Cosmopolitan Cocktail
It wasn’t the late 90’s and early 2000’s without Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw, and Cosmos. I tuned in faithfully every week and waited patiently for the start of each new season. I was living in Chicago at the time and thought New York City was so much cooler, and therefore so were Cosmopolitans, and they became my drink of choice for awhile, too. They’re refreshing, taste light but pack a definite punch, not too sweet, and look fancy and elegant served in a martini glass. Wondering what to serve for New Year’s Eve or your next girls night in? This is always a hit!
What Is in a Cosmopolitan Cocktail?
To make a refined yet simple Cosmopolitan drink, you’ll need the following basic and common ingredients:
Ice Vodka Cointreau Triple Sec (or other orange liqueur) Lemon juice (optionally can use lime juice) 100% cranberry juice Lemon twist, for garnishing (optionally can use lime) Maraschino cherry, optional for garnishing
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Make a Cosmopolitan Cocktail
A Few Notes About Making Cosmopolitans…
This Cosmopolitan drink recipe is as easy as it gets! However, there are a few notes I wanted to share about this classic cocktail.
Originally, Cosmopolitans were made with citron vodka, but many bars and at-home liquor cabinets don’t keep it on hand. Therefore, adding fresh citrus juice with regular vodka has become a popular variation. Cosmopolitans can be made with either lemon juice or lime juice and garnished with either lemon or lime as well. A double is being prepared in the photographs in the shaker to fill both glasses. Maraschino cherries aren’t a traditional garnish, but they’re eye-catching, fun, and flirty – everything a cosmo is!
Can I Add More or Less Cranberry Juice?
Yes! The hue of pink is dependent on how much cranberry juice is added. Recipes may call for anywhere from a splash to 1 ounce. This truly comes down to the drinkers’ personal preference. I used 1 ounce per serving for this recipe and photos for a deep pink color and fruity flavor, but it can be adjusted to taste.
What Type of Cranberry Juice Should I Use?
Make sure to use 100% cranberry juice or L&A brand and not cranberry juice cocktail because it will add a lot of sugar to the drink and destroy the flavor balance.
Can I Use Low-Sugar Cranberry Juice?
Yes, I’ve also made cosmopolitans with sugar-free or 5-calorie-per-serving cranberry “juice” and I am totally fine with that. However, I also use sugar-free products when they don’t tend to jeopardize the intended flavor balance or profile of a recipe. Do as you prefer.
What Garnishes Are on a Cosmopolitan?
I garnished with lemon peels and maraschino cherries, but orange peels, lime slices, and cranberries are also common garnishes. Maraschino cherries are not common but they help make the drink unique and are fun for the photos.
Can This Recipe Be Made in Advance?
No, I recommend preparing the Cosmopolitan drink just before you plan on serving it. The ice will melt otherwise and your cocktail will be watered down.
Can I Make This as a Batch Cocktail?
I bet you could stir together the vodka, triple sec, lemon juice, and cranberry juice in a pitcher (use the measurements below as ratios) and pour over ice later on.
Tips for the Best Cosmopolitan Cocktail
Where I really tend to be more of a purist though is with bottled citrus juice. In a cocktail, I always opt for freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice rather than bottled. I garnished with lemon peels and maraschino cherries, but orange peels, lime slices, and cranberries are also common garnishes. For bonus points, plan in advance, and serve your cosmopolitan cocktails in a chilled glass by placing the martini glasses in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes. However, as a bit of trivia, it’s interesting to note that cosmopolitans are not a martini even though they are served in a martini glass. They are actually part of the sour cocktail family.
Favorite Cocktail Recipes:
Pomegranate Mojito – Everyone will love this fruity twist on a classic mojito recipe! The tart pomegranates and lime blend beautifully and are paired with simple syrup, mint, and white rum for a refreshing cocktail that’s perfect all year long! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Malibu Sunset — A fun, fruity, easy Malibu drink recipe!! Because there’s really no wrong way to do pineapple, orange juice, coconut rum, grenadine, and cherries. If you’ve never had this fruity alcoholic drink before, you should change that!! Chocolate Covered Strawberry Martini – An indulgent chocolate martini that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, date-night-in, or a girls-night-in! Plenty of chocolate flavor in this festive, fun, and easy martini! Tequila Sunrise — Not only is it pretty to look at, but a tequila sunrise is also refreshing, nostalgic, and the grenadine sweetens it up enough that you may not even notice it packs quite a punch! Manhattan Cocktail – This classic bourbon cocktail is made with vermouth, Angostura bitters, and orange peel for a sophisticated and easy drink everyone should know how to make! Tropical Alcoholic Punch – One of my all-time favorite party drinks! Feel free to leave the alcohol out if desired. This punch tastes delicious even without it!
