Cosmopolitan Recipe (Classic)

Name: Classic Cosmopolitan
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 2 oz citron (lemon) vodka; 1 oz triple sec (Cointreau); 1 oz cranberry juice cocktail; 1/2 oz fresh lime juice; Ice, for shaking; Lime wheel or orange twist, to garnish

The Cosmopolitan is a tart, ruby-pink classic that defined 1990s cocktail culture and still earns its place on any menu. Built on citron vodka, orange-forward triple sec, a splash of cranberry for color and a whisper of sweetness, and plenty of fresh lime for backbone, it is bright, balanced, and deceptively easy to make at home. The keys are fresh lime juice (never bottled), a good triple sec like Cointreau, and a hard shake to get it icy cold. Below you will find the exact classic ratio, a step-by-step method, and answers to the questions people ask most.

Classic Cosmopolitan

Förberedelse5 min

Total tid5 min

Portioner1

SvårighetEasy

Ingredienser

2 oz citron (lemon) vodka
1 oz triple sec (Cointreau)
1 oz cranberry juice cocktail
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
Ice, for shaking
Lime wheel or orange twist, to garnish

Gör så här

Chill a coupe or martini glass in the freezer or with ice water.
Add the vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and fresh lime juice to a cocktail shaker.
Fill the shaker with ice and shake hard for 10 to 15 seconds, until the tin frosts over.
Double-strain into the chilled glass, leaving the ice behind.
Garnish with a lime wheel or an expressed orange twist and serve immediately.

How to make it: The Cosmopolitan is a shaken, citrus-forward sour, so treat it like one. Combine all four liquids in your shaker, add plenty of ice, and shake hard until the tin frosts over - about 10 to 15 seconds. Double-strain through the shaker's built-in strainer and a fine-mesh sieve to catch ice shards and lime pulp, giving you a clean, silky pour. Serve it straight up in a chilled glass and drink it while it is frosty.

Cosmopolitan ratios and batch scaling (oz)
Ingredient	Parts	1 drink	2 drinks	4 drinks
Citron vodka	2	2 oz	4 oz	8 oz
Triple sec	1	1 oz	2 oz	4 oz
Cranberry juice	1	1 oz	2 oz	4 oz
Fresh lime juice	1/2	1/2 oz	1 oz	2 oz

Always use fresh-squeezed lime juice; bottled lime tastes flat and dulls the drink.
Use cranberry juice cocktail (sweetened), not unsweetened cranberry, so the balance is right.
Chill your glass first - a warm glass ruins a straight-up drink within minutes.
Shake hard for 10 to 15 seconds; a Cosmo should be very cold with a thin layer of ice crystals on top.
For a classic touch, express an orange twist over the surface, or flame it, then drop it in.
Adjust to taste: add a bar-spoon more cranberry for a softer drink, or more lime for extra tartness.

What kind of vodka should I use?

A citron (lemon) vodka such as Absolut Citron is traditional and adds a subtle citrus lift. Plain vodka works fine too - just add a small squeeze more lime.

Can I substitute the triple sec?

Cointreau is the standard, but any quality triple sec or orange liqueur works. Avoid very cheap triple sec, which can taste harsh and overly sweet.

Why is my Cosmopolitan too sweet or too tart?

Balance comes from the cranberry-to-lime ratio. Too sweet, add more fresh lime; too tart, add a touch more cranberry or triple sec.

What glass should a Cosmo be served in?

A chilled coupe or martini (cocktail) glass, always served up with no ice, and enjoyed immediately while ice-cold.

Can I make a batch for a party?

Yes. Multiply the ingredients using the ratios table, stir together without ice, chill in the fridge, then shake each round with ice to order for the best texture.

Please enjoy responsibly. A standard Cosmopolitan contains about 3 oz of spirits and liqueur; know your limits, never drink and drive, and offer guests water and a non-alcoholic option. You must be 21 or older to drink alcohol in the US.