit flavors are prominent enough that mid-range vodka is perfectly fine.

To make it stronger, increase the vodka to 60ml. To make it weaker, reduce alcohol and increase the fruit juices proportionally.

Recipe Troubleshooting Guide

✅

Muddy Layers

Problem: Layers mix together instead of staying separate

Solution: Pour more slowly, ensure ingredients are well chilled, and use the bar spoon technique for the final layer. Practice makes perfect.

✅

Too Sweet

Problem: Cocktail tastes overly sweet or cloying

Solution: Add more lime juice or reduce the peach schnapps. The tartness should balance the sweetness of the other ingredients.

✅

Too Weak

Problem: Cocktail lacks alcohol punch or flavor

Prevention: Increase vodka slightly or reduce the soda component. Make sure you're using quality spirits with good flavor profiles.

✅

Wrong Color

Problem: Layers don't have the expected pink and blue appearance

Recovery: Use enough cranberry juice for pink color and ensure blue curaçao is vibrant. Some brands have better color intensity than others.

✅

Flat Taste

Problem: Drink tastes flat or lacks fizz

Prevention: Add the soda component last and serve immediately. Use fresh, well-carbonated soda and don't overshake the mixture.

✅

Flavor Balance Issues

Too Sweet: Add more lime juice or reduce peach schnapps

Too Salty: This shouldn't occur, but if it does, add more pineapple juice to balance

Bland: Increase lime juice and ensure all fruit juices are fresh and flavorful

Cocktail ingredients including vodka, peach schnapps, blue curaçao, fruit juices, and garnishes arranged on a bar counter

Selecting Quality Ingredients

The success of any cocktail depends on quality ingredients, and the Lick 'Er Right is no exception. Choose a clean, neutral vodka that won't compete with the fruit flavors. Premium peach schnapps will provide better peach flavor than bottom-shelf alternatives.

Fresh fruit juices make a noticeable difference in taste. While bottled cranberry and pineapple juices are convenient, freshly squeezed lime juice is essential for the proper balance of sweet and tart flavors that makes this cocktail so refreshing.

Essential Ingredient Notes

  • Blue Curaçao: Choose a high-quality blue curaçao with vibrant color. The blue layer is what makes this cocktail visually striking, so color intensity matters.
  • Cranberry Juice: Use 100% cranberry juice blend rather than cranberry cocktail for better flavor and natural color. Pure cranberry juice may be too tart on its own.
  • Fresh Lime Juice: Always use fresh lime juice rather than bottled. The acidity is crucial for balancing the sweetness and helps with the layering effect.
Step-by-step photos showing the layering process of the Lick 'Er Right cocktail with distinct pink and blue layers forming

Mastering the Mixing Technique

The key to a perfect Lick 'Er Right cocktail lies in the shaking and layering techniques. Shake the base mixture vigorously with plenty of ice to achieve proper dilution and temperature. The mixture should be well-chilled when poured into the glass.

The final blue layer requires patience and a steady hand. Pour the blue curaçao very slowly over the back of a bar spoon, allowing it to float on top of the lighter base mixture. This creates the signature two-tone appearance that makes the drink so visually appealing.

Perfect Pour Technique

Hold the bar spoon just above the drink's surface and pour the blue curaçao slowly over the back of the spoon. This breaks the pour and allows the heavier liquid to settle gently on top.

Lick 'Er Right Cocktail

Prep 5 min
Cook 0 min
Serves 1 servings
Level Intermediate

📋 Ingredients

For the Base

  • 15ml blue curaçao
    Creates the signature blue top layer
  • 60ml lemon-lime soda
    Adds fizz and lightens the drink
  • Maraschino cherry
    Classic cocktail garnish
  • Orange wheel
    Adds citrus aroma and color
  • Colored sugar (optional)
    For rimming the glass
  • Ice cubes
    Essential for chilling and dilution

For Layering & Garnish

  • 45ml vodka
    The main spirit base
  • 30ml peach schnapps
    Provides sweet peach flavor
  • 60ml cranberry juice
    Creates the pink base color
  • 30ml pineapple juice
    Adds tropical sweetness
  • 15ml lime juice
    Fresh lime balances sweetness

Instructions

  1. Prepare Glass

    Fill a highball glass with ice cubes. If desired, rim the glass with colored sugar by dipping the rim in lime juice, then sugar.

  2. Add Base Layer

    In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry juice, pineapple juice, and lime juice. Shake well for 10-15 seconds.

  3. Pour First Layer

    Strain the mixture into the prepared glass over ice, filling about 3/4 of the glass.

  4. Create Blue Layer

    Slowly pour blue curaçao over the back of a bar spoon to create a floating layer on top of the drink.

  5. Finish and Garnish

    Top with lemon-lime soda, leaving room for garnishes. Add a maraschino cherry and orange wheel. Serve with a straw and enjoy immediately.

Recipe Notes & Tips

Serving Tips

Serve immediately after making for the best layered effect and optimal carbonation. The drink is meant to be mixed while drinking, so the layers will naturally blend.

Party Prep

For parties, pre-mix the base (everything except blue curaçao and soda) and keep chilled. Add the blue layer and soda to individual glasses as needed.

Variations

Try different colored curaçao for variety - orange creates a sunset effect, or use grenadine instead of blue curaçao for a red layer. Adjust fruit juices based on preference.