What’s in a cosmopolitan cocktail? It’s easier to make than you think! This vibrant pink drink is perfect for celebrations of all kinds.
It’s got a brilliant pink color and tangy, refreshing flavor: yes, it’s a Cosmo! A Cosmopolitan cocktail, to be exact. This great cocktail is ready to spice up your next gathering, be it a dinner party or drinks on the patio with friends. It was at its height in the 1990’s (hello, Sex and the City) and sometimes makes purists roll their eyes. BUT! The Cosmo is a legit sour cocktail that’s worth drinking: the beautiful color is reason in itself. Here’s how to make it!
What’s in a Cosmopolitan cocktail?
A Cosmopolitan Cocktail is a classic alcoholic drink made with cranberry juice and vodka with a distinctive pink color. The history of the Cosmo is disputed: some claim it was invented in the 1930’s, others in the 1970’s. (Read all about it if you want to geek out.)
What’s in a Cosmo? The classic version of this cocktail uses Citron vodka, cranberry juice (usually sweetened), Cointreau, and lime. Why make our version of this classic? Keep reading.
Why to make our Cosmopolitan cocktail recipe
We have a long list of cocktail recipes where we break down each method so you don’t have to be a cocktail expert! We’ve got all the classic cocktails, from gin fizz to whiskey sour to French 75 to Moscow mule. Why make our modern spin on the Cosmopolitan cocktail?
- It’s easy! We’ve paired it down to the essentials. Instead of having to buy a whole new type of vodka, you can use standard vodka instead.
- It’s not too sweet, and you can customize the sugar level! Versions you’ll order at a bar can be incredibly sweet: this recipe is perfectly sweet tart, and you can customize it to taste.
- It’s bright! This version uses unsweetened cranberry juice, which makes a heightened color compared to other Cosmos. It looks even better!
Do you have to use citron vodka in a Cosmo?
A Cosmopolitan cocktail purist would say that a “real” Cosmo uses citron vodka, a lemon-flavored vodka that brings a nice citrus zing. However, for our recipe we wanted to use ingredients everyone would have in their pantry. So this recipe uses standard vodka plus lemon juice.
If you have citron vodka on hand already, absolutely use it here and omit the lemon juice. (Citron vodka also stars in a classic Lemon Drop Martini, another great place to use it!)
A Cosmo with unsweetened cranberry juice
Traditional versions of a Cosmopolitan cocktail use sweetened cranberry juice. But for our version, we used 100% cranberry juice (unsweetened). There are lots of variations of cranberry juice on the shelf, and many of them have added sugar. Bottles labeled cranberry juice cocktail have added sugars or high-fructose corn syrup for extra sweetness. Why use unsweetened cranberry juice?
- It has less sugar, and you can customize the sweetness. Use 100% juice and you can customize the sweetness of the drink by adding simple syrup (or maple syrup, which adds a gentler sweetness).
- The color is brighter. The color of this Cosmo is electric pink because 100% juice has a deeper color.
Using 100% juice means you can sweeten to taste
The sugar level in a Cosmopolitan cocktail usually comes from using sweetened cranberry juice. But we like our drinks on the tart side without a lot of added sugars. The 100% cranberry juice makes a crisp and tart Cosmo drink. We’ve specified to add 1 teaspoon of simple syrup, but if you’d like, you can make it more tart or a little more sweet.
Other drinks that use cranberry juice
Want to use up that leftover cranberry juice? There are lots of great cranberry cocktail recipes to make with it! Here are a few ideas:
- Madras The Madras features vodka, cranberry and orange juice for tart and tangy drink. It’s very similar to the Cosmo!
- Vodka Cranberry One of the easiest cocktails there is: vodka and cranberry juice on the rocks with a spritz of lime.
- Cranberry Champagne Cocktail Instead of vodka, add a bit of champagne and you’ve got a killer festive cocktail! Or try the Cranberry Mimosa for brunch.
- Rum & Cranberry uses rum, Cointreau and lime juice for a sweet tart, balanced drink.
