The best cosmopolitan cocktail recipe is not too sweet, not too tart, and really easy to make. One of my favorite vodka cocktails, these cosmos are easy to drink, elegant, and delicious.
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This is my favorite recipe for cosmopolitan cocktails (or cosmos), and it is delicious. Although they are strong, my recipe makes them taste so good. They aren’t too sweet or tart!
I’ve shared all my tips for making them the best. For a sparkling cosmo, try this Champagne Cosmopolitan.
Key Ingredients
- Vodka: When choosing vodka for cosmos, go for something mid- to high-range. We usually stock Stolichnaya or “Stoli,” but use what you know you enjoy. A citrus vodka tastes incredible, too. Lower-priced vodka tastes a bit more abrasive.
- Cranberry juice or cranberry cocktail: You can use sweetened cranberry juice (often called “cranberry juice cocktail”) or unsweetened plain cranberry juice. If you use unsweetened, you will likely need to add a small splash of simple syrup or agave since it can be tart. Substitute for white cranberry juice to make a white cosmo!
- Orange liqueur: I recommend Cointreau for the best cosmos! You can use Triple Sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier in our cosmopolitan recipe. Cointreau is a type of Triple Sec that tastes stronger and more complex. It’s also smoother, so I love using it for cosmos. Grand Marnier is also a type of Triple Sec, but it is combined with Cognac, which makes it taste richer, nutty, and caramelized.
- Fresh lime juice: I’m a stickler on using fresh, not bottled lime juice. We realize it’s a little more work, but the taste is much better.
- Orange peel: We love adding orange peel to our martini glass. It may look like an unnecessary garnish, but as you sip your cosmopolitan, you’ll get an orange aroma, which hides the strength and scent of the vodka.
How to Make a Cosmopolitan
When making cosmopolitan cocktails, I use a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Add vodka, cranberry juice, Cointreau (or Triple Sec), and fresh lime juice, close the lid, and shake until very cold. Strain the drink into a chilled martini glass, and enjoy!
When you add the orange peel, peel it over the glass. This way, any oils spraying from the orange fall into your drink. Rubbing the edges of the glass doesn’t hurt either. Trust me, it makes a huge difference.
Make Ahead Cosmos
A cosmopolitan is the perfect drink to make ahead. I love doing this when I have a group of friends coming over! Instead of making each cocktail individually, I’ll make a large batch in a pitcher and then chill it in the fridge.
To make a pitcher that serves 4, you will need 1 cup (8oz) vodka, 1/4 cup (2oz) Cointreau, 6 tablespoons (3oz) cranberry juice, and 2 tablespoons (1oz) lime juice.
More Cocktails Recipes
- Champagne Cosmopolitans (a bubbly version of the cosmo)
- Classic Aperol Spritz (Italian bubbly cocktail)
- Lemon Drop Martinis (inspired by the lemon drop shot)
Perfect Cosmopolitan Cocktail
- PREP
- TOTAL
I love this classic cosmopolitan recipe! It’s easy to make one or a pitcher for a crowd. Use a vodka you enjoy. Citrus vodka is especially delicious.
I love adding orange peel to our cosmos. Sure, it may look like an unnecessary garnish, but if you do it right, it adds a little sweetness. As you take a sip of the cosmopolitan cocktail, you’ll get orange essence, which hides the strength and scent of the vodka. When you add the orange peel, peel it over the drink. This way, any oils spraying from the orange fall into the drink. Rubbing the edges of the glass doesn’t hurt either.
Watch Us Make the Recipe
You Will Need
2 ounces (1/4 cup) vodka or citrus vodka
1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) triple sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier
3/4 ounce (1 ½ tablespoons) cranberry juice cocktail, see notes
1/4 to 1/2 ounce (1 ½ teaspoons to 3 teaspoons) fresh lime juice
One 2-inch orange peel/twist
Directions
1Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice. (I like the extra bite of lime juice, so I use 1/2 an ounce in our cosmo, but use what is best for your taste.)
2Shake the cocktail shaker for about 30 seconds until well chilled. Then, strain into a martini glass.
3Garnish with orange peel/twist. Peel the orange twist over the filled cocktail glass so the orange oils spray into the glass.
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- Cranberry juice: You can use sweetened cranberry juice (often called “cranberry juice cocktail”) or unsweetened plain cranberry juice. If you use unsweetened, you will likely find that you need to add a small splash of simple syrup or agave since it can be quite tart.
- The nutrition facts provided below are estimates.
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Absolutely good
Flippin heck! That’s good……and so easy to make! Probably a bit dangerous to have more than one though. Thanks for the recipe.
Excellent & easy!!
Made this a few times now and this is the first recipe that my wife will consistently finish.
The holiday crowd loved it. Dropped some sugared cranberries in as a garnish.
I tried about 4 or 5 Cosmopolitan recipes in the past few months. This one is my favorite by far! Just the right balance for my taste! Not too sweet, not too tart!!
This was great! Very balanced. Two oz of vodka is perfect in my opinion. You’re right – it must be fresh squeezed lime. The bottled stuff ruins it.
I love Cosmos and this is my go-to recipe and has been for a number of years. I use GranGala (a less expensive version of Gran Marnier) and during the holidays when I have my homemade Spiced Apple Cranberry relish on hand, I add a very little dollop of that to my shaker.
Absolutely perfect! Not too sweet, not too tart, wonderful!