Nothing quite says lady’s night on the town like this classic, the Cosmopolitan Cocktail! It looks sweet but packs a tart punch. 

Cosmopolitan Cocktail Recipe

While the cosmopolitan cocktail is often seen as a new invention, this pink lady has been around for nearly 100 years – although, she’s seen some changes along the way.

Originally made with raspberry and lemon juices, the cosmopolitan was made over by Ocean Spray ad exec’s in a 1960s ad campaign where it was renamed “the Harpoon.” While the new name didn’t stick, the swap of cranberry juice and lime juice did – but the drink didn’t hit it’s real heydey until Madonna crashed onto the NYC dance scene, and then it had another resurgence with those Sex and the City girls.

The perfect cocktail for women who want something pretty and feminine, but like their drinks tart rather than sweet, the cosmopolitan is almost like a vodka-based margarita in its composition.

While our recipe is perfect if you’re just desiring one cocktail, it is super easy to make a pitcher of these cosmos – just swap out the ounces for cups!

Ingredients for a Cosmopolitan

• 1 1/2 oz vodka
• 1/4 oz lime juice
• 1/4 oz triple sec
• 1/4 oz cranberry juice
• Lime wedge or twist, optional garnish

Makes 1.

Kitchen Tools You May Find Useful

• Liquid measure
• Vegetable peeler
• Chopstick
• Martini glasses
• Cocktail shaker, optional

How to Make a Cosmopolitan

To make this pretty lime twist, use a vegetable peeler to make one long peel of a lime zest. Use scissors to trim off an even, narrow strip and then twist that strip of lime skin around a chopstick. Set aside (or in the freezer) while you prepare the cocktail.

Now, if your ingredients are not already cold, you are going to want to use a cocktail shaker for this recipe to chill and blend all of the ingredients. 

If you’re like me and keep the vodka in your freezer so that it stays ice cold, you can skip the shaker and measure your ingredients out into your glass, just be sure to give it a quick stir before you sip.

Measure out your ingredients into your cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously for 1 minute.

Pour out the cocktail into a martini glass and garnish with your lime wedge or twist.

Enjoy immediately.

The cosmopolitan cocktail is a classic for a reason. It’s pretty and feminine without going into the saccharine – the perfect fruity cocktail for ladies who like it tart.

Another delicious sweet and tart cocktail is the ever popular Appletini! This Appletini is a classic and is sure to be a hit at your next get-together with friends!

Have leftover Triple Sec? This Sidecar cocktail is strong and citrusy, and just slightly bitter and sour, but in a very palatable way. The perfect cocktail for having friends over.

One of our favorite frozen cocktails recipes is this Pink Mudslide. Nothing screams a delicious and creamy cocktail concoction greater than this one! Great for Valentine’s Day, Sweetest Day, or just about anytime you want a dessert cocktail in hand. 

Lastly, a more fruity and sweet cocktail-  Peach Mojito is a fun twist on a classic rum cocktail – perfect for summer, backyard parties, or ladies night!

Cosmopolitan Cocktail

Course: Cocktails

Cuisine: American

Keyword: ladies night, party drinks, triple sec, vodka

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Servings: 1 cocktail

Calories: 125 kcal

Author: AmandasCookin.com

This classic Cosmopolitan Cocktail is perfect for ladies night or for a night of celebrating! It's sweet, yet tart giving it the perfect punch.

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Ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz vodka
• 1/4 oz lime juice
• 1/4 oz triple sec
• 1/4 oz cranberry juice
• 1 Lime wedge or twist optional garnish

Instructions

1. To make this pretty lime twist, use a vegetable peeler to make one long peel of a lime zest. Use scissors to trim off an even, narrow strip and then twist that strip of lime skin around a chopstick. Set aside (or in the freezer) while you prepare the cocktail.

2. Now, if your ingredients are not already cold, you are going to want to use a cocktail shaker for this recipe to chill and blend all of the ingredients.

   If you're like me and keep the vodka in your freezer so that it stays ice cold, you can skip the shaker and measure your ingredients out into your glass, just be sure to give it a quick stir before you sip.

3. Measure out your ingredients into your cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously for 1 minute.

4. Pour out the cocktail into a martini glass and garnish with your lime wedge or twist.

5. Enjoy immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Cosmopolitan Cocktail

Amount Per Serving (1 cocktail)

Calories 125

% Daily Value*

Sodium 1mg 0%

Total Carbohydrates 3g 1%

Sugars 3g

Vitamin C 2.6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.