The Cosmopolitan became a bar staple in the late ’90s and is still one of the most-requested cocktails. It is a bright, tart, pink vodka cocktail with crisp citrus, a hint of cranberry and a flamed orange twist.
Its appeal is the balance: tart lime, orange liqueur and just enough cranberry to turn it pale pink. Fresh lime juice makes the biggest difference, so skip bottled.
Ingredients
- 1½ fl oz citrus vodka (or plain vodka)
- ¾ fl oz Cointreau or triple sec
- ½ fl oz fresh lime juice
- ¾ fl oz cranberry juice cocktail
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 orange peel strip, for garnish
Method
- Fill a martini or coupe glass with ice water and set it aside while you mix.
- Add the vodka, Cointreau, lime juice and cranberry juice to a cocktail shaker.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake hard until the outside is frosty cold.
- Dump the ice water from the glass, then double-strain the cocktail into it.
- Express the orange peel over the drink by squeezing it skin-side down, rub it on the rim and drop it in. For extra flair, briefly warm the peel over a lit match before squeezing to flame the oils.
Kitchen Tip
Keep the cranberry light — the drink should be pale pink, not red.
For a mocktail, swap the vodka and Cointreau for 2 oz soda water plus a splash of orange juice.
For variations, use white cranberry juice for a “White Cosmo,” or add a splash of elderflower liqueur.
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