Classic cocktail · Guided recipe

Cosmopolitan

Citrus vodka, triple sec, lime and a splash of cranberry, shaken hard and served up. Tart, pink and unapologetically fun.

Preparation~2 minEasyStrengthStrongabout 23% ABVMethodShaken8 guided stepsIngredients4Martini (cocktail) glass

Sour

In the glassVodka · Triple sec / Cointreau · Fresh lime juice · Cranberry juice

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Make it with guidanceOne clear action at a time, with timers built in.

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What goes in

Ingredients

An empty clear martini glass with an angular V-shaped bowl and slender stem. — Serving glassMartini glass

Set up before you pour

Use a martini glass.

The stem protects a cold up drink from your hand; the open V-shaped bowl presents its aroma immediately.

Standard size: 180 ml6 oz
Ice & serve: Chill it first; serve without ice.
If you don’t own one: Use a coupe or another small stemmed cocktail glass.

Tools to set out

cocktail shaker
strainer (or a small sieve)
jigger or measuring spoon

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Scale to your martini (cocktail) glassWe’ll remember this glass size.

Vodka45 ml
Triple sec / Cointreau15 ml
Cranberry juice30 ml
Fresh lime juice15 ml

Start making

From bottle to glass

Method

01
Measure into the shaker
Pour 45 ml vodka into your shaker
- Vodka
02
Measure into the shaker
Add 15 ml triple sec / cointreau
- Triple sec / Cointreau
03
Measure into the shaker
Add 15 ml fresh lime juice
- Fresh lime juice
04
Measure into the shaker
Add 30 ml cranberry juice
- Cranberry juice
05
Ice the shaker
Fill the shaker with ice
Why it mattersFill it right up — more ice chills faster with less watering down.
06
Seal and shake
Seal and shake hard
Why it mattersCold hands mean it’s working. Shake until the tin frosts over.
07
Strain cleanly
Strain into a chilled glass — no ice
Why it mattersPour through the strainer so the spent shaker ice stays behind.
08
Finish the drink
Finish it — add a lime wheel

Know your drink

About the Cosmopolitan

A copper mug, Espresso Martini and clear vodka highball against evening city lights.

The 90s in a coupe

Polished into its modern form by Toby Cecchini in 1988 New York (building on earlier versions), the cosmopolitan conquered the world when Sex and the City made it Carrie Bradshaw’s house drink. Fashion moved on; the drink didn’t need to — made with fresh lime and restraint on the cranberry, it’s simply a great vodka sour in party clothes.

Common questions

Cosmopolitan FAQ

Why is my cosmopolitan too sweet or too red?

Too much cranberry. The cranberry is a splash for color and tartness — 30 ml at most — not the base of the drink. A proper cosmo is pale blush pink, tart-first, and noticeably a vodka drink.

Do I need citrus vodka for a cosmopolitan?

The 1990s classic uses citron vodka. Plain vodka works — add an extra few drops of lime and express a lemon or orange peel over the top to make up the aromatic difference.

What ingredients are in a Cosmopolitan?

A classic Cosmopolitan calls for 45 ml (1.5 oz) Vodka, 15 ml (0.5 oz) Triple sec / Cointreau, 15 ml (0.5 oz) Fresh lime juice, 30 ml (1 oz) Cranberry juice. That single-serve spec scales cleanly — the recipe above converts it to oz and multiplies it for 2–4 drinks.

How strong is a Cosmopolitan?

A standard Cosmopolitan is roughly 23% ABV once mixed (before ice melt softens it further). That makes it spirit-forward — closer to a Martini than to a beer, so sip it slowly.

Is a Cosmopolitan shaken or stirred?

A Cosmopolitan is shaken — the rule of thumb is to shake anything with citrus juice. About 13 seconds with plenty of ice chills and dilutes it correctly.

What glass do you serve a Cosmopolitan in?

Serve a Cosmopolitan in a martini glass, well chilled — this drink is served without ice, so a cold glass keeps it cold.

How many calories are in a Cosmopolitan?

One Cosmopolitan has approximately 170 calories, estimated from the standard spec above. Bigger pours, extra syrup or sweetened mixers raise that number quickly.

Sharpen the technique