Cosmopolitan

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The Cosmopolitan cocktail, better know as a Cosmo, is a fruity drink made with cranberry juice, vodka, triple sec, and lime juice.

Two cosmopolitan cocktails on a tray.


 

Recipe ingredients

Labeled ingredients for a Cosmopolitan.

Ingredient notes

  • Vodka: Some versions of the cosmo are made with citrus-flavored vodka. Unflavored works, too.
  • Triple sec: Or any orange-flavored liqueur such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. To a cocktail shaker add vodka, lime juice, triple sec, and cranberry juice. Add ice and cover the shaker. Shake until well chilled.
Building a cosmopolitan cocktail in a shaker.
  1. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a lime slice.
Pouring a cosmopolitan cocktail into a glass.

Recipe tips and variations

  • Yield: This recipe makes 1 Cosmopolitan cocktail.
  • Glassware: The Cosmo is traditionally made in a cocktail glass (martini glass). But, it is not actually a type of martini.
  • Big batch: To make a batch of 8 cocktails, combine 12 ounces (1 ½ cups) Prosecco, 2 ounces (¼ cup) lime juice, 2 ounces (¼ cup) triple sec, and 2 ounces (¼ cup) cranberry juice in a pitcher. Have ice, glassware, and garnishes on hand so guests can help themselves.
  • Sea Breeze: Made in a highball glass. Substitute 6 ounces (¾ cup) grapefruit juice for the triple sec and increase the cranberry juice to 2 ounces (¼ cup).
  • Cape Codder: AKA a vodka cranberry. Add 1 ½ ounces (3 tbsp) vodka to a highball glass filled with ice, then top with cranberry juice. Garnish with a lime wedge.
  • Kamikaze cocktail: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, ad 1 ½ ounces (3 tbsp) vodka, 1 ounce (2 tbsp.) orange liqueur, and 1 ounce (2 tbsp.) lime juice. Shake until chilled, then strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lime wedge. For a kamikaze shot, combine 1 ounce (2 tbsp) vodka, 2 tsp. orange liqueur, and 2 tsp. lime juice in a shot glass.
  • Non-alcoholic: Replace the triple sec with orange juice and the vodka with pink lemonade.
Two cosmopolitan cocktails on a tray.

Aperol Spritz

The classic Aperol Spritz is a refreshing aperitif cocktail that combines bright orange Aperol liqueur and dry sparkling wine.

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Two cosmopolitan cocktails on a galvanized metal serving tray.

Cosmopolitan

The Cosmopolitan cocktail, better know as a Cosmo, is a fruity drink made with cranberry juice, vodka, triple sec, and lime juice.
Prep Time 1 minute
Cook Time 1 minute
Total Time 2 minutes
Servings 1 cocktail
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Calories 127
5 from 1 vote

Ingredients 

  • 1 1/2 ounces vodka (3 tablespoons, see note 1)
  • 1/4 ounce fresh lime juice (1 ½ teaspoons)
  • 1/4 ounce triple sec (1 ½ teaspoons, see note 2)
  • 1/4 ounce cranberry juice (1 ½ teaspoons)
  • 1 cup ice
  • 1 slice lime for garnish

Instructions 

  • To a cocktail shaker add vodka, lime juice, triple sec, and cranberry juice. Add ice and cover the shaker. Shake until well chilled.
  • Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a lime slice.

Notes

  1. Vodka: Some versions of the cosmo are made with citrus-flavored vodka. Unflavored works, too.
  2. Triple sec: Or any orange-flavored liqueur such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier.
  3. Yield: This recipe makes 1 Cosmopolitan cocktail.
  4. Glassware: The Cosmo is traditionally made in a cocktail glass (martini glass). But, it is not actually a type of martini.
  5. Big batch: To make a batch of 8 cocktails, combine 12 ounces (1 ½ cups) Prosecco, 2 ounces (¼ cup) lime juice, 2 ounces (¼ cup) triple sec, and 2 ounces (¼ cup) cranberry juice in a pitcher. Have ice, glassware, and garnishes on hand so guests can help themselves.
  6. Sea Breeze: Made in a highball glass. Substitute 6 ounces (¾ cup) grapefruit juice for the triple sec and increase the cranberry juice to 2 ounces (¼ cup).
  7. Cape Codder: AKA a vodka cranberry. Add 1 ½ ounces (3 tbsp) vodka to a highball glass filled with ice, then top with cranberry juice. Garnish with a lime wedge.
  8. Kamikaze cocktail: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, ad 1 ½ ounces (3 tbsp) vodka, 1 ounce (2 tbsp.) orange liqueur, and 1 ounce (2 tbsp.) lime juice. Shake until chilled, then strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lime wedge. For a kamikaze shot, combine 1 ounce (2 tbsp) vodka, 2 tsp. orange liqueur, and 2 tsp. lime juice in a shot glass.
  9. Non-alcoholic: Replace the triple sec with orange juice and the vodka with pink lemonade.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cocktailCalories: 127kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 13mgPotassium: 23mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 11mgIron: 1mg
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Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.

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