Why Is it Called a Cosmopolitan?

As one story goes, a bartender who is often credited with creating the cocktail tried various iterations of the Kamikaze cocktail before adding Cranberry Juice. After tasting the cocktail, one person exclaimed “How cosmopolitan!”, thus inspiring the cocktail’s name.

Can You Make a Cosmopolitan Cocktail Drink More or Less Sweet?

To adjust the sweetness of your Cosmo, opt for sweetened Cranberry Juice or unsweetened Cranberry Juice. If using unsweetened, consider adding a touch of Simple Syrup or Agave to balance out the tartness.

Is it Hard to Make a Cosmopolitan?

No, making a Cosmo cocktail isn’t difficult. With the right ingredients and a Cocktail Shaker, you can easily mix up this classic cocktail at home. As always, the quality of your ingredients is the key to any great tasting cocktail.

How to Make a Cosmopolitan Cocktail

How to Mix a Cosmopolitan

Use a Paring Knife and cut one Lime in half.
Use a Citrus Press to squeeze one Lime half to extract the juice.
Measure and pour Lime Juice into your Boston Shaker.
Measure and pour Cranberry Juice into the Shaker.
Measure and pour Triple Sec into the Shaker.
Measure and pour Absolut Citron into the Shaker.
Add Ice Cubes into the Shaker.
Shake vigorously until the Shaker is frosty on the outside.
Double strain the mixture by placing a Hawthorne Strainer on the top of the large tin of your Boston Shaker, then pour the mixture through a Fine Mesh Strainer directly into your Cocktail Glass.
Use a Peeler to peel a strip of Orange Zest, then press the Strip over your drink to express the oils before placing the strip into your Glass.
Sip and enjoy!

What is a Cosmopolitan Cocktail?

Also known as the ‘Cosmo,’ the Cosmopolitan is a Vodka cocktail classic made with Absolut Citron, Triple Sec, Fresh Lime Juice and a dash of Cranberry Juice.

Served in a Martini Glass, the Cosmopolitan cocktail is famous for many reasons, including its vibrant pink color and citrusy flavor profile.

The Cosmo gained widespread popularity in the 1990s and is often associated with sophistication and stylish living.

What Does a Cosmopolitan Cocktail Taste Like?

When it comes to a Cosmopolitan, it’s all about the balance – tart yet seductively sweet. When done right, the perfect Cosmopolitan mix delivers something sophisticated, stiff and sexy. The orange twist garnish ties everything together, perfectly marrying the tartness of the cranberry juice and the delicious, smooth citrus flavors of Absolut Citron.

The History of the Cosmopolitan

Like so many iconic cocktails, the Cosmopolitan’s exact origins are debated.

A 1927 cocktail book mentions a drink named the Cosmopolitan, however, that mix is made with Scotch Whisky, two types of Vermouth, Swedish punch, Irish Whisky, and Vodka – it bears no resemblance to the Cosmopolitan cocktail we know today.

Another cocktail book from 1934 features a recipe for a Gin Daisy cocktail, with similar characteristics to today’s Cosmopolitan. The Gin Daisy was made with Lemon instead of Lime, Gin instead of Vodka, and sweetened with Raspberry Syrup instead of Cranberry Juice, which gives the drink that signature pink hue.

Some say the Cosmopolitan was developed as a variation of the classic Cape Codder cocktail, combining Vodka and Cranberry Juice. The addition of Triple Sec and Lime Juice gave birth to the Cosmo’s signature sophisticated, citrusy-sweet flavor profile.

Another popular claim suggests the modern Cosmo as we know it was invented by a head bartender in South Beach, Miami, who based the cocktail on the then newly released Absolut Citron. Absolut Citron was released in 1988 and has been Absolut’s best-selling flavored vodka ever since.

Another story traces the cocktail’s origins back to 1975, when a bartender in Golden Valley, Minneapolis, decided to try combine elements of Cape Codder, (Vodka and Cranberry Juice) and a Kamikaze shot (Vodka, Triple Sec, and Lemon Juice) to create a shaken drink served in a Martini Glass.

Whichever the origin story you choose to believe, the Cosmopolitan rose to prominence in the 1990s, becoming synonymous with cosmopolitan urban culture and modern cocktail sophistication. Its popularity surged, particularly in trendy bars and upscale social circles. Its stunning pink hue and fresh, citrusy taste contributed to its widespread appeal.

