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The Perfect Cosmo | Cosmopolitan Cocktail Recipe & Variations

December 16, 2019 by Lucy Parissi 14 Comments

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The classy Cosmopolitan drink – a mix of vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry and lime juice – is refreshing and elegant. Learn how to make the Classic Cosmo and a few tasty variations.

You will also love my Pornstar Martini

Post may contain affiliate links. For more information, check my disclosure

Cosmopolitan drink in a coupe glass
Published February 2015 | Updated December 2019

Ahhh the Cosmopolitan… A fave of  Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradsaw and a hugely popular cocktail in the 1990s as a result. The Cosmo was practically another character in that show, am I right?

These days ordering a Cosmopolitan is seen as little dated, a little passé… but this is actually a beautiful drink if made well.

There’s some debate about who’s the creator behind this cocktail… Some say it was invented by a Florida bartender named Cheryl Cook.

Others maintain that the quintessential Cosmopolitan recipe comes courtesy of Dale DeGroff of New York’s Rainbow Room. 

The first mention of ‘Cosmopolitan’ was back in 1934 – several drinks by that name appear in the book Pioneers of Mixing at Elite Bars. One of these drinks is very similar to current-day Cosmo drink.

Needless to say there’s endless variations of this drink – you will find some of my favourites below!

Cosmopolitan cocktail in a champagne coupe garnished with fresh cranberries

Ingredients

Vodka: In some versions this has to be lemon-flavoured bodka, such as Absolut Citron. I prefer to use Stolichnaya (a.k.a Stoli) or my own cranberry-infused vodka for the ultimate Cosmopolitan cocktail!

Orange Liqueur: Triple Sec, Cointreau or (my preference) Grand Marnier. Some Cosmo versions made with Grand Marnier are called Grand Cosmopolitan (see also Grand Margarita).

Cranberry juice: Ocean Spray is the most commonly found. Try also Eager Cranberry Juice or Biona Organic Pure Pressed Cranberry Juice.

Lime juice: freshly squeezed, always! 

Orange peel: strip of orange peel to garnish or flamed orange peel (dropped in the drink). Or you can use a lime wheel.

Cosmopolitan Ingredients: vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry juice and lime

USEFUL EQUIPMENT

Here’s what you will need to make a this recipe – and most other shaken cocktails.

  • Cocktail shaker
  • Jigger
  • Mexican elbow 
  • Strainer
  • Martini or coupe glasses

Let’s make a Cosmopolitan!

STEP 1. Half fill your shaker with fresh ice. Put two Martini or coupe glasses in the freezer to chill.

Adding ice to cocktail shaker

STEP 2. Add the vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry and lime juice.

adding cranberry juice to cocktail shaker

STEP 3. Shake hard for 30 seconds.

STEP 4. Double strain into your chilled glasses.

Straining a Cosmopolitan into chilled cocktail glass

STEP 5. Garnish your Cosmo with a flamed orange peel (see below) a strip of orange peel or a lime wheel.

Cosmopolitan in a festive setting

How to Flame an Orange Peel for Cocktails

STEP 1. Cut a small piece of orange peel, at least an inch long. Hold a safe distance over the glass with a match or lighter in your other hand. 

Preparing to make a flaming orange peel

STEP 2. Bend the orange peel to release a fine spray of bitter oils a short distance from the flame and watch them catch alight. Drop the peel into your glass and enjoy.

Flaming orange peel for Cosmo Drink

Cosmo Variations

Classic with a twist: add a teaspoon of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice to the classic ingredients.

Blood Orange: my citrusy twist includes fresh blood orange juice – see recipe card for details.

Ultimate Cosmo: Replace the vodka with cranberry infused vodka. This version is ruby-red and very intense. Perfect for Christmas!

Sparkling Cosmopolitan: top with Prosecco or Champagne and toast the New Year!

Blood Orange Cosmopolitan

Try these classic vodka cocktails

French Martini

Want to know how to make a French Martini? This popular cocktail only requires three ingredients - vodka, pineapple juice and Chambord. I have included the classic French Martini recipe plus a couple of variations.
Read More
Straining a French Martini into a cocktail glass

Pornstar Martini

The Pornstar Martini (a.k.a Maverick Martini, Passion Star Martini) is a passion fruit vodka cocktail served with a shot of chilled Prosecco on the side. Delicious and photogenic!
Note: if you are using store-bought passion fruit puree you might need to add a bit less as commercial varieties can be very sweet!
Read More
Adding a slice of passion fruit to a Porn Star Martini

Caipiroska

The Caipiroska is a twist on the popular Caipirinha - the national cocktail of Brazil. A simple cocktail, Caipiroska is made with muddled limes, sugar and vodka served with plenty of crushed ice. My fruity variation includes blackberries to create a vibrant cocktail that is perfect for summer.
Read More
Blackberry Caipiroska in a rocks glass with crushed ice garnished by blackberries

Have you made this recipe? Post a photo on my Facebook page, share it on Instagram, or save it to Pinterest with the tag #supergoldenbakes. I can’t wait to see your take on it!

