The classic Cosmopolitan Drink is a beautiful addition to your next cocktail party. This ‘pretty in pink’ drink is a cinch to make and very popular.
We show you how to make the classic cosmopolitan Drink Recipe with a video demonstration and complete walkthrough.
More Cocktail Recipes:
Visit our Cocktail Section for Many more delicious alcoholic drink recipes.
Here’s a few to wet your appetite…
History of the Cosmo:
I enjoy digging around for the history of cocktails. This one, however, has a murky past.
The Cosmopolitan cocktail origins have been claimed by many. It may have started as early as the 1930s with a gin rather than vodka base. If that’s true this recipe has changed and morphed over the years (as many cocktail recipes do).
We found our recipe in the Ultimate Bar Book By Mittie Hellmich. Mittie has wandered the Bars of America and wrote her complete bar book based on the recipes she found on the ground. All over America.
We like the blend of ingredients and flavors in this Cosmo recipe. Mittie puts this one out as the original recipe. Let us know what you think. Enjoy!
Cosmopolitan Cocktail Ingredients:
Here’s the ingredients we chose for the cosmopolitan recipe. We also include brand links and ingredient substitutions for you.
Ingredients List:
- Absolut Citron Vodka –Want more drink recipes with Absolute? Check out their Drinks and Cocktails with Absolute Page.
- Cointreau Liqueur-Learn more ways to use your bottle of cointreau on their website
- Grenadine simple syrup-we bought ours on amazon.
- Cranberry Juice
- Fresh Lemon juice
Substitutions:
- Triple Sec can be substituted for the cointreau if that’s what you have on hand.
- Any cranberry juice or cranberry juice cocktail can be used. Choose your favorite to taste.
- We used Absolut vodka but you can use and citron vodka you prefer.
The Martini Glass:
Use a chilled cocktail glass for the Cosmo. it is served with no ice so start cold. Chill the glass for at least 15 minutes or so in your freezer or fridge.
The Proper glass choice for a Cosmo Drink is the Martini. Both stemless and stemmed martini glasses will show off this elegant drink.
The stemless are a bit less formal and possible more manageable for distributing on a party table.
However the classic elegance of the stemmed martini glass is called for at a more formal venu.
How to Make A Cosmopolitan:
Here’s a quick walkthrough of this simple drink recipe. The whole thing takes about 3 minutes.
Please also watch our video for a complete demonstration of making this classic cocktail.
These are easy to make in batches since you serve a Cosmo without ice. Just set them out and let your guests take them off a drink table.
Add ice to cocktail shaker measure the absolut and our in your shaker. pour in the cointreau Add the cranberry juice. squeeze the fresh lime juice directly into your shaker. Cover and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain the Cosmopolitan into your chilled Martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist. Serve it straight up. No ice.
Garnishes:
We chose a simple lemon twist for this classic cocktail. You may prefer to set a lime wedge or lemon wedge (or even an orange) on the side of your glass .
OR Use another citrus fruit instead of the lemon for a twist. It all fits the classic simple and elegant vibe of this drink.
Products From Amazon for This Cocktail Recipe:
Your Printable Recipe Card:
Cosmopolitan Cocktail Recipe with Video Demonstration
The classic cosmopolitan is a beautiful and easy drink to make. Serve this pretty and popular cocktail at your next party. Learn how to make it with our video demonstration.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz. Citron Vodka
- 1 1/2 oz. Cointreau
- 1 oz. fresh lime juice
- 1/4 oz. cranberry juice (enough to give it a bit of color)
Instructions
- Fill your cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the vodka
- Pour in the cointreau
- Add a couple dashes of cranberry juice
- Shake vigorously for 30 seconds or so.
- Strain through the cocktail shaker screen into your glass.
- Serve with a lemon twist on the side.
Notes
Garnishing:
We chose a simple lemon twist for this classic cocktail. You may prefer to set a lime wedge or lemon wedge (or even an orange) on the side of your glass .
OR Use another citrus fruit instead of the lemon for a twist. It all fits the classic simple and elegant vibe of this drink.
Substitutions:
- Any brand citron vodka is fine
- Any type of red cranberry juice will work
- You may use triple sec to replace the cointreau
Nutrition Information
Yield
1Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 238Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 2mgCarbohydrates 14gFiber 0gSugar 12gProtein 0g
Tag us on Instagram with your pictures at @homemadefoodjunkie. We’d love to see how you present this drink.