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This Cosmo Recipe is the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and tart. Learn how to make a Cosmopolitan for yourself or for a whole party! This classic cocktail is one of my absolute favorites!
What’s in this Cosmopolitan Recipe?
This Cosmo recipe has just the right balance of sweet, sour, and tart ingredients. You can make a whole pitcher, set it in the refrigerator until party time, and then shake and serve each one individually! So much easier than making one drink at a time while the party is already underway.
- Citrus Vodka: Infuses the cocktail with a bright citrus flavor.
- Cointreau: Adds a sweet and slightly bitter orange flavor.
- Cranberry Juice: Gives this cocktail its signature tart flavor and pinkish-red hue. I prefer to use 100% cranberry juice, but you can use cranberry juice cocktail for a sweeter flavor.
- Lime Juice: Adds a tangy and slightly sour note.
Pro Tip: Garnish with a flamed orange peel for the perfect presentation!
Variations on a Cosmopolitan Cocktail
There are a number of well-known variations on this classic cocktail. Make the classic recipe, then give some of these twists a try:
- White Cosmo: Swap out the cranberry juice for white cranberry juice.
- Cosmobellini: Add some prosecco for a bubbly take!
- Cosmocello: Swap out the lime juice for limoncello.
- French Cosmopolitan: Swap out the Cointreau for Grand Marnier and add a dash of grenadine.
This classic cocktail consists of citrus vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice, and lime juice. Simple and delicious!
While the origin of the cocktail is widely disputed, allegedly, the first person to taste it exclaimed “How cosmopolitan!”
The classic choice is a citrus vodka, but plain vodka will also work.
Cointreau is a type of triple sec. Triple sec refers to a category of dry orange liqueurs. Other common brands include Grand Marnier and Curacao.
That depends on the type of vodka you use. If you choose a standard 40% alcohol vodka, this cocktail comes out to about 22% ABV. A stronger or weaker vodka will lead to a different ABV.
There are 12 grams of sugar in each drink.
How to Store
If making a pitcher of cosmos, mix the ingredients together and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Shake individual servings in a cocktail shaker with ice to refresh.
Serving Suggestions
These refreshing cosmos pair perfectly with finger foods like antipasto skewers, bacon wrapped dates, or jalapeno poppers.
For an entrée, choose light and refreshing orange glazed salmon or cilantro lime shrimp scampi.
5-Star Review
“This is my go to recipe whenever making Cosmos for a crowd! Just made this for a party tomorrow Everyone always loves it Thanks for a great recipe!” – Laura
Cosmo Recipe (for One or for a Crowd)
Ingredients
For an Individual Drink
- 1 ounce citrus vodka
- ¾ ounce Cointreau
- ½ ounce 100% cranberry juice
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 orange zest twist or orange wheel, for garnish
For a Pitcher (6 Servings)
- 1 cup citrus vodka
- ¾ cup Cointreau
- ½ cup 100% cranberry juice
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 6 Orange zest twists 1 per cocktail (see note)
Instructions
For Individual Servings
- Add all the ingredients except orange peel to a shaker and fill with ice.1 ounce citrus vodka, ¾ ounce Cointreau, ½ ounce 100% cranberry juice, ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Shake, and strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass.
- Garnish with a flamed orange peel or orange wheel. (see note)1 orange zest twist
For a Crowd (6 servings)
- Stir all ingredients except orange peel into a large pitcher.1 cup citrus vodka, ¾ cup Cointreau, ½ cup 100% cranberry juice, ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- When ready to serve, add ice to a cocktail shaker and shake each serving before pouring into a martini glass.
- Garnish with a flaming orange wedge. (see note)6 Orange zest twists
Becky’s Tips
- Make sure you shake and serve each drink individually, even if you make it in a pitcher beforehand. That is an important step to a good Cosmo.
- Serving in a chilled glass makes all the difference.
- If you really want to perfect it, make sure you try making the Flamed Orange Peel (click to watch video)!
- For every serving, cut a 1×2-inch slice of peel off an orange (try to get just a small amount of orange pith on the slice). Hold a lit match under the peel (with the orange side of the peel directly over the cocktail) and squeeze the peel until a small amount of orange oil is released. The oil will flame very quickly and then die down. Drop the orange peel in the cosmopolitan and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
Always good! and a real crowd pleaser for sure – even with a little club soda or sparkling water to make it go further. Best recipe ever!
Made these today for 8…used triple sec as out of Cointreau…so great! 100% cranberry was perfect. Not overly sweet. Loved!
This is my go to recipe whenever making Cosmos for a crowd! Just made this for a party tomorrow Everyone always loves it Thanks for a great recipe!
Hi there. I am interested in making this for group setting. How long will it stay good for? I plan on using a save Bacardi bottle. Thank you.
We recommend making these cosmos the morning of for the best taste. You can store them for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, though!
What kind of cranberry juice? Sweetened, unsweetened, cranberry juice cocktail?
What you prefer for your taste!
Try Ocean Spray Pure or another brand of REAL…100% Cranberry Juice it will give you a fresher tasting cocktail. I would avoid the ones that say just “100% juice”…those usually have apple juice in them and it completely changes the taste.
All my friends are going to pretend that they discovered this amazing recipe.
Enjoy!