Cosmopolitan Drink { Cosmo Cocktail }

Lucy Parissi | Supergolden Bakes
The classy Cosmopolitan drink – a mix of vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry and lime juice – is refreshing and elegant. Learn how to make the Classic Cosmo and a few tasty variations.
4.3 from 10 votes
Print Rate
Course: Cocktail
Cuisine: Continental
Keyword: Blood orange cosmopolitan, Cosmo, Cosmo Cocktail Recipe, Cosmopolitan Cocktail, Cosmopolitan Drink
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2
Calories: 154kcal

Ingredients

Classic Cosmopolitan

  • 80 ml | ⅓ cup vodka or lemon vodka
  • 2 tbsp Grand Marnier
  • 60 ml | ¼ cup cranberry juice
  • 1 tbsp lime juice or to taste
  • orange peel to garnish

Blood Orange Cosmopolitan

  • 120 ml | ½ cup freshly squeezed blood orange juice
  • 60 ml | ¼ cup cranberry juice
  • 80 ml | ⅓ cup vodka I used Żubrówka
  • 60 ml | ¼ cup Cointreau
  • dash orange bitters
  • blood orange slices to garnish or orange peel

Instructions

Classic Cosmopolitan

  • Put two martini or coupe glasses in the freezer to chill.
  • Add all the ingredients to your cocktail shaker together with a large handful of ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
  • Double strain into the two chilled glasses.
  • Cut a small piece of orange zest. Hold over the glass with a match or lighter in your other hand.
  • Bend the orange peel to release a fine spray of bitter oils a short distance from the flame and watch them catch alight. Drop the peel into your glass and enjoy.

Blood Orange Cosmopolitan

  • Put two martini or coupe glasses in the freezer to chill.
  • Add all the ingredients to your cocktail shaker together with a large handful of ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
  • Double strain the cocktail between the two glasses. Garnish with a ribbon of orange peel or a thin slice of blood orange.

Video

Notes

Cosmopolitan Variations
Classic with a twist: add a teaspoon of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice to the classic ingredients.
Ultimate Cosmo: Replace the vodka with cranberry infused vodka. This version is ruby-red and very intense. Perfect for Christmas!
Sparkling Cosmopolitan: top with Prosecco or Champagne and toast the New Year!

Nutritional Info

Calories: 154kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 23mg | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin C: 5mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @supergolden88 or tag #supergoldenbakes!
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Comments

  1. Rosie alittlelusciousness says

    March 03, 2015 at 4:48 pm

    Love these. I make blood orange cocktails for my pop up restaurants, and use blood orange which I make into a syrup, mixed with vodka and prosecco – so good (and strong!)

    Rosie xx

    Reply
    • Howard says

      December 05, 2021 at 10:32 pm

      Where do you get blood orange juice on east coast of U.S.?

      Reply
  2. Thalia @ butter and brioche says

    March 01, 2015 at 5:51 am

    You've got me craving a cocktail right now Lucy. These look divine!

    Reply
  3. Luca Marchiori says

    February 28, 2015 at 10:52 am

    Passé or not, the Cosmo is one of only two cocktails I make and drink on a regular basis—the other is the Margarita. I have a stock of blood oranges I was saving for a tarte aux agrumes but having seen this, they might not last the evening. BEAUTIFUL photos.

    Reply
  4. Gemma says

    February 27, 2015 at 10:54 pm

    The pictures are SO beautiful! I love the vibrant red colors, almost hypnotizing! I've seen some pictures of your finished kitchen on Instagram and it looks amazing, I'm in love with the tiles.
    You just gave me the perfect excuse to use a bunch of lonely blood oranges I've had in my kitchen all week.

    xoxox

    Reply
  5. Kat BakingExplorer says

    February 27, 2015 at 10:21 pm

    LOVE the colour! So vibrant!

    Reply
  6. Julia@Vikalinka says

    February 27, 2015 at 9:28 pm

    LOL I swear I read your post but somehow I didn't see the vital part! LOL I feel like such loser right now. hahaha

    Reply
    • Lucy Parissi says

      March 01, 2015 at 6:22 pm

      Newsflash: found blood oranges at Sainsbury's today #happy

      Reply
  7. Kate Glutenfreealchemist says

    February 27, 2015 at 9:10 pm

    Your photography is always just stunning Lucy! Do you run photography courses? If you don't…. you should! Lovely cocktail. Lovely pics!

    Reply
  8. Julia@Vikalinka says

    February 27, 2015 at 7:37 pm

    I would totally go for one right now, especially if made by you, my friend! Making a Cosmo with blood oranges is making them fresh and hip again. 😉 By the way, where did you buy yours? I am obsessed with blood oranges but don't see them anywhere this year. Mind you, I haven't had much time to shop around but still…what's your secret spot?

    Reply
    • Lucy Parissi says

      February 27, 2015 at 8:41 pm

      The answer is in the post – Ocado! I too was looking for them everywhere and was thrilled to find them online. I would totally make cocktails for us – though may be easier to actually go out when you aren't so crazy busy.

      Reply
  9. Jennie Cranham says

    February 27, 2015 at 7:34 pm

    Gorgeous! I was just drinking blood orange cosmopolitans on Saturday night. They're so good aren't they! I just can't get enough of blood oranges at the moment x

    Reply
    • Lucy Parissi says

      February 27, 2015 at 8:42 pm

      I haven't had a Cosmo in at least a decade – but these are amazing. I am addicted!

      Reply
  10. Keep Calm and Fanny On says

    February 27, 2015 at 5:24 pm

    Oh yesssss please!

    Reply

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HEY, NICE TO MEET YOU!

Picture of Lucy ParissiHi, I am Lucy Parissi, the recipe developer, food  photographer and author behind Supergolden Bakes. If you are looking for easy sweet and savoury recipes that are packed with flavour you have come to the right place!  READ MORE

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