Why would you want to drink anything other than the World’s Best Cosmopolitan Cocktail? The only thing girly about this cosmo drink is its color.
Cosmo Recipe
It might seem a little cocky of me to call this the World’s Best Cosmopolitan Cocktail, but you’re going to have to trust me on this one. Or make it yourself to confirm this is the best cosmo recipe. It’s so refreshing, you just might never drink a different cocktail again.
Related: Dirty Shirley ~ The New York Times Drink of Summer!
I have been messing with this cosmopolitan recipe for years. Sure, there are the classic ingredients when it comes to a signature cosmo, but when it comes to making cocktails, it’s all about concentrating on the details. Little things matter.
The only problem with being able to make a great cosmopolitan cocktail at home, is how disappointing they taste when you’re out at a bar; they are too sweet, too little alcohol or too sharp tasting. Obviously the better bars and restaurants have better bartenders, but man do they hold back on that alcohol, even for you eighteen dollar drink.
One of the easiest ways to make your cocktails taste great is by using top shelf alcohol. There is a huge difference between a bottle of five dollar vodka and forty dollar vodka. And the five dollar vodka will leave you not feeling the greatest.
Your vodka for a cosmopolitan must be a citron version, unflavored vodka will not cut it. Also, stop using triple sec in a cosmopolitan recipe, it has such a sharp taste. Upgrade your bar cabinet with Cointreau and you will never use anything else in your drinks. I even use Cointreau in my mojito and my Hemingway Daiquiri because it makes the drink so FABULOUS! Cointreau is smooth and magical, with a lovely orange nuance.
Cosmopolitan Drink
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Fresh limes are a key ingredient in the list of cosmopolitan cocktail ingredients and one thing I cannot live without in my kitchen is my citrus press. It squeezes your lemons and limes to almost dry. It’s not even possible to get as much juice out when you squeeze with your hands. Even the driest lime will yields lots of juice with this press. And this tool lasts for years and years.
Cosmopolitan Drink Garnish
A small drink garnish in your cocktail is a nice detail to any drink. With a cosmopolitan I always add an orange peel. This particular zester makes large peels or thin zest, without going into the fruit’s pith.
The orange also leaves a bit of a scent that is picked up by the nose while drinking. It’s a must!
A cosmopolitan cocktail needs to be icy cold. And while this drink is shaken vigorously in ice, it benefits from an icy finish in the glass and you don’t want to add regular sized ice cubes.
This is where a high performance blender comes in and the reason they are pricey. You can crush ice to snow cone consistency in 10 seconds.
The crushed ice is then added to a Ziploc freezer bag and kept in my freezer to scoop out when making cocktails. The ice will stick together, but it breaks up easily.
The blender is worth it and it’s ice-crushing abilities undoubtedly make a difference in this drink.
In a pinch, you can smash some ice with a meat mallet in a Ziploc bag. It won’t be the same as finely pulverized ice, but you can get by.
How gorgeous is this cocktail? And even though it’s girly pink, the drink itself has a decent amount of alcohol, so even the men love this one.
Normally guys would never order a cosmo in a bar, since it’s often pretty weak, but all the males ask for this one all the time when visiting my home.
However, this refreshing drink still remains a favorite cocktail at my house.
If you’re have a gender reveal party or a baby shower, this drink couldn’t be more perfect.
Serve this cosmopolitan alongside this blue drink if appropriate for the perfect girl-boy combo.
This cosmopolitan is also a welcome beverage at bridal showers, graduation and birthday celebrations.
After you shake the drink vigorously in a shaker, scoop in the tiny ice for the perfect ending touch.
It’s little things, like the addition of crushed ice, that make this cocktail one of the best.
How many of you started drinking cosmopolitan’s after watching that famous New York based drama with Carrie Bradshaw?
I miss that show, but at least we have the drinks.
The perfect girl’s night is reruns of the show and big batch of these cosmopolitans’.
