The Best Cosmopolitan Recipe

This is the best cosmopolitan recipe! It’s easy to make and uses only 4 simple ingredients. The vibrant color and flavors make this cosmopolitan drink cocktail perfect for parties and year-round sipping.

It’s also one of our best vodka cocktails to make. Read below to learn fun facts and the history of this go-to cocktail too.

A cosmo is one of our favorite, easy cocktails. Don’t let its bright pink color fool you, as it’s surprisingly lower in calories and sugar. It’s also a cocktail that can be enjoyed year-round and is perfect for holiday parties or summer get-togethers!

Before we dive into the recipe for our cosmopolitan drink, it’s useful to know something about its history! You can use these fun facts to entertain your guests as you prepare their drinks.

History Of The Cosmopolitan Cocktail

Accounts vary, but many attribute the invention of the cosmopolitan cocktail to a Miami bartender, Cheryl Cook, who worked in Miami’s South Beach during the 70s. She wanted to create a cocktail that would make customers look sophisticated without being difficult to drink. So, she went for something sweet.

Cosmopolitan Cocktail Ingredients

There are 4 main cosmopolitan cocktail recipe, and the ingredients in this cosmo! Just keep these ingredients on hand, and you can whip one up anytime.

— Cranberry Juice – Use sweet cranberry juice, like Ocean Spray. The organic, unsweetened cranberry juice will not work when making a cosmo.

— Lime Juice – Always use fresh-squeezed.

— Vodka – See below for some good options.

— Cointreau – You can also try it with triple sec too.

Another option is using a cranberry-pom juice blend or a cranberry-apple blend of Ocean Spray!

How to Make a Cosmopolitan Cocktail

Many mixologists add their flair to their Cosmopolitan cocktail recipes. However, there are certain elements shared by every self-respecting cosmo.

1 — Combine high-quality vodka, lime juice, cranberry juice, and Cointreau into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

2 — Shake it vigorously for at least 30 seconds. The outside of the shaker should be ice cold just before serving. Use a strainer or slotted spoon to strain the drink into a martini glass.

3 — Garnish with a lime wedge. If you want to spin the drink, add fresh cranberries for the holidays!

Best Vodka for this Cosmopolitan Drink

Here are a few of the best vodkas for martinis. If you want to know more, you can see the best vodkas here.

Grey Goose Vodka

St. George All Purpose Vodka

Barr Hill Vodka

Reyka Vodka

Belvedere Vodka

Death’s Door Vodka

Titos

When to Serve this Cosmopolitan Drink

This cocktail is perfect for celebrations! Here are some fun ideas:

Tropical Party or Garden Party

Dining Alfresco or Girls Gathering

Colorful Backyard Carnival Party

Last Minute Birthday Party

Flamingo-Themed Pool Party

What to Serve with This Prink Cocktail

A classic cosmopolitan cocktail pairs nicely with a variety of light appetizers and snacks. Here are a few of our favorite party appetizers you can serve with this cocktail:

Vegetable Crudités

Cheese Platter

Fruit and Cheese Plater

Ham and Cheese Sliders

Fruit Platter with Fruit Dip

Truffle Potato Chips with Prosciutto

Mini Meat Balls with Garlic Sauce

Dessert Charcuterier Platter

Frequently Asked Questions

Are cosmopolitans strong?

Cosmopolitan martinis are strong, but the ingredients make them smooth and quite tasty. Be careful! You can make pitchers of perfectly mixed ingredients or prepare martinis for two for a date night at home.

What does a cosmopolitan drink taste like?

Lime presents a sour flavor that sets the tone for the drink. The Cointreau has a layer of sweetness and refreshing orange flavor. The cranberry gives the cosmopolitan its signature pink hue and adds tartness to the mix.

Finally, vodka dilutes the flavors and lifts them for a complex drink profile with many fans.

Is Cointreau the same as Triple Sec?

Cointreau is a top-shelf orange liqueur. It is a triple sec style of alcohol, although it’s not labeled as one. Grand Marnier is another heavyweight in the triple sec category.

After adding triple sec, she experimented until she came up with the lime and cranberry juice combination, which gave it a pretty pink color.

The drink made waves on South Beach, where it was the splash hit. It soon became one of the favorite drinks of up-and-coming professionals in Manhattan as well.

Is a cosmopolitan a woman’s drink?

It depends on who you ask. The Cosmo was the favorite drink of Carrie Bradshaw on the 1990s show Sex in the City, which targeted young urban professionals.

Chances are, you will see more women than men enjoying this particular cocktail. However, men are welcome to enjoy the refreshing flavor too!