- Sea Breeze or Bay Breeze The Breezes are classic and refreshing cocktails, fit for sipping al fresco, a laid back happy hour or as a brunch drink. Sea Breeze features grapefruit juice, and Bay Breeze the tropical flavor of pineapple.
When to serve a Cosmopolitan cocktail
This Cosmopolitan cocktail is fun and celebratory. It’s great as a:
- Bridal shower drink or bachelorette party drink
- Girls night drink
- Gender reveal party drink (this pink drink is perfect!)
- Happy hour drink
- Dinner party drink
- Christmas or holiday drink
- Romantic dinner drink
- Brunch drink (Mother’s Day, etc)
Cosmopolitan Cocktail (New & Improved!)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
Description
What’s in a cosmopolitan cocktail? It’s easier to make than you think! This vibrant pink drink is perfect for celebrations of all kinds.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce* vodka or citron vodka**
- 1 ounce 100% cranberry juice (not sweetened!)
- ½ ounce Cointreau
- ½ ounce lemon juice
- 1 lime wedge
- 1 teaspoon simple syrup
- For the garnish: lime wheel (optional)
Instructions
- Place the vodka, cranberry juice, Cointreau, lemon juice, and syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake 15 seconds until cold. Strain the liquid into a martini glass.
- Squeeze with the lime wedge and serve, garnished with a lime wheel if desired.
Notes
*1 ounce = 2 tablespoons
**If you have it, use citron vodka for the most authentic Cosmo: in this case you can omit the lemon juice. In our tests we found it was just as tasty to use standard vodka with lemon juice, so you don’t have to buy another type of vodka.
***If all you can find is sweetened cranberry juice, omit the simple syrup.
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Cocktails
Keywords: Cosmopolitan cocktail, Cosmopolitan drink
LOVE it that you so well-addressed the importance of 100% cranberry. Roughly a third the sugar of your 100% ‘Juice’ Cranberry ‘Cocktails’. By wording it like that, they get away, by the letter of the law, with making people think it’s 100% cranberry. Anyway, I usually do regular vodka and lime, which is great. But this time, per your suggestion, used Stoli Oranj (I had a couple 50 mls on hand haha), with lemon instead on lime. And a tsp less of Cointreau (always have that on hand). It is perfection. But OTOH, I’m not sure now whether it’s the citrus vodka or the lemon vs lime (or both) that makes such a big difference. Oh, I always add a couple dashes of Angostura orange bitters. Optional for most, but you should really try it. If you do, you’ll probably do it all the time from now on. :-D
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My husband & I have tried a number of your cocktail recipes. We have thoroughly enjoyed each and every one! You are our go-to source every time we want to try something new, or enjoy again those we have already tried.
We had relatives visit recently and they were very impressed with our bartending skills…thanks to you both!!
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So glad to hear that! Thanks for making them :)
This is the ONLY Cosmo I will drink. It’s getting me through the pandemic all on its own!
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Hiiiiii i made this for my mom and dad for valentines day they loved i thank you very much
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What are most of the items I need to keep on hand at all time to make different drinks?
We’d recommend a cocktail shaker, simple syrup and fresh citrus. Otherwise, it’s just a matter of building up different liquors that you enjoy.
I have to say…
The maple syrup is a game changer. I don’t believe I’ll ever use simple syrup again! Thank you for the tip!
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If you are interested, my deep dive Cosmopolitan cocktail research is here: https://www.misscharming.com/comopolitancocktailhistory
Thank you for this! I have four Cosmo recipes from the people who claim it. They personally gave them to me. If you are interested, my deep dive Cosmopolitan cocktail research is here: https://www.misscharming.com/comopolitancocktailhistory
Would agave be an okay substitute for the simple syrup? I’m thinking it might give it the same gentle sweetness without the slight maple flavor.
Yes!
I am needing to serve a cocktail in a dispenser for a party and am wondering if this Cosmo would be ok made in a larger batch and served from a dispenser. I would have garnishes of course.
Yes! 8x is the easiest: just switch cups for ounces.