I feel a girl’s night coming on?
Cheers everyone…let me know when you make this.
So many cocktails, so little time. This Blue Hawaii Cocktail has me dreaming of the islands. And who doesn’t need a Peach Margarita right about now? However, this Blueberry Margarita has me craving spring and blueberry season. And give this Negroni recipe a try soon, it’s my favorite, as well as this lemon drop martini.
World's Best Cosmopolitan Cocktail
Equipment
Ingredients
Cosmo Recipe:
- 2.5 oz citron vodka (do not substitute plain vodka)
- 1.0 oz Cointreau
- 1.0 oz cranberry juice cocktail
- 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
- finely crushed ice
- orange peel for garnish
Instructions
Cosmo Recipe:
- Add vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice and fresh lime juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously until very cold. Strain into a cold martini glass and finish of with a scoop of very finely, crushed ice. Garnish with an orange peel.2.5 oz citron vodka (do not substitute plain vodka), 1.0 oz Cointreau, 1.0 oz cranberry juice cocktail, 0.5 oz fresh lime juice, finely crushed ice, orange peel for garnish
Notes
Nutrition
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David E Richey says
” And the five dollar vodka will leave you not feeling so great. “…I am curious where did you get this?
Cathy says
Cheap stuff is generally more likely to be low-quality. Congeners or fusil oils, are a byproduct of the mash fermentation process ~they are impurities. There are hundreds of types of congeners, some are higher-order alcohols (i.e. non-ethanol) that our bodies can’t and don’t really process. Essentially, our bodies treat them as a poison, and a headache is a very common symptom of poison processing. Different people are better or worse at metabolizing and flushing these toxins.
Because all alcoholic beverages begin with fermentation, any type of alcohol may have congeners. Because cheaper alcoholic beverages begin with lower-quality ingredients, more congeners are likely to be produced at the fermentation stage. One of my favorite vodka’s is Tito’s, it is distilled six times. If you are buying bottom-shelf vodka, you’ll be lucky if it was distilled twice. Scientific evidence supports splurging on the good stuff.
Montana Green says
Some bottom vodkas are distilled 5 times and are labeled as such on the bottle. I still prefer the quality of higher brands for flavour.
Rachel (S[d]OC) says
Now that you mentioned the pink drink/blue drink thing, you owe us a Blue Hawaiaan recipe. 🙂
You definitely didn’t go light on the alcohol here. I’ve had cosmos that were red. This is almost blush. I’m getting pleasantly tipsty jut looking at it.
Now you made me want that lime squisher too!
Cathy says
I’ll have to work on that! And the juice press is amazing. I take it with me on all vacations where I have a kitchen. Ha.
Anna @ Garnish with Lemon says
I’ll be on the next plane for girls night if you promise me one of these beauties. 🙂 Love the tip about the shaved/crushed ice. Keeping my cocktail cold enough is always an issue for me. Can’t wait to try this suggestion!
Cathy says
Sounds good Lisa! And yes…when certain cocktails aren’t cold enough, it’s the worst. This is great.
Denise poole says
What brand of blender for crushed ice do you use?
Cathy says
The blender I use is linked in the post.
Rhonda Jenkins says
When I used to bartend I would chill the martini glass before I would pour the cosmopolitan in the glass. As soon as a request was made for a cosmo I would take the martini glass and fill it with ice, put some water in it and have it sit on the bar while I mixed up the drink. I would simply dump out the ice and water and then pour the drink that had been shaken with the ice in the same manner that you described in your recipe.
Dawn says
What cranberry juice did you use ? Ocean spray ?
Cathy says
Yes.
David says
Do you use straight cranberry juice or cranberry juice cocktail?
Cathy says
Cranberry Juice cocktail
Amanda Chandler says
I know you recommend using lemon vodka but can I get away with regular vodka and just add fresh lemon juice for my party tonight?
