Cosmopolitan Cocktail Recipe

A traditional cosmopolitan cocktail recipe made with vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and fresh lime juice.

Cosmopolitan Cocktail Recipe

I wouldn’t call myself a cosmopolitan cocktail drinker by any stretch of the imagination, but every home bartender worth their salt must have this important and classic staple in their repertoire. The cosmo history is debated, but the best story we have dates back to 1987 when bartender, Toby Cecchini made the cocktail at the Odeon Restaurant in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood.

How to Make A Cosmopolitan Cocktail

There are hundreds, upon hundreds of variations of cosmo recipes. I can’t claim to be an expert but I will say I have a lot of cosmo drinkers in my family. You bet I’ve prob made over 100 cosmos in my lifetime. Way more than I ever thought I’d make. But hey, I married a cosmo woman so what can I do. This cosmopolitan variation, which came from a cocktail book my brother-in-law had years ago, seems to be an all around favorite.

Cosmopolitan Cocktail Ingredients

Traditionally, the cosmo is made with vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and fresh lime juice. I think you’ll find my variation has a little more lime and a little more cranberry than what you might get at a restaurant, bar or the internet. I’ve seen a small splash of cran or even 3/4 ounces of cran. We use 1 ounce of cran.

My cosmos are typically a little hazy, as they should be. This is from the fresh lime juice. A lot of bars will substitute Rose’s sweetened lime juice, which is essentially simple sugar with a tart artificial lime taste. Don’t do this, it’s gross.

Cranberry Juice or Cranberry Juice Cocktail?

I usecranberry juice cocktail. Cranberry juice cocktail is cranberry juice with some added sweeteners and more mild fruit juices mixed in. It’s less tart and bitter than 100% cranberry juice and adds a little bit of sweetness you need for the perfect cosmo.

Cosmopolitan Cocktail Recipe
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Cosmopolitan Cocktail Recipe

  • Prep Time: 5
  • Total Time: 5
  • Yield: 1 1x
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Scale

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounce vodka
  • 1 ounce Cointreau or triple sec
  • 1 ounce cranberry juice cocktail
  • 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with a cup of ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled coupe glass. Serve straight up and garnish with a lime.

Keywords: cosmo, cosmopolitan cocktail