Not overly sweet or too tart, our cosmopolitan cocktail recipe is perfect to shake up for one or even prepare in advance for a crowd. Jump to the Cosmopolitan Cocktail Recipe or watch our quick recipe video showing you how we make it.
While there are many variations, ours comes from what we (and most of our friends) keep stocked in our pantry. Good vodka, triple sec (we like to use Cointreau) and fresh lime. A twist of sweet fragrant orange peel and you’re set.
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Making our Cosmopolitan Cocktail Recipe
When choosing the vodka, go for something mid to high range. We’ll usually stock Stolichnaya or “Stoli,” but use what you know you enjoy. The other thing to remember, here is to use fresh lime juice – not the bottled stuff. We realize it’s a little more work, but the taste is so much better.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: How to make one of our favorite cocktails — The Old Fashioned. See our recipe and tips for making the best Old Fashioned at home.
Lastly, we love adding a little orange peel to this. Sure, it may look like an unnecessary garnish, but if you do it right, it’s adds a little sweetness and as you go into to 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 that spray out from the orange, fall into the drink. Rubbing the edges of the glass doesn’t hurt either.
It’s such a fresh, bright and happy drink. Don’t you think?
TAKE A LOOK: You may also like these cocktails Ginger Cosmopolitan Cocktail or this Champagne Cosmopolitan Recipe
Recipe updated, originally posted December 2012. Since posting this in 2012, we have tweaked the recipe to be more clear and added a quick recipe video. – Adam and Joanne
Perfect Cosmopolitan Cocktail Recipe
- PREP
Not too sweet or too tart, this cosmopolitan cocktail recipe is perfect to serve one or many. We like to use unflavored or citrus flavored vodka in this. If you can, since there is quite a lot of vodka in the recipe, choose vodka that is medium priced or that’s even top-shelf. We like to use Stolichnaya. We love adding a little orange peel to this. Sure, it may look like an unnecessary garnish, but if you do it right, it’s adds a little sweetness and as you go into to 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 that spray out from the orange, fall into the drink. Rubbing the edges of the glass doesn’t hurt either.
You Will Need
2 ounces (1/4 cup) vodka
1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) triple sec
3/4 ounce (1 tablespoon + 1 1/2 teaspoons) cranberry juice
1/4 to 1/2 ounce (1 1/2 teaspoons to 3 teaspoons) fresh lime juice
One 2-inch orange peel/twist
Ice
Directions
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice then add vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and lime juice. (We like the extra bite of extra lime juice, so we use 1/2 an ounce in our cosmopolitan cocktails. However, use what is best for your taste). Shake the cocktail shaker for about 30 seconds until well chilled. Then, strain into a martini glass.
Garnish with orange peel/twist. For an extra burst of flavor, peel the orange twist over the filled cocktail glass. This way, the orange oils spray into the glass.
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- To make 4 drinks at one time, add 1 cup vodka, 1/4 cup triple sec, 1/3 cup cranberry juice, and 2 to 4 tablespoons of fresh lime juice to a pitcher. Stir and adjust to taste. Refrigerate. When ready to serve, pour into four martini glasses and garnish with orange peel/twist.
- Nutrition facts: The nutrition facts provided below are estimates. We have used the USDA Supertracker recipe calculator to calculate approximate values.
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Love how strong it was …like you stated!
It was perfect!
I like how you have the recipe for 1 and 4 servings…( love that!!! )
I like it. Thanks..
Where can I get the orange peeler shown?
I think we bought it from Sur la Table — it’s Kuhm Rikon and was really cheap!
How can I make it just a tad sweeter?
Hi Jan, you could add a little more cranberry juice. Adding a little honey or agave nectar works, too.
You and add a little Grand Marnier to make sweeter.
In line with Janice, Sub Grand Marnier or another Orange Curacao for the Triple Sec. You’ll be adding a little hinter of vanilla aswell from the Cognac base of Grand Marnier.
Very nice! Really enjoyed and it was pretty. 🙂
Thank you Denise!
Do you use cranberry juice cocktail or pure cranberry juice? I have cranberry juice concentrate in my supply. I’m thinking I should go to the store….
We use cranberry juice cocktail (often Ocean Spray) — the pure cranberry juice options are too tart.
Sorry but this is a failure as a cosmo recipe. Too much vodka to triple sec and not enough cranberry juice. 0 stars
Hi Samantha, Sorry you didn’t like our vodka to cranberry ratio. We like our cosmos less sweet. Thanks for commenting.
Samantha, sorry your Cosmo didn’t adhere to your standards. I would recommend altering the recipe to your liking. Do yourself the favor of adding Cointreu to your mix. That would most certainly sweeten the drink. Or you could simply add a tablespoon of sugar or even honey to sweeten it.
How far in advance can I make these?
Pretty far in advance. The only thing that may change over time is the fresh taste of the lime.
Do you know of good canapé to serve with!?
I experimented a bit with the recipe which was fun since it meant mixing another cocktail. Anyways, I would recommend reducing the lime part just a bit, use cranberry pomegranate juice and then for a bit of drama take a large slice of orange peel and squeeze it into the glass while you have a flame underneath the orange. Try it and see the sparks fly…