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A classic vodka cocktail that's too often made with a heaping helping of cranberry juice, this cosmopolitan recipe brings the cranberry back in balance with its fellow ingredients for a crisp, tart drink.

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Ingredients
How to Make a Cosmopolitan Cocktail
Garnishing a Cosmopolitan
What to Serve with Cosmopolitan Cocktails
Try These Vodka Cocktails
Print the Recipe Card
Cosmopolitan

Cosmopolitan cocktails are an easy vodka cocktail to make at home. I love making these for friends who like ordering "vodka cranberry," since a Cosmo isn't too far off from that two ingredient drink but has a much fancier presentation.

The original recipe for the Cosmopolitan cocktail has very little cranberry juice in it. It's actually pale pink when served. But as the drink surged in popularity (thanks Sex & the City!), bars began adding in more and more cranberry juice.

If you're used to sipping Cosmos at the bar during a happy hour special, you're likely used to more cranberry juice than is in the original recipe. This recipe looks to bridge the gap and balance out the cranberry and vodka.

Ingredients

Vodka - Plain or citrus vodka works best in this drink.
Cranberry juice - Choose 100% juice for this recipe.
Triple sec - An inexpensive orange liqueur, triple sec is bringing both a little orange flavor and a little sweetness to this cocktail. Feel free to substitute Cointreau or Grand Marnier for the triple sec if you prefer.
Fresh lime - Fresh citrus is important for this recipe, so be sure to squeeze a fresh lime for your cocktail.

How to Make a Cosmopolitan Cocktail

Place vodka, cranberry juice, tripe sec, and fresh lime juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

Shake well and strain into a coupe or martini glass.

Garnish with a wedge of lime or float a few cranberries in the glass.

A hand squeezing a lime slice over a Cosmopolitan cocktail.

Enjoy!

Garnishing a Cosmopolitan

Most restaurants use a lime wedge, but I love using fresh cranberries because they look pretty and float nicely in the glass. Keep some in your freezer for easy garnish and a way to keep your cosmo chilled.

A glass of cosmopolitan cocktail with fresh cranberries in it.

What to Serve with Cosmopolitan Cocktails

I love serving salty snacks with this tart vodka cocktail. Enjoy your Cosmopolitan with my favorite bar mix - Slow Cooker Savory Spiced Nuts - full of garlic and rosemary.

Try These Vodka Cocktails

There are so many delicious cocktail that can be made with plain vodka. Shake up something beyond the traditional vodka soda!

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Cosmopolitan

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A classic vodka cocktail that's too often made with a heaping helping of cranberry juice. This cosmopolitan recipe brings the cranberry back in balance with its fellow ingredients for a crisp, tart drink.