Travel to the '90s with this Cosmopolitan cocktail recipe! This classic vodka and cranberry juice drink may be retro, but it's still refreshing and delicious.
If you, like me, have seen every episode of Sex and the City, you have to learn how to make a Cosmopolitan cocktail, or Cosmo for short. This tart, refreshing vodka drink is a hallmark of the show, and when you watch Carrie and friends sip enough of them, you can’t help but want to try one.
Below, I’m sharing my go-to Cosmopolitan recipe, which is perfect for dinner parties, girls’ nights, and binge watching the Sex and the City reboot (who else is tuning in for season 2 this week?!). It has a gorgeous blush pink color and a sweet and tangy taste. Sure, a classic Cosmo is a little 1990s. But it’s also delicious. Cheers!
What’s in a Cosmopolitan Cocktail?
The Cosmo cocktail as we know it today evolved from a 1930s drink, the Cosmopolitan 1934. Its ingredients included gin, Cointreau, and lemon juice, and raspberry syrup gave it its pink color.
New York City bartender Toby Cecchini is commonly cited as the creator of the modern Cosmopolitan. He developed the vodka and cranberry juice cocktail in the late 1980s using Absolut Citron vodka, a citrus-flavored vodka that was new on the market at the time.
Here’s what’s in a classic Cosmopolitan cocktail:
- 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.
- Fresh lime juice – It gives the drink a bright, tangy finish.
Find my Cosmopolitan recipe with measurements below.
How to Make a Cosmopolitan Cocktail
This Cosmopolitan recipe is super simple to make!
- Add the vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice, and lime juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake until well chilled.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, and enjoy.
So easy!
How to Serve This Cosmopolitan Recipe
A Cosmo is traditionally served in a coupe or martini glass, but of course, you can use whatever type of glass you like.
An orange or lemon twist is a classic garnish. If you’re still working on your citrus twisting skills, an untwisted piece of zest will work great instead. Just peel a strip of zest from an orange or lemon using a vegetable peeler. Careful not to cut off too much of the white pith!
Make this Cosmo recipe for a happy hour or dinner party, a girls’ night in, or any celebration. It’s vibrant, refreshing, and retro in a fun way. I hope you love it!
More Classic Cocktail Recipes
If you loved learning how to make a Cosmopolitan, try one of these classic cocktail recipes next:
- Classic Margarita
- Paloma Cocktail
- Mojito
- Mint Julep
- Red Sangria
- Peach Bellini
- Classic Mimosa
- Old Fashioned Cocktail
Cosmopolitan Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce Cointreau
- 1 ounce cranberry juice
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- Ice
- Orange twist
Instructions
- Place the vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until well chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, traditionally a coupe or martini glass
- Garnish with an orange twist.
Yummy!!
This is the best Cosmo recipe. Balanced and delicious!
So glad you love it, Marcia!
Hi….
How would you make this if serving as a punch for a party?
Orange juice ice ring?
Thx
Have you ever used bottled lime juice or just fresh, was just wondering cause I’m making a large party server jar.
Hi Chris, we’ve only made this with fresh lime juice—it has a brighter flavor. If needed, you could try using bottled lime juice for a large batch. Just be sure to taste and adjust to find a good balance of flavors.
Delish and love that there isn’t any simple syrup in it. Well balanced and yummy.
So glad you loved it, Deb!
I love the twisty orange peel!
Personally I think that’s too high vodka ratio, too medicinal!!
Try 2:1:2:1 as per yr ingredient list (more cranberry).
thank you for this beautiful reminder of one of my favorites, will have to save this idea for later in the week during cocktail hour, and make sure I have all of the ingredients!