Cathy says
NO. It absolutely makes a difference. Not even the same drink without it.
alyssa says
The citron vodka made it! This was the best Cosmo. Adding to our date night drink list! Thanks
Cathy says
Yahoo.
Julie says
Love this! This will be great at my next girls night or game night!
Cathy says
Enjoy.
Melissa Sperka says
These lived up to their name, my girlfriends loved them!
Cathy says
Glad to hear it.
Liz says
I never had a cosmo as good as this one! Your recipe is a winner!!
Cathy says
Thank you!
Sommer says
This is my go-to cocktail when I have guests over!
Cathy says
Yay!
Sam says
This is how I exactly like my cosmopolitan. This recipe is a keeper.
Cathy says
Thank you.
Krystle says
I am a cosmo lover, and these did not disappoint! Perfect for summer!
Cathy says
So glad to hear that!
Frankie says
What other cocktails can citron vodka be used in?
Cathy says
You can check the Absolut Citron site for a list of recipes.
Alan Mitchell says
The recipe is wonderful! Best Cosmo I’ve had. Orange peel garnish! Nice.
JustJean says
Ima ask for this for my birthday. It looks just right. ❤️
Cathy says
Great idea, Happy Birthday.
Bruno Segura says
Interesting twist if you feel like experimenting, though it deviates a little from a classic Cosmo: substitute the citron vodka with a citron gin. I used Tanqueray Rangpur (made from Rangpur Lemons which are a crossing between lemons and bitter oranges), and its unique subtle acidity made the drink absolutely spark.
Thanks for posting the recipe! Definitely great
Cathy says
Yes it deviates slightly, which is why it’s the best!
Cordelia Bacher says
DELICIOUS!!!! Made our “girls night” so fun! We had a pre New Years Eve Party and instead of the orange garnish we used sugared cranberries on a small skewered stick… It was festive, beautiful and delicious! Thank you!
Unclebeth says
Can I use unsweetened cranberry juice in place of Ocean Spray cranberry juice cocktail and will I need to adjust the amount of Cointreau and/or citron vodka to keep it from being too sour?
Cathy says
The Cointreau and vodka will not change the sweet/sour amount, only the cranberry juice and the lime will. With unsweetened cranberry I think you will find this drink too sour, but that’s up to you.
Chrissy says
The best cosmo recipe out there….we love it so much.
Marsha says
I am a cosmopolitan snob! I absolutely loved your recipe.
Terry says
I used regular vodka and it was perfect! Thank you for this recipe. Cosmos are my favorite cocktail but rarely get a good one in bar or restaurant.
Ileana says
Wonderful recipe, and best Cosmopolitan ever! I’m dying to know where you bought that gorgeous ice scoop!!
Patti says
I must say that you are totally correct in say that these are World’s Best Cosmos! I have tried many a recipe and yours is most definitely the best! Looking no longer because this is the one I always use now!
Thanks so much for this fantastic cocktail recipe! I am forever grateful!
Susan says
Have you tried using Pom pomegranate juice instead of cranberry juice?
Cathy says
Wouldn’t be the same.
Kell says
Delish! A delicious Cosmo recipe. Thanks!
Mary Ham says
Do you use sweetened cranberry juice?
Cathy says
Ocean Spray Cranberry Cocktail.
Sara Wilson says
I just love trying new cocktails when I travel, although I try to make them at home, it’s not easy to replicate the taste, but still, I try following the recipe. By the way, thanks for this recipe. Trying this weekend.
Jimmy L. says
These were the BEST cosmos I’ve ever made. So good!
Cathy says
So glad you enjoyed them.
Donna says
Do you use the fine crushed ice in the shaker also?
Is there a reason why you don’t specify in the ingredient list the brand of vodka and cranberry juice that you use?
I love a great cosmosnd can’t wait to try this recipe
Thanks!
Cathy says
Regular ice in the shaker.
