Cosmopolitan

Vodka, cranberry, orange liqueur, and lime combine for a tart, vividly pink martini that defined 1990s cocktail culture.

21%

ABV

197

Calories

Coupe

Glass

Flavor Profile

cranberry•citrus•bright

Flavor Journey

Sweet

Sour

Bitter

Strong

Ingredients

Each component plays a crucial role.

1.5 oz

0.75 oz

0.5 oz

0.5 oz

Method

Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice

Shake hard until well chilled and strain into a chilled cocktail glass

Express a flamed orange zest over the surface and discard or drop in

Glassware

Coupe

Served up in a chilled cocktail glass

Garnish

Orange zest

Flamed over drink

Master's Tips

Professional insights to elevate your craft

Use unsweetened cranberry juice for a drier balance

A flamed orange peel adds aromatic complexity

Chill the glass well to keep the drink bracing

Variations & Riffs

Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Cosmopolitan.

White Cosmopolitan

A sophisticated and elegant reinterpretation of the classic Cosmopolitan, swapping cranberry juice for elderflower liqueur and white cranberry juice for a delicate, floral sweetness and crystal-clear appearance.

24%

197 cals

Coupe

Cosmopolitan Royale

A bubbly Cosmo—vodka, Cointreau, cranberry and lime finished with brut Champagne.

17%

198 cals

Coupe

Other Variations

Classic Vodka

Minor Tweak

Swaps the citrus vodka for a neutral spirit and ups the cranberry for a deeper pink.

Changes

Citrus Vodka → Vodka(1.5 oz)

Cranberry Juice:0.5 oz → 0.75 oz

Rose's Cosmo

Minor Tweak

Adds a bar spoon of cranberry jam or syrup for extra texture and sweetness.

Changes

Cranberry Juice:0.5 oz → 0.25 oz

→ Cranberry Syrup(0.25 oz)

History & Heritage

Though similar drinks appeared in the 1970s, the Cosmopolitan coalesced in the 1980s when Miami bartender Cheryl Cook combined citrus vodka, triple sec, lime, and cranberry for a martini drink that looked good on camera. Toby Cecchini refined the recipe at New York's Odeon using fresh juice, and the cocktail exploded in popularity after featuring prominently on Sex and the City in the late 1990s, cementing its status as a cultural icon.

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33%

216 cals

Rocks

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A classic tropical cocktail celebrated for its vibrant, sunny hue and refreshingly complex flavor profile, blending rum with the distinctive vanilla-anise notes of Galliano L'Autentico.

31%

270 cals

Coupe