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This Cosmopolitan cocktail recipe is one of my favorites! It’s easy to make with just four simple ingredients and has a vibrant color and refreshing flavor. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or enjoying a summer get-together, this classic vodka cocktail is always a hit!
Looking for more cranberry cocktails, check out my cranberry martini, cranberry Moscow mule and cranberry margarita.
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The Cosmopolitan cocktail is the ultimate mix of sophistication and fun – a timeless pink drink that’s effortlessly chic.
Whether you’re channeling your inner Carrie Bradshaw, hosting a fabulous girls’ night, or just craving something light and refreshing, this cocktail delivers. It’s sweet, tart, and oh-so-easy to make – the kind of drink that instantly elevates any occasion.
What is a Cosmopolitan Cocktail?
A Cosmopolitan, or Cosmo, is a classic vodka-based cocktail with a perfect balance of sweet, tart, and citrusy flavors. Made with vodka, cranberry juice, Cointreau (or Triple Sec), and fresh lime juice, it has a signature blush pink color and a smooth, refreshing taste.
Cosmopolitan Cocktail Ingredients
You only need four ingredients to make the perfect Cosmopolitan cocktail:
Cointreau: A smooth orange liqueur; you can also use Triple Sec.
Cranberry Juice: Use sweetened cranberry juice, like Ocean Spray.
Lime Juice: Always fresh-squeezed for the best flavor.
Vodka: Choose a high-quality vodka.
How to Make a Cosmopolitan
Strain & Serve: Strain into a chilled martini or coupe glass and garnish with a lime wheel or fresh cranberries.
Shake It Up: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, and Cointreau.
Mix & Chill: Shake vigorously for 30 seconds until the shaker is ice cold.
Eden’s Tips for the Perfect Cosmopolitan
I’ve made my fair share of Cosmos, and these simple tips make all the difference:
Always use fresh lime juice: It gives the cocktail a crisp, bright flavor. Bottled just won’t cut it!
Shake it really well: A proper shake chills the drink and creates that smooth, slightly frothy texture.
Use a high-quality vodka: A good vodka makes all the difference in a simple cocktail like this.
Stick to sweetened cranberry juice: Unsweetened cranberry is too tart and will throw off the balance.
More Cocktail Recipes
Also check out all of my easy cocktail recipes to make at home and more pink cocktail recipes too!
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Cosmopolitan Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 1/2 ounces cranberry juice, Ocean Spray brand
- 1/2 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 1/2 ounce Cointreau, any orange liqueur
Instructions
- Squeeze the lime to make fresh lime juice.
- Pour in the cranberry juice, vodka, lime juice, and Cointreau into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake for 20-30 seconds.
- Strain the cocktail into a coupe glass.
- Garnish with a lime wheel, wedge, or twist.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
just gorgeous and what I’m craving for tonight, perfect Saturday night cocktail, thank you!
This is such a refreshing and yummy drink! This is going to be our go-to-cocktail recipe for sure.
Perfect drink – my sister and I enjoyed a couple over the weekend!
Wow! This was delicious and refreshing, thank you for the easy directions!