By: Becky Hardin
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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 co*cktail is one of my absolute favorites!
Table of Contents
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 co*cktail with a bright citrus flavor.
- Cointreau: Adds a sweet and slightly bitter orange flavor.
- Cranberry Juice: Gives this co*cktail its signature tart flavor and pinkish-red hue. I prefer to use 100% cranberry juice, but you can use cranberry juice co*cktail 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 co*cktail
There are a number of well-known variations on this classic co*cktail. 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.
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- 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 co*cktail) 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
Serving: 1drink Calories: 195kcal (10%) Carbohydrates: 13g (4%) Protein: 0.2g Fat: 0.1g Saturated Fat: 0.03g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.05g Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g Sodium: 3mg Potassium: 37mg (1%) Fiber: 0.1g Sugar: 12g (13%) Vitamin A: 15IU Vitamin C: 5mg (6%) Calcium: 3mg Iron: 0.1mg (1%)
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More Classic co*cktail Recipes We Love
- Tequila Sunrise
- Hot Toddy
- Pina Colada
- Hurricane
- Aperol Spritz
- Red Sangria
- Whiskey Sour
- Bloody Mary
- Margarita
- Mojito
- Sex on the Beach
What’s in a Cosmo?
This classic co*cktail consists of citrus vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice, and lime juice. Simple and delicious!
Why is it called a Cosmo?
While the origin of the co*cktail is widely disputed, allegedly, the first person to taste it exclaimed “How cosmopolitan!”
What vodka is best for a Cosmo?
The classic choice is a citrus vodka, but plain vodka will also work.
Is triple sec the same as Cointreau?
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.
How much alcohol is in a Cosmo?
That depends on the type of vodka you use. If you choose a standard 40% alcohol vodka, this co*cktail comes out to about 22% ABV. A stronger or weaker vodka will lead to a different ABV.
Is there a lot of sugar in a Cosmo?
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 co*cktail shaker with ice to refresh.
Serving Suggestions
These refreshing cosmos pair perfectly with finger foods like antipasto skewers, shrimp ceviche, goat cheese bruschetta, avocado egg rolls, 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
Recipe
Cosmo Recipe (for One or for a Crowd)
4.62 from 95 votes
Author: Becky Hardin
Prep: 5 minutes minutes
Total: 5 minutes minutes
Serves6 drinks
Print Rate
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This Cosmo recipe takes the classic co*cktail and makes it easy to serve at parties. Learn how to make a Cosmopolitan for one, or for a crowd!
Email This Recipe
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By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Cookie Rookie.
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 co*cktail (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 co*cktail shaker and shake each serving before pouring into a martini glass.
Garnish with a flaming orange wedge. (see note)
6 Orange zest twists
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
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 co*cktail) 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
Serving: 1drink Calories: 195kcal (10%) Carbohydrates: 13g (4%) Protein: 0.2g Fat: 0.1g Saturated Fat: 0.03g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.05g Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g Sodium: 3mg Potassium: 37mg (1%) Fiber: 0.1g Sugar: 12g (13%) Vitamin A: 15IU Vitamin C: 5mg (6%) Calcium: 3mg Iron: 0.1mg (1%)
Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!
Upload A PhotoTag on
InstaLeave A Rating
More Classic co*cktail Recipes We Love
- Tequila Sunrise
- Hot Toddy
- Pina Colada
- Hurricane
- Aperol Spritz
- Red Sangria
- Whiskey Sour
- Bloody Mary
- Margarita
- Mojito
- Sex on the Beach
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