Cosmopolitan Cocktail (recipe No. 2)
Shake ∙ Coupe glass ∙ 3 min ∙ 19.7% ABV ∙
The Cosmopolitan is a vodka sour of citrus vodka, triple sec, cranberry and lime juice, shaken and served up — the pink martini-glass icon of the 1990s. Tart cranberry and lime lead, with orange-liqueur sweetness rounding the edges and a crisp, dry finish; a bright, up-served drink for cocktail hour.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake all ingredients with ice: Vodka 30 mlTriple sec 20 mlCitron vodka 15 mlCranberry juice 30 mlLime juice 15 ml
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Express an orange twist over the cocktail and float as garnish
Tips
- Shake hard for 10-15 seconds over ice — the drink should arrive icy cold and served up with no dilution warming it.
- Use fresh lime juice, not bottled cordial; the sharpness is what keeps the cranberry from tasting like juice.
- Add cranberry a little at a time — it is there for color and tartness, not to turn the drink sweet or dark red.
- Express an orange twist over the surface so its oils sit on top before you drop it in.
History
The Cosmopolitan's origin is disputed, with several competing claims. A drink called the "Cosmopolitan Daisy" appears in the 1934 book Pioneers of Mixing at Elite Bars 1903–1933, but it used gin. Bartender Neal Murray said he created a cranberry version in 1975 at the Cork & Cleaver in Minneapolis. Cocktail historian Gary Regan credited Cheryl Cook of the Strand Restaurant in South Beach, Florida, around 1985–1986, while John Caine is tied to its spread west through San Francisco fern bars. The internationally recognized version was mixed in 1989 by Toby Cecchini and Melissa Huffsmith-Roth at The Odeon in Manhattan. It became a phenomenon in the 1990s, boosted by Madonna and later Sex and the City.
FAQ
What is a Cosmopolitan made of?
A Cosmopolitan is made from vodka, triple sec (an orange liqueur), cranberry juice, and lime juice. This recipe also adds a measure of citron (lemon-flavored) vodka, which is the classic base popularized in the 1990s, giving four core ingredients plus the citrus vodka lift.
Is a Cosmopolitan shaken or stirred?
A Cosmopolitan is shaken. Shaking hard over ice chills it quickly and gives the drink its signature frothy, ice-cold texture before it is strained into a chilled glass and served up without ice.
What glass is a Cosmopolitan served in?
A Cosmopolitan is served up in a chilled cocktail glass, also called a martini glass. Serving it without ice in that stemmed glass is why the drink is sometimes mistaken for a type of martini.
Is a Cosmopolitan a strong drink?
A Cosmopolitan is moderately strong. Around 19.7% ABV, it is spirit-led but softened by the cranberry and lime juice, so it drinks lighter than a straight martini while still carrying a real vodka punch.
What is the secret to a great Cosmo?
The secret is balance and cold. Use fresh lime juice, add cranberry sparingly for tartness rather than sweetness, and shake hard so the drink arrives icy. Serving it well-chilled in a cold glass keeps it crisp instead of syrupy.