Over the years, it has maintained its status as a classic cocktail, enjoyed in various social settings. Its enduring popularity and association with high living have solidified its place in cocktail history as an iconic drink.

Today, the International Bartenders Association lists the Cosmopolitan as being made with Vodka Citron (Lemon-Flavored Vodka), Triple Sec, Fresh Lime Juice, and Cranberry Juice. The rest, as they say, is history.

Tips for Making a Perfect Cosmopolitan

Want to really perfect the art of making a good Cosmo cocktail? Try out these pointers.

Don’t Overdo the Cranberry

The secret behind a truly great Cosmo is to go easy on the Cranberry Juice. Hedda Bruce, award-winning Bar Manager at Tjoget in Stockholm, Sweden says that many people think a Cosmopolitan should be red, when it should in fact be pink. “The Cranberry Juice should just add color to the drink, not flavor,” she says. Therefore, Hedda recommends using 10 ml / ¼ oz (¼ part) Cranberry Juice.

Always Use Fresh Lime Juice

You’ll also want to use fresh pressed Lime Juice instead of something from a bottle. And yes, you’ll be able to tell the difference… big time.

Double Strain Your Cosmopolitan Drink

No one likes getting bits of ice or pulp in their cocktail. When you’ve finished shaking, double strain your Cosmopolitan using both a Hawthorne Strainer and a Fine-Mesh Strainer to get rid of all those pesky bits once and for all.

Learn how to double strain a cocktail.

Variations of a Cosmopolitan

Love a Cosmo cocktail but want to try out a few different twists? These variations are certainly worth your attention.

Blood Orange Cosmo

Shake things up while keeping it citrusy by replacing Lemon-Flavored Vodka with Mandarin-Flavored Vodka. This Absolut Blood Orange Cosmopolitan recipe uses Absolut Mandrin together with Triple Sec, Blood Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice and Lime Juice. Mix them right, and you’ve got one super bright, citrus-forward cocktail. Here’s how to make a Blood Orange Cosmo.

Grand Cosmopolitan

This “luxury” version of the Cosmopolitan elevates the Cosmo by swapping the drink’s signature Lemon Vodka for Absolut Vodka and replaces Triple Sec with a French Orange-Flavored Liqueur. The latter adds a deep, rich, and fruity maturity, resulting in a more sophisticated sip overall.

To make it, mix 30 ml / 1 oz Absolut Vodka, 30 ml / 1 oz French Orange-Flavored Liqueur, 30 ml / 1 oz Cranberry Juice, and 15 ml / 0.5 oz Lime Juice.

Purple Cosmo

A Purple Cosmo calls for Absolut Vodka, White Cranberry Juice, Violet Liqueur, and freshly squeezed Lime Juice, resulting in a cocktail that perfectly balances sweet, floral, and tart flavors. Discover how to make a Purple Cosmo.

Virgin Cosmopolitan

Can you make a Cosmopolitan without alcohol? You sure can. Get yourself the signature, sweetened Cranberry Juice, Lime Juice, Orange Juice, some simple Syrup, Ice Cubes and you’ll be good to get shaking. See our recipe for a Virgin Cosmopolitan.

Blue Cosmopolitan

If the color of this cocktail doesn’t grab your attention, then its delicious mix of citrus flavors mostly certain will. Mix Absolut Citron, White Cranberry Juice, Blue Curacao, Lime Juice and Lemon Zest and you’ve got yourself a Blue Cosmopolitan! See our Blue Cosmopolitan recipe.

Serving and Garnish Ideas for a Cosmopolitan

As ever, the finishing touches can make all the difference to your cocktail. Here are some suggestions to really elevate the classic Cosmo.

To take your Absolut Cosmopolitan recipe to the next level, consider chilling your cocktail glass in the freezer. Anywhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours is fine.
For a classic Cosmopolitan garnish, peel a long strip of orange or lemon zest and twist it over the glass to express the oils. Drop the zest into the glass or place it carefully on the rim to enhance those incredible citrus aromas.
Slide a few fresh cranberries onto a cocktail stick and balance across the Martini glass for an elegant nod to one of the main ingredients.
To add a touch of nature – not to mention a visual enhancement – pick a sprig of mint or rosemary and place inside the glass and enjoy the aromatic boost.