This Cosmopolitan cocktail is a classic vodka cocktail recipe that is the perfect balance of sweet and tart. It’s a bright cocktail that is beyond easy to make by combining four ingredients with some ice. Serve it at a dinner party with some friends or happy hour after work. It’s a fun, colorful, celebratory cocktail that goes well with every occasion.
The history of the Cosmopolitan is quite disputed. Some claim it was invented in the 1930s, while others claim it came to be in the 1970s. You can read more about that here if you wish! However, for the cocktail to be a Cosmopolitan, it must consist of cranberry juice, vodka, Cointreau, and lime juice. Want another bright and colorful cocktail? Try my Aviation cocktail, Aperol spritz, or pomegranate martini!
What You Need to Make This Recipe
Cranberry juice cocktail — do not use pure unsweetened cranberry juice. The cocktail will be very tart and astringent if used. A cranberry juice cut with apple juice or diluted with simple syrup works great for making a cosmopolitan.
Citrus vodka — while you don’t have to use an expensive vodka, I recommend using a good quality one, so it goes down smoothly. I like using Ketel One as it is a super-smooth vodka at an affordable price. Their citroen vodka has a mix of four lemon and two lime assortments for a delicious citrus taste. Grey Goose and Belvedere are also good options.
Cointreau — this is a clear orange-flavored liquor that adds sweetness and makes for a stronger-tasting drink without diluting the Cosmo.
Lime juice — fresh lime juice is always the best option. Bottled lime juice does not taste as fresh and delicious.
How to Make Cosmopolitan
1. Combine the cranberry juice, vodka, and triple sec in a cocktail shaker.
2. Squeeze in the fresh lime juice.
3. Fill the shaker with ice.
4. Shake vigorously until the outside of the shake is frosted, about 30 seconds.
5. Strain into a martini glass.
6. Garnish with a strip of orange zest.
Pro Tips for Making This Recipe
- To get a pretty orange garnish for your Cosmo, you can use a vegetable peeler to get a thin piece of orange peel. Twist and place it in the drink.
- Don’t have a cocktail shaker? You can use a mason jar or any jar with a tight-fitting lid, then strain the Cosmo through a mesh strainer.
- Avoid adding crushed ice to the cocktail shaker as the ice will melt quicker and water down the Cosmopolitan cocktail.
- If you prefer, you can use another triple sec instead of Cointreau, but Cointreau tends to be higher in alcohol level.
- For an additional touch of flavor, peel the orange garnish over your drink. Doing so will ensure that any oils that spray out from the orange as you peel it will spritz into the Cosmo.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Cosmo itself has a decent amount of alcohol, but you can make it as strong or weak as you’d like by adjusting the amount of alcohol added.
No, a Cosmopolitan is not a martini. While you serve the cocktail in a martini glass, for a cocktail to be a martini, it must contain both vodka and vermouth.
If you only have unsweetened cranberry juice, you can sweeten it with simple syrup. You can purchase simple syrup at the store or make it at home. Make sure to make it ahead of time so the syrup is not hot. To make simple syrup, add equal parts water and sugar to a pan and bring it to a boil while stirring. Remove the pan from heat and chill in an airtight container before using it.
If you are making this Cosmopolitan for a crowd, you can scale up the ingredients and add them all into a pitcher. Stir to combine, and instead of adding ice, chill the entire pitcher in the fridge before serving.
If you love this recipe try these out!
If you’ve tried this Cosmopolitan recipe, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!
Cosmopolitan
Equipment
- Martini glass
- cocktail shaker
Ingredients
- 2 ounces cranberry juice cocktail*
- 1½ ounces citrus vodka
- 1 ounce Cointreau
- ¾ ounce lime juice
- Ice
- Orange zest
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the cranberry juice, vodka, triple sec, and lime juice. Fill the shaker with ice.
- Shake vigorously until the outside of the shake is frosted, about 30 seconds. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a strip of orange zest.
Notes
- * Do not use pure unsweetened cranberry juice. The cocktail will be very tart and astringent if used. A cranberry juice that is cut with apple juice or diluted with simple syrup works great.
- To get a pretty orange garnish for your Cosmo, you can use a vegetable peeler to get a thin piece of orange peel. Twist and place it in the drink.
- Don’t have a cocktail shaker? You can use a mason jar or any jar with a tight-fitting lid, then strain the Sidecar through a mesh strainer.
- Avoid adding crushed ice to the cocktail shaker as the ice will melt quicker and water down the Cosmopolitan cocktail.
- If you prefer, you can use another triple sec instead of Cointreau, but Cointreau tends to be higher in alcohol level.
- For an additional touch of flavor, peel the orange garnish over your drink. Doing so will ensure that any oils that spray out from the orange as you peel it will spritz into the Cosmo.
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