Absolut Citron Vodka
Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice cocktail
Stacie Gutierrez says
Question…. I need to make a big batch of this for a grad school graduation celebration, any suggestions????
Cathy says
Figure out the size of your container in ounces and scale up the recipe that many times. However, these are best served icy cold and shaken so you will not be able to replicate that when they are scaled up in this way, but they will still be good. The crushed ice after shaking is really key.
Stacie Gutierrez says
Thank you for the quick response!!! I am using this as Love Potion for a Harry Potter theme, and wanted it to be more grown up!
Sherry Z says
I am absolutely in love with this recipe!! I made it for friends at a party last night and they all agreed, it is the best cosmo recipe ever. True to its name, follow it exactly, it is perfection.
John says
I was wondering does this recipe has a strong taste of alcohol in it I’m looking for a nice recipe where I barley taste the alcohol in it and it gets me smashed
Cathy says
Lol. I mean you do taste the alcohol somewhat…you can always add a little more cranberry juice cocktail once you taste it.
Richard says
Found my new favorite drink for life..this was amazing!
Cathy says
So happy for you!
Taylor says
THIS recipe is how to make a cosmo. It was wonderful.
Cathy says
It sure is.
Carinna says
Celebrating the weekend with these on repeat because they are THE WORLD’S BEST..they really are!
Cathy says
I won’t disagree.
Kelly says
This drink was the hit of our Friday night soiree.
Cathy says
Always a crowd pleaser.
Megan says
Big hit of the party, everyone loved them. Great cosmo recipe.
Cathy says
Happy to hear that, thanks.
Tana says
Hands down, best girl’s night cosmo.
Cathy says
Yes!
Peach says
We enjoyed WAY too many of these last night, such a cosmo recipe. Perfectly balanced!
Cathy says
Glad you enjoy this recipe.
Trina says
My favorite cosmo recipe since you posted it.
Cathy says
Awww, thanks!
Michelle says
We enjoyed WAY too many of these last night, such a cosmo recipe. Perfectly balanced
Cathy says
So glad.
Aden says
So glad I landed on this recipe because it’s the best!
Cathy says
Yes!
Freda says
Likely the best cosmo recipe I’ve ever tasted. Wish they tasted like this at a bar!
Cathy says
So true.
kris says
These were absolutely fantastic!!
Cathy says
Yay!
Pat Jenner says
Yup, you’re right, this really is the best!! Love it!
Cathy says
Yep!!
Toni says
This is so good! My husband really liked it!
Cathy says
So glad!
Wilhelmina says
Can confirm – best cosmo I’ve ever had! This cocktail is a dream!
Cathy says
Yay!
Kim says
Our favorite Saturday night tradition!
Cathy says
Absolutely!
karton bardak says
Hi, it looks pretty good. I will recommend to my loved ones. There are great flavors.
Michael B says
This cosmo is perfect. Thank you! You made a Cosmo fan out of me. Used lemon-infused organic vodka and it was delicious. The pulverized ice is key and I’ll be using this in my martinis as well. It’s all about the ice too. Thank you!
Cathy says
Nice!
Lisa says
Was good, very strong. The best and tasted good.
yamini says
Thanks for sharing about World’s Best Cosmopolitan Cocktail love this one!!!
HPJohnson says
Great cocktail. If you like to lean into the cranberry a bit, we pre-soak dried cranberries in Cointreau and spoon 3-5 into the bottom of the martini glass before the crushed ice and before you pour the shaker’s contents. As the ice melts and you finish the drink, the Cointreau-infused cranberries are delicious to consume.
Also we fall into the camp that think “plain” (very good) vodka works well with this cocktail, even if the citron does work really well as you recommend.
Kena says
This was seriously perfect, better than any bar!! Happy New year.
Cathy says
I have to agree with you.
krissa says
This cosmo recipe is our new favorite. So perfectly balanced!
Cathy says
Something to celebrate for sure!
