The cosmopolitan cocktail is a classic pink drink comprised of citron vodka, cranberry juice, Cointreau, and fresh squeezed lime juice. Served in a martini glass with a lime wedge or twist, it’s a sweet and sour alcohol heavy beverage perfect for parties.

Why this recipe works

Nothing quite says lady’s night on the town like this classic cosmo. While its pink appearance looks sweet, it packs a tart punch.

If you prefer sweet cocktails, like rum punch, then the cosmopolitan drink may not be for you. But it’s worth a try, you just never know! You may find that a cosmo is your new favorite drink.

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

VODKA – Use citron vodka when making a cosmo. The flavor profile is different than plain vodka and the best choice for this cocktail. In a pinch you can use plain vodka, but the drink won’t be classic nor quite as good.

ORANGE LIQUEUR – There are several types of Triple Sec orange liqueur. For a cosmo, Cointreau is actually the best due to its smooth flavor, but any Triple Sec will work.

LIME JUICE – Only use fresh squeezed lime juice when making a cosmopolitan cocktail. Bottled lime juice just doesn’t taste as good and it will affect your final drink’s flavor.

How to Make a Cosmopolitan Cocktail

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

To make this pretty lime twist, use a vegetable peeler to make one long peel of a lime zest. Use scissors to trim off an even, narrow strip and then twist that strip of lime skin around a chopstick. Set aside (or in the freezer) while you prepare the cocktail.
Measure out your ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 1 minute.
Strain the cocktail into a martini glass and garnish with lime wedge or twist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there variations of the cosmopolitan cocktail?

The most common variation of the classic cosmopolitan recipe is to swap out white cranberry juice for the red. This cosmo variation is aptly named a White Cosmopolitan.

Can I use plain vodka in a cosmo?

We don’t recommend using plain vodka simply because citron (citrus flavored) is not only the classic ingredient for a cosmopolitan, but because it tastes better. If you have plain vodka on hand and don’t want to hit the store, you can certainly use it, but grab some citron on your next store trip.

The perfect cocktail for those who like their drinks tart rather than sweet, the cosmopolitan is almost like a vodka-based margarita in its composition.

Cosmopolitan History

While the cosmopolitan cocktail is often seen as a new invention, this drink has been around for nearly 100 years – although, she’s seen some changes along the way.

Originally made with raspberry and lemon juices, the cosmopolitan was made over by Ocean Spray ad exec’s in a 1960s ad campaign where it was renamed “the Harpoon.” While the new name didn’t stick, the swap of cranberry juice and lime juice did – but the drink didn’t hit its real heydey until Madonna crashed onto the NYC dance scene, and then it had another resurgence with those Sex and the City girls.

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