Fuzzy Navel

The first time I encountered a Fuzzy Navel was at a friend’s pool party last summer. As the afternoon sun blazed overhead, my friend handed me a gorgeous peachy-orange drink that looked like liquid sunshine in a glass. “Try this,” she said with a knowing smile. One sip of that perfectly balanced sweet-tart cocktail, and I was transported. The fresh orange juice complemented the smooth peach schnapps so naturally that I couldn’t believe I’d never tried this combination before.

two fuzzy navel drinks on coasters

Later, when I discovered this iconic drink had been popular since the 1980s, I felt like I’d been missing out on a secret that everyone else already knew. Now, I’m sharing that secret with you – because some classics never go out of style, and the Fuzzy Navel deserves its comeback moment.

What Is a Fuzzy Navel?

A Fuzzy Navel is a simple yet delicious cocktail made with just two primary ingredients: peach schnapps and orange juice. The name comes from a playful combination of “fuzzy” (referring to the fuzzy skin of peaches) and “navel” (from the navel oranges used in the juice). Despite its simplicity, this refreshing drink perfectly balances sweet peachy notes and bright citrus flavors.

How to Make a Good Fuzzy Navel

There are surprisingly many ways to mess it up for such a bare-bones cocktail, and using the wrong peach schnapps is the easiest one.

To make a Fuzzy Navel, you really ought to use DeKuyper Peachtree Schnapps. It is the original and is still the best choice for this drink. Whatever you do, don’t mistake DeKuyper Peach Pucker for DeKuyper Peachtree Schnapps. You won’t be happy.

If you cannot find DeKuyper Peachtree Schnapps, there are other peach schnapps, but make sure to buy American-style schnapps. Most distillers making American-style schnapps use a heavily sweetened and strongly flavored neutral grain alcohol as a base spirit, while European schnapps is much milder and less sweet.

What You’ll Need

Ingredients

  • Peach schnapps – Provides the signature sweet peach flavor and alcohol content that forms the backbone of this cocktail
  • Fresh orange juice – Adds bright citrus notes that balance the sweetness of the schnapps while contributing refreshing acidity.
  • Ice cubes – Chills the drink and provides slight dilution to mellow the flavors
  • Orange slice – Serves as a beautiful garnish while adding aromatic citrus oils to enhance the drinking experience

Equipment

  • Highball glass
  • Bar spoon for stirring
  • Jigger or measuring tool
  • Knife and cutting board (for orange garnish)

For the orange juice, there are two things to keep in mind. The first is to use fresh-squeezed oranges if you can, and the second is to strain out any pulp.

fuzzy navel ingredients

How to Make a Fuzzy Navel

  1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
    ice cubes in a highball glass
  2. Add peach schnapps.
    ice and peach schnapps in a glass
  3. Add orange juice.
    adding orange juice to peach schnapps and ice in a glass
  4. Garnish with an orange slice.
closeup of two fuzzy navel cocktail drinks
two fuzzy navel drinks on coasters

Classic Fuzzy Navel Cocktail

A refreshing peachy-orange cocktail that perfectly balances sweet and citrus flavors for a delightful sipping experience.
5 from 4 votes
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Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Cocktail
Keyword: Fuzzy Navel
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
Calories: 257kcal

Ingredients

  • ice
  • 3 ounces peach schnapps
  • 3 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1 orange slice to garnish

Instructions

  • Fill a highball glass with ice.
  • Add the schnapps followed by the orange juice.
  • Garnish with an orange slice.

Notes

Key Tips for the Perfect Fuzzy Navel

Choose the Right Peach Schnapps
For authenticity, DeKuyper Peachtree Schnapps is the traditional choice – it’s the original schnapps used in the first Fuzzy Navel. If you can’t find it, make sure to use American-style peach schnapps, which tends to be sweeter and more intensely flavored than European varieties.
Important Note: Don’t confuse DeKuyper Peachtree Schnapps with DeKuyper Peach Pucker, which has a completely different flavor profile.
Fresh Orange Juice Matters
While bottled juice will work in a pinch, freshly squeezed orange juice makes a noticeable difference in this cocktail. The bright, natural flavor complements the peach schnapps perfectly. For best results:
  • Use navel oranges for their sweet juice and low seed content
  • Strain out all pulp for a smooth drinking experience
  • Juice the oranges right before mixing for maximum freshness

Nutrition

Calories: 257kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 172mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 172IU | Vitamin C: 43mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg

Love homemade cocktails? Try these recipes!

Tasty Non-alcoholic Summer Drinks

Check out more of my easy mixed drink recipes and the best non-alcoholic drinks recipes here on CopyKat!

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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