This classic cosmo recipe is about as perfect as they come. I’ve been making it for years. Make one, and you’ll think your hanging out with Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte in a chic restaurant in NYC!
I get asked all the time for my cosmo recipe, so I decided to do some sampling this week and take a few photos so I could share my recipe with you. A cosmo is really easy to make, and it is soooo delicious and refreshing.
A word of warning. This drink isn’t for the faint of heart. One of these, and I’m feeling mighty happy.
How to Make the Perfect Cosmo Recipe
You only need four ingredients to make the perfect cosmo — citron vodka, triple sec or cointreau, cranberry juice and a lime (none of that bottled stuff. I try to keep fresh limes handy at all times.)
If you want to be fancy, get yourself some martini glasses. I like to line the rim with sugar.
Then you put ice in a cocktail shaker. I lost mine so I had to mix in a plastic container. Thus, no photo. But you know the drill. Fill the shaker with ice and then measure in your ingredients. I use 4 parts vodka, 2 parts cranberry juice, 2 parts triple sec and 1 part lime. A jigger makes this easy. I use the biggest side of a standard jigger — which should be 1.5 ounces. If you do the 4-2-2-1 ratio, that will make two drinks, although I wrote the recipe for one drink.
Once you’ve measured your ingredients into the cocktail shaker, just shake and pour.
Voila! The perfect cosmo recipe!
- 3 ounces (2 jiggers) citron vodka (Don’t skimp. Get the good stuff.)
- 1.5 ounce (1 jigger) triple sec (or cointreau, if you don’t mind spending a few extra pennies)
- 1.5 ounce (1 jigger) cranberry juice
- juice of 1 lime (or about 3/4 ounce)
- ice
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the ingredients.
- Shake and pour!
Check out my other popular cocktail recipe posts!
Chocolate Martinis
Wow this looks yummy! Thanks for sharing!
This looks delicious! Perfect for sipping on the patio on hot summer nights!
Indeed! 🙂
I had to laugh at the line about you losing your cocktail shaker! Did you have one too many?
I love Cosmos, thanks for sharing your recipe!
Haha! It actually broke – or got stuck. No one could get the lid off. LOL
One of my favorite cocktails and yet, I’ve never made one myself. Must stop paying others to do for me what I can clearly do for myself better (now!). Thanks!
Trying this recipe soon — looks yummy!
Ooo, Jo-Lynne, that sounds divine. It’s 8:40 am and I’m already thinking about TGIF happy hour!
Thank you so much for this recipe! After trying so many, I definitely know which one I’ll use for “my own happy hour.” 🙂
Being pregnant, I am naturally looking up cosmo recipes to torture myself. This one sounds perfect, and I will have to make it whenever I’m allowed the occasional drink again 🙂 Thanks!!
You will love it! Good luck to you!
Can you make this recipe as a pitcher (if you are serving 15-20 guests)? Can you recommend how to do that? This sounds like a great recipe. Thank you.
Yes!! Definitely. The ratio is 4:2:2:1 so you can make as much as you want. Four parts vodka, two parts triple sec, two parts cranberry juice, and one part lime juice. 🙂
Thanks Jo-Lynne for the recipe! I have been looking for the right ratio of ingredients for a Cosmopolitan, and I found it on your website. Thanks for sharing!
ENJOY!!!
My favorite cocktail….I like to use Cointreau instead of Triple Sec!
Best cosmo ever!!!
I need to make several pitchers of your cosmos for a holiday gathering. Would it still be a 4-2-2-1 ratio if using 4 cups vodka????
Yes, that’s how I do it. Of course, give it a taste and adjust if necessary. Enjoy!!!
Ice in dead last so it doesn’t dilute other than with the shake!
I have made these several times now, and I do declare that they are the BEST! Thanks so much for sharing!
So glad you like it!