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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FAQs

Cosmopolitan co*cktail Recipe - just 4 ingredients! - Crazy for Crust? ›

Serve 4 using a pitcher: To make 4 drinks at one time, add 1 cup vodka, 1/4 cup triple sec, 1/3 cup cranberry juice, and 2 to 4 tablespoons of fresh lime juice to a pitcher. Stir and adjust to taste. Refrigerate. When ready to serve, pour into four martini glasses and garnish with orange peel/twist.

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How to make your own cosmopolitan? ›

Get More Info ›

What is the best triple sec for a cosmopolitan? ›

Dekuyper Triple Sec Liqueur

This is a classic for a reason—it's sweet but not overly so, and provides just the right amount of citrus flavor for any co*cktail, from a Margarita to a Cosmopolitan. And it's available everywhere. If you're looking for something dependable but not fancy, this is the way to go.

View Details ›

Can you use Grand Marnier instead of Cointreau in a cosmopolitan? ›

Because of this production difference, Grand Marnier is heavier and a bit sweeter. So can you still use it in your Cosmo recipe? Sure!

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.

Find Out More ›

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

Find Out More ›

Which is better in a Cosmo Cointreau or Grand Marnier? ›

In our opinion, Cointreau is more versatile in co*cktails.

Grand Marnier is much heavier, which can throw off a lighter style co*cktail like a Corpse Reviver #2 or Cosmopolitan.

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What is a substitute for Cointreau in a Cosmopolitan? ›

You can substitute triple sec for Cointreau in drinks like cosmopolitans, margaritas, kamikazes, long island iced tea, and sidecars. In baked goods, triple sec can be used in place of Cointreau. Triple sec is also an excellent substitution for any dessert that calls for Cointreau.

See Details ›

Which is better in a Cosmo triple sec or Cointreau? ›

Cointreau is more expensive, but also has a more complex, smooth flavor. I use it in most of my co*cktail recipes (rather than Triple Sec), especially when I'm serving a drink that is served straight up – like this Cosmopolitan.

Read The Full Story ›

What is the best orange liqueur for a cosmopolitan? ›

Here's what's in a classic Cosmopolitan co*cktail:

Vodka – Despite the drink's history, I make mine with regular, not flavored, vodka.
Cointreau or triple sec – The sweet orange liqueur adds citrusy depth to the drink.
Cranberry juice – For tart flavor and pretty pink color.

More items...

Read The Full Story ›

Which is better for baking Grand Marnier or Cointreau? ›

Generally, Grand Marnier is intended to bring a stronger, more warming flavor to a co*cktail or baking recipe, while Cointreau and other types of triple sec are much more generalized supporting flavors.

Keep Reading ›

Should I buy triple sec or Cointreau? ›

While Cointreau is a premium option with a higher price point and ABV, triple sec is a more affordable and sweeter alternative. Regardless of your preference, Red & White offers both options for purchase, making it a convenient one-stop-shop for all your liquor needs.

Read On ›

What drink numbs your mouth at the Cosmopolitan? ›

with one of the most popular drinks in Las Vegas? and making your mouth go completely numb? you can find it at the Chandelier Bar. at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. it's called the Verbena co*cktail, and it has a lemonade type vibe.

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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.

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

Best Cosmopolitan Drink

Cosmopolitan co*cktail Ingredients

How to Make a Cosmo Martini

Make a pitcher of Cosmopolitan Drink

Expert Tips

FAQs

Cosmopolitan co*cktail Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

Recipe Notes

Recipe Nutrition

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FAQs

Cosmopolitan co*cktail Recipe - just 4 ingredients! - Crazy for Crust? ›

What is the best orange liqueur for a cosmopolitan? ›