Cosmopolitan Drink | Cosmo Recipe & Variations (2024)

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The classy Cosmopolitan drink – a mix of vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry and lime juice – is refreshing and elegant. Learn how to make the Classic Cosmo and a few tasty variations.

You will also love my p*rnstar Martini

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Cosmopolitan Drink | Cosmo Recipe & Variations (1)
Published February 2015 | Updated December 2019

Ahhh the Cosmopolitan… A fave of Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradsaw and a hugely popular co*cktail in the 1990s as a result. The Cosmo was practically another character in that show, am I right?

These days ordering a Cosmopolitan is seen as little dated, a little passé… but this is actually a beautiful drink if made well.

There’s some debate about who’s the creator behind this co*cktail… Some say it was invented by a Florida bartender named Cheryl Cook.

Others maintain that the quintessential Cosmopolitan recipe comes courtesy of Dale DeGroff of New York’s Rainbow Room.

The first mention of ‘Cosmopolitan’ was back in 1934 – several drinks by that name appear in the book Pioneers of Mixing at Elite Bars. One of these drinks is very similar to current-day Cosmo drink.

Needless to say there’s endless variations of this drink – you will find some of my favourites below!

Cosmopolitan Drink | Cosmo Recipe & Variations (2)

Ingredients

Vodka: In some versions this has to be lemon-flavoured bodka, such as Absolut Citron. I prefer to use Stolichnaya (a.k.a Stoli) or my own cranberry-infused vodka for the ultimate Cosmopolitan co*cktail!

Orange Liqueur: Triple Sec, Cointreau or (my preference) Grand Marnier. Some Cosmo versions made with Grand Marnier are called Grand Cosmopolitan (see also Grand Margarita).

Cranberry juice: Ocean Spray is the most commonly found. Try also Eager Cranberry Juice or Biona Organic Pure Pressed Cranberry Juice.

Lime juice: freshly squeezed, always!

Orange peel: strip of orange peel to garnish or flamed orange peel (dropped in the drink). Or you can use a lime wheel.

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USEFUL EQUIPMENT

Here’s what you will need to make a this recipe – and most other shaken co*cktails.

Let’s make a Cosmopolitan!

STEP 1. Half fill your shaker with fresh ice. Put two Martini or coupe glasses in the freezer to chill.

Cosmopolitan Drink | Cosmo Recipe & Variations (4)

STEP 2. Add the vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry and lime juice.

Cosmopolitan Drink | Cosmo Recipe & Variations (5)

STEP 3. Shake hard for 30 seconds.

STEP 4. Double strain into your chilled glasses.

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STEP 5. Garnish your Cosmo with a flamed orange peel (see below) a strip of orange peel or a lime wheel.

Cosmopolitan Drink | Cosmo Recipe & Variations (8)

How to Flame an Orange Peel for co*cktails

STEP 1. Cut a small piece of orange peel, at least an inch long. Hold a safe distance over the glass with a match or lighter in your other hand.

Cosmopolitan Drink | Cosmo Recipe & Variations (9)

STEP 2. Bend the orange peel to release a fine spray of bitter oils a short distance from the flame and watch them catch alight. Drop the peel into your glass and enjoy.

Cosmopolitan Drink | Cosmo Recipe & Variations (10)

Cosmo Variations

Classic with a twist: add a teaspoon of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice to the classic ingredients.

Blood Orange: my citrusy twist includes fresh blood orange juice – see recipe card for details.

Ultimate Cosmo: Replace the vodka with cranberry infused vodka. This version is ruby-red and very intense. Perfect for Christmas!

Sparkling Cosmopolitan: top with Prosecco or Champagne and toast the New Year!

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Try these classic vodka co*cktails

French Martini

Want to know how to make a French Martini? This popular co*cktail only requires three ingredients - vodka, pineapple juice and Chambord. I have included the classic French Martini recipe plus a couple of variations.

Read More

p*rnstar Martini

The p*rnstar Martini (a.k.a Maverick Martini, Passion Star Martini) is a passion fruit vodka co*cktail served with a shot of chilled Prosecco on the side. Delicious and photogenic!

Note: if you are using store-bought passion fruit puree you might need to add a bit less as commercial varieties can be very sweet!

Read More

Caipiroska

The Caipiroska is a twist on the popular Caipirinha - the national co*cktail of Brazil. A simple co*cktail, Caipiroska is made with muddled limes, sugar and vodka served with plenty of crushed ice. My fruity variation includes blackberries to create a vibrant co*cktail that is perfect for summer.

Read More

Have you made this recipe? Post a photo on my Facebook page, share it on Instagram, or save it to Pinterestwith the tag #supergoldenbakes. I can’t wait to see your take on it!

Cosmopolitan Drink | Cosmo Recipe & Variations (15)

Cosmopolitan Drink { Cosmo co*cktail }

Lucy Parissi | Supergolden Bakes

The classy Cosmopolitan drink – a mix of vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry and lime juice – is refreshing and elegant. Learn how to make the Classic Cosmo and a few tasty variations.

