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.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
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
Served up in a chilled cocktail glass
Garnish
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
Flavor Journey
Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.
Sweet
out of 10
Sour
out of 10
Bitter
out of 10
Strong
out of 10
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Cosmopolitan.
Classic Vodka
Swaps the citrus vodka for a neutral spirit and ups the cranberry for a deeper pink.
Changes
Rose's Cosmo
Adds a bar spoon of cranberry jam or syrup for extra texture and sweetness.
Changes
White Cosmopolitan
Uses white cranberry juice and elderflower liqueur for a clear, floral variation.
Changes
Cosmopolitan Royale
Topped with dry sparkling wine for a celebratory twist.
Changes
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Margarita
Tequila, lime and orange liqueur in flawless harmony—Mexico's most famous cocktail and a symbol of celebration.
Cape Codder
Vodka and cranberry juice built over ice for a tart, refreshing highball.
Daiquiri
A crisp Cuban rum sour that showcases perfect balance—just rum, lime and sugar shaken icy cold.