VIRGIN COSMOPOLITAN RECIPE

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Ingredients

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WRITTEN BY: SCOTT VAN DORT

The Virgin Cosmopolitan is an alcohol-free twist on the classic Cosmopolitan cocktail. Also known as the “Cosmo,” the original Vodka cocktail has been a favorite since the 1990s and symbolizes modern cocktail culture.

The Virgin Cosmopolitan mirrors the original, minus the alcohol. This Cosmopolitan mocktail is sweet yet tart, offering a well-balanced drink. The Orange Zest Twist garnish ties it all together, perfectly marrying the tartness of Cranberry and Lime Juice. 

Delicious? Definitely. Refreshing? Absolutely!

How to Make a Virgin Cosmopolitan

What You’ll Need

  • Boston Shaker
  • Citrus Shaker (or Citrus Press)
  • Jigger or Measuring Instrument
  • Strainer
  • Paring Knife
  • Hawthorne Strainer
  • Cocktail Glass
  • Peeler

Got a question about any of the bartending tools above? Check out this article where we outline the most essential tools you need for your home bar.

How to Mix

  1. Add Ice Cubes into a Boston Shaker.
  2. Get a Paring Knife and cut one Lime in half.
  3. Use a Citrus Press to squeeze one Lime half to extract the juice, then measure and pour the Lime Juice into the Shaker.
  4. Use a Paring Knife to cut one Orange in half.
  5. Use a Citrus Press to squeeze one Orange half to extract the juice, then measure and pour the Orange Juice into the Shaker.
  6. Measure and pour Cranberry Juice into the Shaker.
  7. Measure and pour Simple Syrup into the Shaker.
  8. Add two dashes of Orange Bitters to the Shaker.
  9. Shake vigorously until the Shaker is frosty on the outside.
  10. Strain the mixture by placing a Hawthorne Strainer on top of the large tin of your Boston Shaker and pour directly into a Cocktail Glass.
  11. Use a Peeler to peel a strip of Orange Zest, then press the strip over your drink to express the oils before placing it into your Glass.
  12. Sip and enjoy!

WATCH HOW TO MAKE A VIRGIN COSMOPOLITAN

The History of the Virgin Cosmopolitan

Like many classic cocktails, the exact origin of the Cosmopolitan is unclear, and, therefore, the same is true the Virgin Cosmopolitan.

Some say the Vodka-based Cosmopolitan can be traced back to Provincetown, Massachusetts in the 1970s, while others say South Beach, Florida during the mid-1980s.

It’s also believed to have been developed as a variation of the popular Cape Codder cocktail, which combines Vodka and Cranberry juice. The addition of Triple Sec and Lime Juice gave birth to its signature flavor profile. It rose to prominence in the 1990s, becoming synonymous with cosmopolitan urban culture and modern cocktail sophistication.

When it comes to mocktails, the Shirley Temple is believed to be the first, created in the 1930s. The term “mocktail” was first used in 1916, but it gained widespread popularity during the 1980s and 1990s. So, it’s likely that the Virgin Cosmopolitan first emerged during the late 1980s.

Tips for Making the Perfect Virgin Cosmopolitan

  • Fresh Citrus Juice
    Fresh juice adds that extra zing and zest that’ll make your mocktails world class. Therefore, we highly recommend pressing your own Lime Juice and Orange Juice instead of buying the bottled stuff. That’s right – juice your own juice. Trust us, the difference is like night and day.
    The sweetness of your oranges will naturally vary with the season, but using freshly pressed Orange Juice will give your Virgin Cosmopolitan a delightful smoothness and sweetness.

    Be sure to check out our article about how to extract more juice from your fruits.

  • Use Cranberry Juice Mix
    Despite what we just said above about always using fresh ingredients to achieve bar-level cocktails at home, Cranberry Juice is an exception. Hey, there’s always an exception to the rule!
    When a recipe calls for Cranberry Juice, it typically means Cranberry Juice Mix, which is pre-mixed and store-bought, not Fresh Cranberries you need to juice and sweeten.

    Cranberry Juice Mix blends Cranberry Juice with added sugars and other fruit juices, making it less tart and more versatile for cocktails.

    As Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan – Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador – puts it, “Many bartenders say they started bartending 5 BC or 10 BC—before Cranberry Juice was released. Once it hit the market, everyone started using it.” Trust Rico on this one.

    However, for this particular recipe, if you want more tartness and sharpness, which I personally prefer, you can use Unsweetened Cranberry Juice.

Variations of a Virgin Cosmopolitan Mocktail

Gentle Sea Breeze
The Sea Breeze, like the Cosmopolitan, belongs to the so-called “Cape Cod” family, and this alcohol-free version combines equal parts of Cranberry Juice and Grapefruit Juice over Ice for a deliciously refreshing drink experience. It delivers a sweet and tangy flavor profile, with the tartness of the Cranberry Juice complemented by the citrusy notes of the Grapefruit Juice. Here’s how to make a Gentle Sea Breeze.

Serving and Garnish Ideas for a Virgin Cosmopolitan

We recommend chilling your Cocktail Glass in advance anywhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours.

To garnish your Virgin Cosmo, peel one Orange Zest strip and hold the strip over the glass, then give it a quick twist to express the oils before dropping it into your glass. Those incredible Orange aromas will elevate your drink to a whole new level.

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