Cosmopolitan co*cktail Recipe

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Written ByDorothy Kern

Published OnDecember 26, 2023

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A Cosmopolitan co*cktail is a simple four-ingredient vodka drink that is so easy to make at home. It’s my absolute favorite drink and it’s so easy to make it at home – save your money and host happy hour with a bunch of these martinis!

Cosmopolitan co*cktail Recipe - just 4 ingredients! - Crazy for Crust (2)

Best Cosmopolitan Drink

A classic cosmo co*cktail is my absolute favorite martini recipe and I never realized how easy they are to make at home. This drink became all the rage in the 1990s – that’s when I discovered how much I like it.

I love going out for a drink, but sometimes drink prices – especially for co*cktails – are so expensive…plus I like being in my pajamas. So, I say let’s have an at-home happy hour, shall we? And I have the perfect drink for you to try: a classic cosmopolitan! You just need fresh lime juice, vodka, cranberry juice, and triple sec.

I’ve been making this co*cktail for years – I first fell in love with it the night I got engaged – and have been loving them ever since.

Cosmopolitan co*cktail Recipe - just 4 ingredients! - Crazy for Crust (3)

Cosmopolitan co*cktail Ingredients

You only need four ingredients to make it. It’s sweet, tart and pink – perfect for a girl’s night happy hour, but the fellas love them, too (my husband included).

Vodka – pick your favorite brand! I love Tito’s but I know Absolut Citron Vodka is good too, it adds more citrus flavor. Just use a top shelf vodka so you enjoy the drink more.
Triple sec – also called orange liqueur or cointreau, this adds a pop of orange flavor
Cranberry juice – Use unsweetened cranberry juice to give the drink it’s signature pink color and adds tartness, but you can also use sweetened if you like a sweeter drink.
Lime juice – adds a fresh splash of citrus, plus a slice of lime for garnish.
Simple Syrup – I do not add simple syrup to my drink becuse I find the triple sec adds enough sugar. But if you want a sweeter drink add some to taste.

Cosmopolitan co*cktail Recipe - just 4 ingredients! - Crazy for Crust (4)

How to Make a Cosmo Martini

Add all ingredients to a shaker full of ice, secure the cap and shake it for at least 10 seconds. I took a mixology class once and the bartender told us the secret to a good martini is how long you shake it!
Open it up strain the drink into the glass. Add a slice of lime for garnish!

Cosmopolitan co*cktail Recipe - just 4 ingredients! - Crazy for Crust (5)

Make a pitcher of Cosmopolitan Drink

The recipe I’m sharing is for one drink, but you can easily scale it up and make a big batch of cosmopolitans for dinner parties – or a bachelorette party!

I often like to mix it all and then shake as I go, so I’m not measuring out ingredients during a party.

To scale up your drink: multiply the ingredients by the number of co*cktails you’ll need. I figure two per person!

Just mix all of the ingredients in a pitcher and keep it the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve the drinks. Then you can shake and serve individual cosmos when you’re ready.

Cosmopolitan co*cktail Recipe - just 4 ingredients! - Crazy for Crust (6)

Tip From Dorothy

Expert Tips

You will also need a martini glass and a co*cktail shaker.Use a chilled co*cktail glass for an even icier co*cktail!
The shaker makes a big difference in preparing the drink. It’s an easy way to mix the ingredients, but it also quickly chills the drink with ice. That way, you don’t have to add ice to the actual drink which can dilute it.
Some restaurants will serve this drink with an orange twist or orange peel, but I prefer a lime garnish.
Don’t like vodka? Substitute gin!

FAQs

Is cosmopolitan a strong drink?

I think this is the perfect cosmopolitan recipe, but feel free to play around with it and adjust to your liking! You can add or reduce the vodka to adjust the strength.

Is cosmopolitan a sweet drink?

This is the perfect balance of sweet and tart for my taste but if you want a sweeter drink you can add some simple syrup or more juice or triple sec. For a stronger or less sweet drink, reduce the triple sec.

5 from 4 votes

A Cosmopolitan co*cktail is a simple four-ingredient vodka drink that is so easy to make at home. It’s pink, a little tart and a little sweet and a perfect co*cktail for happy hour!