JAcey from Denver says
We found this to be the BEST cosmopolitan recipe. Just loved the flavor.
Cathy says
Great!
Henna says
I never really knew how to make a cosmopolitan and now that I’ve tried this recipe…omg it was so easy and this one was the best.
Cathy says
It really is so good.
Reba says
Love this cosmopolitan drink recipe, it’s our go to cocktail these days.
Cathy says
You’ve chosen a good one. Cheers.
Brant says
I’m now a professional when it comes to how to make a cosmopolitan. This cosmo recipe was so good.
Alice says
Loved this cosmo recipe so very much. Was so good and now my new favorite.
Kira says
I never knew how to make a cosmopolitan and now I know how to make this delicious one!
Kelbby says
This cosmo recipe is absolutely the best! Make it every weekend. Thank you.
lisa says
I love making this cosmopolitan drink it always impresses everyone.
Germaine says
This is the bestest cosmopolitan drink out there, PERIODT. Perfet amount of alcohol, unlike a bar.
Laney says
Wowweeee, made this cosmopolitan drink recipe last night and just OMG it was so good.
Helen says
I always come back to this cosmo recipe because it’s the best taste and flavor out there!
Keenan says
I make this cosmo recipe often, there is just something about it that hits all the right marks.
Kate says
Loved this cosmo recipe so much, so glad I followed all the directions. So good.
Krissy says
Made these over the weekend and they are the best cosmo recipe. Absolutely loved!
Kitty says
The best cosmo re I’ve I have come across so far! Loved it so much.
sadie says
The best cosmo recipe I have ever tried. Loved it so much.
Belik says
Loved this cosmo recipe more than any I’ve ever tried.
Elisa says
This cosmo recipe is everything a girl dreams of in a cocktail.
Cessie says
Loved your take on the cosmopolitan cocktail. It was perfect.
Alishka says
Love this Best Cosmopolitan Cocktail, these cocktail was amazing. Making again for the weekend.
yamika says
Love this Best Cosmopolitan Cocktail, this one is super delicious. Thanks for sharing this recipe, it’s now my go to.
Sara g says
My favorite cocktail and now I can make them at home! The best!
Toni says
This just became my new favorite drink!! It tastes really amazing!
Kim says
Made these for girls night and everyone loved them!!
cassie says
Can’t stop making this cosmo, it really is the best!
wilhelmina says
I made one and I have to agree – it’s the best! The Citron vodka really is a game changer!
Keshan says
Can’t get enough of this recipe!!
Lisa says
Man this was the most perfect rendition of a cosmo ever!
Terri says
Thank you for the cosmo recipe. It’s been a while since I made one, and I needed a refresher. I added a splash of bartenders simple syrup for a little sweetness. Have you made this with Grey Goose citron vodka? It’s pretty close to top shelf!
firas says
Turned out absolutely amazing!
Rose says
This was absolutely delicious!!! Loved it.
Jim says
Love making these for my girlfriend, she says they are the best. Thank you.
Cheryl Charming says
Hi Cathy! This was the best cosmo I have ever had! So much better than any bar!
Rae says
I couldn’t make the shaved ice, and it really was a bummer, because the alcohol overpowers too much without the diluting factor of the ice. To compensate, I just added more cranberry, but next time I will have to find a way to make the shaved ice! I’m still giving the original recipe 5 stars, because I think that ice would make it perfect.
Russ says
We would love to share one or two with you.
Mark says
Absolutely loved how this cosmo turned out. Followed all your advice and it was truly the best I’ve ever had!
Nadia says
In Australia we can’t get the cranberry juice cocktail only the cranberry juice. What can I substitute the cranberry juice cocktail with or what can I add to cranberry juice to make it the same?
Cathy says
Regular cranberry juice is really tart, so I would make a simple syrup, adding a tablespoon or less at a time to my cocktail shaker and test until it fits your taste.