• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Mitten Girl
  • Cocktails
  • Mocktails
  • Recipes
  • Book/Classes
  • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Cocktails
  • Mocktails
  • Recipes
  • Book/Classes
  • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Cocktails
    • Mocktails
    • Recipes
    • Book/Classes
    • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Cocktail Recipes

    Classic Cosmopolitan Vodka Cocktail

    Published: Sep 10, 2020 · Updated: Oct 31, 2023 by Katy McAvoy

    I love when you share my recipes!

    • 6

    This post contains affiliate links (paid links).

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·Leave a Review

    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.

    Cosmopolitan
    Jump to:
    • 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

    Ingredients for Cosmopolitan cocktails.
    • 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.

    Vodka pouring into a cocktail shaker

    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.

    Savory Spiced Nuts

    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!

    • A copper mug filled with moscow mule cocktail and a lime floating on top.
      Classic Moscow Mule Cocktail
    • Pineapple Vodka Martini
      Bright and Refreshing Pineapple Vodka Martini with Citrus
    • Peach Pie Martini
      Delicious Sweet and Summery Peach Pie Martini
    • A glass filled with lavender lemon drop martini.
      Easy Lavender Lemon Drop Martini with Vodka

    Print the Recipe Card

    Print

    Cosmopolitan

    Cosmopolitan
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    ★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆

    No reviews

    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.

    • Author: Katy McAvoy
    • Prep Time: 5 min
    • Cook Time: 0 min
    • Total Time: 5 min
    • Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
    • Category: Cocktails
    • Method: Cocktail Shaker
    • Cuisine: American

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 2 oz vodka
    • 2 oz cranberry juice
    • 1 oz triple sec
    • 0.5 oz fresh lime juice

    Instructions

    Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

    Shake well and strain into a martini glass.

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

    Enjoy!

    Equipment

    Image of 3 Piece Cocktail Shaker

    3 Piece Cocktail Shaker

    Buy Now →
    Image of Coupe Glasses

    Coupe Glasses

    Buy Now →
    Image of Jigger Measure

    Jigger Measure

    Buy Now →
    Image of Martini Glasses

    Martini Glasses

    Buy Now →

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 cocktail
    • Calories: 271
    • Sugar: 18.3 g
    • Sodium: 5.8 mg
    • Fat: 0.2 g
    • Carbohydrates: 19.9 g
    • Fiber: 0.1 g
    • Protein: 0.2 g
    • Cholesterol: 0 mg

    Keywords: cranberry, lime juice, cosmo, cosmopolitan, vodka cocktails, cocktail

    Did you make this recipe?

    Leave it a five star review! And don't forget to share a photo and tag me @katymcavoy on Instagram. I can’t wait to see what you made!

    Cocktail Recipes

    • A coupe glass filled with gingerbread martini cocktail.
      Gingerbread Martini Recipe (Easy Christmas Cocktail)
    • A cocktail bar and mocktail bar set up.
      How to Build a DIY Cocktail Bar and Mocktail Bar
    • Copper mugs filled with cranberry moscow mule cocktail, garnished with lime slices and fresh cranberries.
      Cranberry Moscow Mule (Quick Recipe)
    • DIY Cocktail Kit for an Apple French 75
      How to Make Cocktail Kits and Mocktail Kits for Holiday Gift Giving

    I love when you share my recipes!

    • 6

    About Katy McAvoy

    Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com. Since 2017, she's been crafting easy-to-make cocktails and delicious meals, along with sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆

    Primary Sidebar

    Katy McAvoy

    Hi! I’m Katy (she/her). I’m an author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, Michigander, and lover of all things food and drink. I never turn down a good happy hour and believe that a couple hours of meal prep pays off for days. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

    Search

    Buy Homemade Happy Hour, a Cocktail Book

    Weekly Newsletter

    Join my email list and get my 5 CLASSIC COCKTAILS EBOOK sent to you immediately!

    Sign Up Now

    Subscribers receive delicious recipes in their inbox each week.

    Christmas Recipes

    • Candy Cane Martini
      The Perfect Candy Cane Martini for Christmas
    • Honey, Walnut, and Goat Cheese Phyllo Cup Appetizers
      Honey, Walnut, and Goat Cheese Phyllo Cup Appetizers
    • 9 Easy Non-Alcoholic Christmas Mocktail Recipes
    • Whipped Ricotta and Pumpkin Pinwheels Holiday Appetizer.
      Savory Ricotta and Pumpkin Pinwheels (Holiday Appetizer)
    • A coupe glass filled with gingerbread martini cocktail.
      Gingerbread Martini Recipe (Easy Christmas Cocktail)
    • Cranberry Gin Cocktail
      Simple Cranberry Gin Christmas Cocktail

    Most Searched Recipes

    • BBQ Meatballs in a bowl, garnished with parsley.
      Easy 15 Minute Stove Top BBQ Meatballs
    • A glass filled with lavender lemon drop martini.
      Easy Lavender Lemon Drop Martini with Vodka
    • Cranberry Mocktail
      Easy Mocktail Recipes for Non-Alcoholic Drinks
    • Tomato Rice and Beans
      Easy Tomato Rice and Beans on the Stove Top
    • Glass filled with mocktail drink and garnished with a cherry and orange slice.
      Easy and Delicious Mocktail for Kids (Without Sugary Soda)
    • DIY Cocktail Kit for an Apple French 75
      How to Make Cocktail Kits and Mocktail Kits for Holiday Gift Giving
    • Non Alcoholic Piña Colada Mocktails
      Piña Colada Mocktail Recipe (Without a Blender)
    • Apple Old Fashioned
      Apple Cider Old Fashioned Bourbon Cocktail
    • A cocktail bar and mocktail bar set up.
      How to Build a DIY Cocktail Bar and Mocktail Bar
    • Apple Vodka Moscow Mules
      Three Ingredient Apple Moscow Mule Recipe

    Footer

    Website

    Privacy Policy

    Disclaimer

    Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    Sign Up! for weekly emails

    Contact

    Work with Me

    Contact Me

    As an Amazon Associate and Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Mitten Girl LLC

    15 shares
    • 6