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Yield 1 co*cktail

Serving Size 1 serving

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Ingredients

▢ 1 ½ ounces vodka
▢ 1 ounce triple sec
▢ 1 ounce cranberry juice
▢ ½ ounce lime juice

Instructions

Place all ingredients in a co*cktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for at least 10 seconds.
Strain into martini glass. Garnish with a slice of lime.

Recipe Notes

TIP: for a party, make a pitcher then measure out each drink and shake and serve. This way you’re not measuring all night long. To scale it up: multiply each ingredient by the number of drinks (figure at least 2 per person). Then to make your drink, measure out 4 ounces of the mixture, shake and serve.

Recipe Nutrition

Nutritional information not guaranteed to be accurate

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Author Dorothy Kern

Did you try this recipe? Click the stars to rate the recipe below

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Last Updated on December 26, 2023

Dorothy Kern

Welcome to Crazy for Crust, where I share recipes that are sometimes crazy, often with a crust, and always served with a slice of life.

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2 Comments

I infused my vodka with cranberries and made the cosmos it was delish!!
Reply
This recipe came in my email just about co*cktail hour! Yippee ! I checked my pantry and I had all the ingredients. It is super yummy! It’s a keeper !!
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Cosmopolitan co*cktail Recipe - just 4 ingredients! - Crazy for Crust (2024)

FAQs

How to make your own cosmopolitan? ›

Method

Fill a co*cktail glass with ice to chill.
Pour the Grey Goose L'Orange vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice and the juice of half a lime into a co*cktail shaker.
Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 20 seconds.
Empty your glass of the ice and strain in the co*cktail.

More items...

What are the ingredients in on the rocks cosmopolitan? ›

On the OTR Cosmopolitan co*cktail

It is a classic, timeless favorite for a reason; our Cosmopolitan co*cktail recipe is made with imported EFFEN® vodka for exceptional smoothness. Often referred to as 'The Cosmo,' this pink co*cktail blends vodka with tart flavors of cranberry, triple sec, lemon, and lime.

Read The Full Story ›

Which of the following is found in a cosmopolitan? ›

A cosmopolitan, or, informally, a cosmo, is a co*cktail made with vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice, and freshly squeezed or sweetened lime juice. Shake all ingredients in co*cktail shaker filled with ice.

Discover More Details ›

What is not found in a cosmopolitan? ›

The correct answer is Grenadine. A Cosmopolitan is a popular co*cktail made with vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, and orange-flavored liqueur, such as Cointreau or Triple Sec. Grenadine, a sweet, red syrup made from pomegranate juice, is not typically found in a Cosmopolitan.

What is a true Cosmopolitan? ›

Ingredients. 1 ½ ounce vodka. ¾ ounce fresh lime juice. ½ ounce triple sec. ½ ounce cranberry juice.

Know More ›

What can you substitute for triple sec in a Cosmopolitan? ›

Easy triple sec substitutions to try

Grand Marnier. Grand Marnier is our top triple sec substitution. ...
Cointreau. Cointreau liqueur also makes a great substitute for triple sec. ...
Curaçao. ...
Combier Liqueur d'Orange. ...
Maraschino Liqueur. ...
Orange extract. ...
Grenadine. ...
St-Germain.

More items...

May 11, 2023

Get More Info Here ›

What are the 4 components that balance all co*cktails? ›

The key to delicious co*cktails is balance. In early 19th century definitions, co*cktails are said to comprise four elements: spirits, sugar, water and bitters. Classic co*cktails like the Sazerac, Old Fashioned and Manhattan draw from this essential structure.

Find Out More ›

What is the best vodka to use in a cosmopolitan? ›

What Is the Best Vodka for a Cosmo? While purists will insist on a lemon-accented citron vodka such as Absolut Citron (and I recommend as much), there are more than a few ways to approach the cosmopolitan. The citrus accents to the vodka are somewhat key, however, unless you want to add lemon juice on your own.

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What is in the secret drink at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas? ›

Concocted by Mariena Mercer, lead mixologist at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, the Verbena co*cktail is a lemon verbena and ginger infused margarita garnished with a Sichuan flower. Order the drink, and your bartender will instruct you to eat the flower first.

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!

Read The Full Story ›

How much alcohol is in a Cosmo? ›

27% ABV | 54 PROOF

Made with Vodka, 100% real cranberry juice, 100% real lime juice, and orange curacao; the Cosmopolitan is a modern classic in its own right.

Cosmopolitan co*cktail Recipe - just 4 ingredients! - Crazy for Crust (2024)

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