Perfect Cosmopolitan Cocktail
- PREP 5min
- TOTAL 5min
I love this classic cosmopolitan recipe! It’s easy to make one or a pitcher for a crowd. Use a vodka you enjoy. Citrus vodka is especially delicious.
I love adding orange peel to our cosmos. Sure, it may look like an unnecessary garnish, but if you do it right, it adds a little sweetness. As you take a sip of the cosmopolitan cocktail, you’ll get orange essence, which hides the strength and scent of the vodka. When you add the orange peel, peel it over the drink. This way, any oils spraying from the orange fall into the drink. Rubbing the edges of the glass doesn’t hurt either.
You Will Need
2 ounces (1/4 cup) vodka or citrus vodka
1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) triple sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier
3/4 ounce (1 ½ tablespoons) cranberry juice cocktail, see notes
1/4 to 1/2 ounce (1 ½ teaspoons to 3 teaspoons) fresh lime juice
One 2-inch orange peel/twist
Directions
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice. (I like the extra bite of lime juice, so I use 1/2 an ounce in our cosmo, but use what is best for your taste.)
Shake the cocktail shaker for about 30 seconds until well chilled. Then, strain into a martini glass.
Garnish with orange peel/twist. Peel the orange twist over the filled cocktail glass so the orange oils spray into the glass.
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- Cranberry juice: You can use sweetened cranberry juice (often called “cranberry juice cocktail”) or unsweetened plain cranberry juice. If you use unsweetened, you will likely find that you need to add a small splash of simple syrup or agave since it can be quite tart.
- The nutrition facts provided below are estimates.