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The classy Cosmopolitan drink – a mix of vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry and lime juice – is refreshing and elegant. Learn how to make the Classic Cosmo and a few tasty variations.
You will also love my p*rnstar Martini
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Published February 2015 | Updated December 2019
Ahhh the Cosmopolitan… A fave of Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradsaw and a hugely popular co*cktail in the 1990s as a result. The Cosmo was practically another character in that show, am I right?
These days ordering a Cosmopolitan is seen as little dated, a little passé… but this is actually a beautiful drink if made well.
There’s some debate about who’s the creator behind this co*cktail… Some say it was invented by a Florida bartender named Cheryl Cook.
Others maintain that the quintessential Cosmopolitan recipe comes courtesy of Dale DeGroff of New York’s Rainbow Room.
The first mention of ‘Cosmopolitan’ was back in 1934 – several drinks by that name appear in the book Pioneers of Mixing at Elite Bars. One of these drinks is very similar to current-day Cosmo drink.
Needless to say there’s endless variations of this drink – you will find some of my favourites below!
Ingredients
Vodka: In some versions this has to be lemon-flavoured bodka, such as Absolut Citron. I prefer to use Stolichnaya (a.k.a Stoli) or my own cranberry-infused vodka for the ultimate Cosmopolitan co*cktail!
Orange Liqueur: Triple Sec, Cointreau or (my preference) Grand Marnier. Some Cosmo versions made with Grand Marnier are called Grand Cosmopolitan (see also Grand Margarita).
Cranberry juice: Ocean Spray is the most commonly found. Try also Eager Cranberry Juice or Biona Organic Pure Pressed Cranberry Juice.
Lime juice: freshly squeezed, always!
Orange peel: strip of orange peel to garnish or flamed orange peel (dropped in the drink). Or you can use a lime wheel.
USEFUL EQUIPMENT
Here’s what you will need to make a this recipe – and most other shaken co*cktails.
Let’s make a Cosmopolitan!
STEP 1. Half fill your shaker with fresh ice. Put two Martini or coupe glasses in the freezer to chill.
STEP 2. Add the vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry and lime juice.
STEP 3. Shake hard for 30 seconds.
STEP 4. Double strain into your chilled glasses.
STEP 5. Garnish your Cosmo with a flamed orange peel (see below) a strip of orange peel or a lime wheel.
How to Flame an Orange Peel for co*cktails
STEP 1. Cut a small piece of orange peel, at least an inch long. Hold a safe distance over the glass with a match or lighter in your other hand.
STEP 2. Bend the orange peel to release a fine spray of bitter oils a short distance from the flame and watch them catch alight. Drop the peel into your glass and enjoy.
Cosmo Variations
Classic with a twist: add a teaspoon of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice to the classic ingredients.
Blood Orange: my citrusy twist includes fresh blood orange juice – see recipe card for details.
Ultimate Cosmo: Replace the vodka with cranberry infused vodka. This version is ruby-red and very intense. Perfect for Christmas!
Sparkling Cosmopolitan: top with Prosecco or Champagne and toast the New Year!
Try these classic vodka co*cktails
French Martini
Want to know how to make a French Martini? This popular co*cktail only requires three ingredients - vodka, pineapple juice and Chambord. I have included the classic French Martini recipe plus a couple of variations.
Read More
p*rnstar Martini
The p*rnstar Martini (a.k.a Maverick Martini, Passion Star Martini) is a passion fruit vodka co*cktail served with a shot of chilled Prosecco on the side. Delicious and photogenic!
Note: if you are using store-bought passion fruit puree you might need to add a bit less as commercial varieties can be very sweet!
Read More
Caipiroska
The Caipiroska is a twist on the popular Caipirinha - the national co*cktail of Brazil. A simple co*cktail, Caipiroska is made with muddled limes, sugar and vodka served with plenty of crushed ice. My fruity variation includes blackberries to create a vibrant co*cktail that is perfect for summer.
Read More
Have you made this recipe? Post a photo on my Facebook page, share it on Instagram, or save it to Pinterestwith the tag #supergoldenbakes. I can’t wait to see your take on it!
Cosmopolitan Drink { Cosmo co*cktail }
Lucy Parissi | Supergolden Bakes
The classy Cosmopolitan drink – a mix of vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry and lime juice – is refreshing and elegant. Learn how to make the Classic Cosmo and a few tasty variations.
4.37 from 11 votes
Print Rate
Course: co*cktail
Cuisine: Continental
Keyword: Blood orange cosmopolitan, Cosmo, Cosmo co*cktail Recipe, Cosmopolitan co*cktail, Cosmopolitan Drink
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 2
Calories: 154kcal
Ingredients
Classic Cosmopolitan
- 80 ml | ⅓ cup vodka or lemon vodka
- 2 tbsp Grand Marnier
- 60 ml | ¼ cup cranberry juice
- 1 tbsp lime juice or to taste
- orange peel to garnish
Blood Orange Cosmopolitan
- 120 ml | ½ cup freshly squeezed blood orange juice
- 60 ml | ¼ cup cranberry juice
- 80 ml | ⅓ cup vodka I used Żubrówka
- 60 ml | ¼ cup Cointreau
- dash orange bitters
- blood orange slices to garnish or orange peel
Instructions
Classic Cosmopolitan
Put two martini or coupe glasses in the freezer to chill.
Add all the ingredients to your co*cktail shaker together with a large handful of ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
Double strain into the two chilled glasses.
Cut a small piece of orange zest. Hold over the glass with a match or lighter in your other hand.
Bend the orange peel to release a fine spray of bitter oils a short distance from the flame and watch them catch alight. Drop the peel into your glass and enjoy.
Blood Orange Cosmopolitan
Put two martini or coupe glasses in the freezer to chill.
Add all the ingredients to your co*cktail shaker together with a large handful of ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
Double strain the co*cktail between the two glasses. Garnish with a ribbon of orange peel or a thin slice of blood orange.
Video
Notes
Cosmopolitan Variations
Classic with a twist: add a teaspoon of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice to the classic ingredients.
Ultimate Cosmo: Replace the vodka with cranberry infused vodka. This version is ruby-red and very intense. Perfect for Christmas!
Sparkling Cosmopolitan: top with Prosecco or Champagne and toast the New Year!
Nutritional Info
Calories: 154kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 23mg | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin C: 5mg
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