Fuzzy Navel

Fuzzy Navel: beginner-friendly and crowd-safe

Two ingredients, one glass, no shaker. The Fuzzy Navel is a highball built on peach schnapps and orange juice, and it is very easy to make badly for one reason: everything in it is sweet.

Why this drink still works

Peach schnapps brings a soft stone-fruit aroma and most of the sugar, while orange juice adds body and colour. With no bitter or herbal element anywhere, dull juice or a warm glass shows up immediately.

Fuzzy Navel measures in ml and oz

Orange juice alone cannot balance 45 ml of sweet liqueur, so add 5 to 10 ml of fresh lime or lemon juice to every serve.

How strong is a Fuzzy Navel?

Most peach schnapps sit between 15% and 20% ABV, so a 45 ml pour carries roughly 8 ml of pure alcohol. In a 165 ml drink that is only about 5% ABV, lighter than a glass of wine. Budget around 150 kcal and close to 20 g of sugar.

Technique

Build it in the glass and do not shake it. Shaking orange juice aerates it into foam and gives the drink a cloudy, smoothie-like texture. Fill a chilled highball with fresh ice, pour the schnapps in first, then the juice down the side of the glass, and stir twice.

Named variations

• Hairy Navel — add 30 ml of vodka. Same drink, roughly twice the strength.
• Sex on the Beach — peach schnapps and vodka with cranberry and orange juice.
• Fuzzy Navel Freeze — blend the same measures with a cup of ice.

Common mistakes

Warm juice and a warm glass melt the ice before the drink is cold. Cheap, sugary schnapps throws the build off, so taste the bottle first. Over-stirring makes it thin; two turns is plenty.

Fuzzy Navel FAQ

Why does my Fuzzy Navel taste watery?

Usually a warm glass and too little ice. Fill it to the top, use fresh cubes, and keep the juice refrigerated.

Can I make a Fuzzy Navel with fresh peaches?

Yes. Muddle two ripe peach slices with 10 ml of simple syrup, add the juice, shake briefly and strain over ice. Far more fragrant.

Is a Fuzzy Navel a strong drink?

No. It lands around 5% ABV, about the same as a light beer, so treat it as a long, sessionable drink.