A perfectly balanced Cosmo Cocktail Recipe is very simple to make! This sophisticated pink drink often served in a martini glass, is made even more delicious when chilled and poured over ice.
Cosmo on the Rocks uses just four ingredients to create a stylish cocktail that is sure to set the mood.

Why This Cosmo Cocktail Recipe is So Good
- It's a Classic! While there are many variations on the cosmopolitan cocktail out there, this recipe will show you how to make the original, and we think it's the best.
- Just 4 Ingredients. Vodka, cranberry juice, Cointreau, and fresh lime go into a cosmo. It's a very simple formula for making the best drink.
- Cosmopolitans are a fun drink to make for a girls' night, cocktail party, or for a quiet night in that calls for something a bit more sophisticated than a White Claw.
The Cosmopolitan was the signature drink of Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City, and has also been noted to be a favorite of real-life superstar Madonna too!
Tips and Tricks for Making Cosmo on the Rocks
- You can of course serve Cosmos straight up instead of over ice. Shake the ingredients and then strain into a stemmed glass before garnishing with a lime wedge.
- If you don't have a traditional cocktail shaker at home, you can use any type of jar or container with a lid to shake up your drinks.
- You should use sweetened cranberry juice to make cosmos, as the pure, unsweetened kind has much too strong a flavor. If all you have is pure cranberry, add a teaspoon of simple syrup as well.
- Cointreau is an orange-flavored liqueur that adds a fruity flavor to the mix. You can also use Triple Sec.
- Garnishes make your Cosmo look like a work of art! I'm using whole lime wheels and fresh cranberries threaded on small skewers.
- If you're feeling really creative, try adding a small amount of raspberry simple syrup or peach simple syrup to your Cosmo to make your own signature cocktail!
More Easy Cocktail Recipes
- Whiskey and Coke
- Gin Mojito
- Vodka Sidecar
- Mermaid Water Drink
- Malibu Sunset
- PB and Jelly Shot
- White Tea Shot
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Cosmo Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce cranberry juice see notes
- 1 ounce cointreau
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add the vodka.
- Then add cranberry juice, triple sec, and lime juice.
- Shake until well chilled– about 30 seconds.
- Fill a rocks glass with ice. Strain the cocktail into the rocks glass and garnish with a lime wheel. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- You can of course serve Cosmos straight up instead of over ice. Shake the ingredients and then strain into a stemmed glass before garnishing with a lime wedge.
- If you don't have a traditional cocktail shaker at home, you can use any type of jar or container with a lid to shake up your drinks.
- You should use sweetened cranberry juice to make cosmos, as the pure, unsweetened kind has much too strong a flavor. If all you have is pure cranberry, add a teaspoon of simple syrup as well.
- Cointreau is an orange-flavored liqueur that adds a fruity flavor to the mix. You can also use Triple Sec.
- Garnishes make your Cosmo look like a work of art! I'm using whole lime wheels and fresh cranberries threaded on small skewers.
Nutrition
All though this website attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, the information should only be considered an estimate. Varying factors such as different product types, different brands, etc. can change nutritional information. It is your responsibility as a consumer to read all labels to make sure the ingredients fit your dietary needs as well as calculate your own nutritional information as a double check.