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A classic vodka cocktail that's too often made with a heaping helping of cranberry juice, this cosmopolitan martini recipe brings the cranberry back in balance with its fellow ingredients for a crisp, tart drink.
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Cosmopolitan cocktails are an easy vodka cocktail to make at home, making ideal to serve for dinner parties, girls' nights, or even bridal showers. I love making these for friends who traditionally order a vodka cranberry since a Cosmo isn't too far off from that two ingredient drink but has a much fancier presentation.
Created in the 1980s by bartender Toby Cecchini, the classic Cosmopolitan recipe is made with citrus vodka, a high quality orange liqueur, fresh lime juice, and a small splash of cranberry juice. This recipe is actually a light pink color when served and looks nothing like the majority of cosmos you see served in restaurants today.
As the drink surged in popularity in the late 90s (thanks to Carrie Bradshaw and Sex & the City), bars began making it in pitchers and 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 the original recipe.
Made with simple ingredients easily found at your local liquor store, this cosmo recipe looks to balance out the cranberry and vodka making it more palatable for home mixologists while not completely throwing out the classic recipe. The result is a slightly sweeter drink that has less of a vodka bite and is more fruity than its original counterpart.
What's in a Cosmopolitan
- Vodka - Your favorite high quality vodka. Plain vodka or citrus vodka work best in this drink.
- Cranberry juice - Choose 100% cranberry juice for this recipe, not cranberry juice cocktail.
- Triple sec - An orange-flavored liqueur, triple sec is bringing both a little orange and a little sweetness to this cocktail. Feel free to substitute another orange liqueur like Cointreau or Grand Marnier, if you prefer.
- Limes - Fresh citrus is important for this recipe, so be sure to squeeze fresh limes for your cocktail. You'll need about half a lime per drink.
How to Make a Cosmopolitan Martini
Place vodka, cranberry juice, tripe sec, and fresh lime juice in a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice cubes.
Shake well and strain into a chilled coupe glass or chilled martini glass.
Note: To chill your martini glass, carefully fill it with ice cubes before you start making your drink. Set it aside while you shake up your cosmo. When you're ready to pour, dump out the ice cubes from the glass and strain your drink into your freshly chilled glass.
Garnish with a wedge of lime, lime wheel, or float a few whole cranberries in the glass.
Sip and enjoy!
Garnishing Your Cosmo
You can go the easy round with a small lime wedge or twist of lime. For something a bit different - especially if you're sipping your cosmo during the holidays - use fresh cranberries. They look and float nicely in the glass. Keep some in your freezer for easy garnish and a way to keep your cosmo chilled.
What to Serve with Cosmopolitan Cocktails
I love serving salty snacks with this tart vodka cocktail. Enjoy your Cosmopolitan martini 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 unflavored vodka. Shake up something beyond the traditional vodka soda with one of these vodka martinis! Try a pineapple martini with fresh citrus, a sweet peach pie martini, a classic lemon drop martini, or my super popular lavender lemon drop martini.
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Classic Cosmopolitan Martini Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- 2 oz cranberry juice 100% juice
- 1 oz orange liqueur or triple sec
- 0.5 oz lime juice fresh squeezed
Instructions
- Place vodka, cranberry juice, tripe sec, and fresh lime juice in a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice cubes.2 oz vodka, 2 oz cranberry juice, 1 oz orange liqueur, 0.5 oz lime juice
- Shake well and strain into a chilled coupe glass or chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with a wedge of lime, lime wheel, or float a few whole cranberries in the glass.
- Sip and enjoy!
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