4.37 from 11 votes

Print Rate

Course: co*cktail

Cuisine: Continental

Keyword: Blood orange cosmopolitan, Cosmo, Cosmo co*cktail Recipe, Cosmopolitan co*cktail, Cosmopolitan Drink

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 2

Calories: 154kcal

Ingredients

Classic Cosmopolitan

  • 80 ml | ⅓ cup vodka or lemon vodka
  • 2 tbsp Grand Marnier
  • 60 ml | ¼ cup cranberry juice
  • 1 tbsp lime juice or to taste
  • orange peel to garnish

Blood Orange Cosmopolitan

  • 120 ml | ½ cup freshly squeezed blood orange juice
  • 60 ml | ¼ cup cranberry juice
  • 80 ml | ⅓ cup vodka I used Żubrówka
  • 60 ml | ¼ cup Cointreau
  • dash orange bitters
  • blood orange slices to garnish or orange peel

Instructions

Classic Cosmopolitan

  • Put two martini or coupe glasses in the freezer to chill.

  • Add all the ingredients to your co*cktail shaker together with a large handful of ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.

  • Double strain into the two chilled glasses.

  • Cut a small piece of orange zest. Hold over the glass with a match or lighter in your other hand.

  • Bend the orange peel to release a fine spray of bitter oils a short distance from the flame and watch them catch alight. Drop the peel into your glass and enjoy.

Blood Orange Cosmopolitan

  • Put two martini or coupe glasses in the freezer to chill.

  • Add all the ingredients to your co*cktail shaker together with a large handful of ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.

  • Double strain the co*cktail between the two glasses. Garnish with a ribbon of orange peel or a thin slice of blood orange.

Video

Notes

Cosmopolitan Variations

Classic with a twist: add a teaspoon of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice to the classic ingredients.

Ultimate Cosmo: Replace the vodka with cranberry infused vodka. This version is ruby-red and very intense. Perfect for Christmas!

Sparkling Cosmopolitan: top with Prosecco or Champagne and toast the New Year!

Nutritional Info

Calories: 154kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 23mg | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin C: 5mg

Save

Tried this recipe?Mention @supergolden88 or tag #supergoldenbakes!

Cosmopolitan Drink | Cosmo Recipe & Variations (2024)

FAQs

What is the best triple sec for a cosmopolitan? ›

Dekuyper Triple Sec Liqueur

This is a classic for a reason—it's sweet but not overly so, and provides just the right amount of citrus flavor for any co*cktail, from a Margarita to a Cosmopolitan. And it's available everywhere. If you're looking for something dependable but not fancy, this is the way to go.

Can you use Grand Marnier instead of Cointreau in a Cosmopolitan? ›

Because of this production difference, Grand Marnier is heavier and a bit sweeter. So can you still use it in your Cosmo recipe? Sure!

Which is better in a Cosmo Cointreau or Grand Marnier? ›

In our opinion, Cointreau is more versatile in co*cktails.

Grand Marnier is much heavier, which can throw off a lighter style co*cktail like a Corpse Reviver #2 or Cosmopolitan.

What is a substitute for Cointreau in a Cosmopolitan? ›

You can substitute triple sec for Cointreau in drinks like cosmopolitans, margaritas, kamikazes, long island iced tea, and sidecars. In baked goods, triple sec can be used in place of Cointreau. Triple sec is also an excellent substitution for any dessert that calls for Cointreau.

Which is better in a Cosmo triple sec or Cointreau? ›

Cointreau is more expensive, but also has a more complex, smooth flavor. I use it in most of my co*cktail recipes (rather than Triple Sec), especially when I'm serving a drink that is served straight up – like this Cosmopolitan.

What can I substitute for cranberry juice in a cosmopolitan? ›

Blackberry Cosmopolitan: Replaces the cranberry juice with the juice from muddled blackberries. Rude Cosmopolitan: Substitute tequila for the vodka. Blueberry Pomegranate Cosmopolitan: Replaces the cranberry juice with pomegranate and muddled blueberries.

What's the main alcohol in a cosmopolitan? ›

Cosmopolitan co*cktails are a classic, elegant vodka co*cktail made famous by the ladies of Sex and the City! Not to sweet, not too tart, super quick to make made with cranberry juice, lime juice, vodka and cointreau. Serve this for elegant pre dinner drinks, to ring in the New Year or an evening in with the girls!

What does bruising mean in bartending? ›

Bruised: When a co*cktail or martini has be over shaken and pieces of ice and oxygen bubble forms. This results in a cloudy or murky looking co*cktail.

What is the strongest vodka drink? ›

Polmos Spirytus Rektyfikowany

Proof: 192 (96% alcohol). This Polish-made vodka — the name translates to rectified spirit — is the strongest spirit for sale in the U.S. “It's like getting punched in the solar plexus,” one sampler told the New York Post.

What is a Cosmopolitan co*cktail made of? ›

vodka, 1 oz. cranberry juice co*cktail, ¾ oz fresh lime juice, and ¾ oz. triple sec in a co*cktail shaker. Fill shaker with ice, cover, and shake vigorously until outside of shaker is very cold, about 20 seconds.

What makes you Cosmopolitan? ›

Cosmopolitanism is the idea that all human beings are members of a single community. Its adherents are known as cosmopolitan or cosmopolite. Cosmopolitanism is both prescriptive and aspirational, believing humans can and should be "world citizens" in a "universal community".

How much does it cost to build the Cosmopolitan? ›

At a final cost of $3.9 billion, it was the most expensive Las Vegas resort built up to that point.

What's the difference between a margarita and a Cosmopolitan? ›

The cosmopolitan is a vodka daisy, which is a sour made with fresh citrus and a liqueur like curacao. Where its siblings, the margarita and the sidecar, play it fairly straight, the cosmopolitan's nod to the cranberries of Cape Cod makes it an almost singular pleasure.

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