Last updated on May 30th, 2014
ON A HOT SUMMER AFTERNOON, is there anything more refreshing than a Cosmopolitan? I don’t think so. A Cosmopolitan — or “cosmo,” as the girls on HBO’s Sex and The City endeared it — is a frosty-cold, perfectly-pink cocktail that’s redolent of cranberry, orange, and fresh-squeezed lime. Shall we sit by the pool and sip one?
To make this ambrosial drink, first fill a martini glass with ice. Or, if you have room in your freezer –I do not — you can stick the glass in there. In any event, the goal is to get the glass cold, cold, cold.
Next, pour 1 1/2 ounces (45 ml) of freezing-cold, citron-flavored vodka into a cocktail shaker.
A shot glass or jigger, which holds 1 1/2 ounces, is very useful for cocktail-making.
Add 1 1/2 ounces of cranberry juice to the cocktail shaker.
Surely one of you will say “That’s too much — a Cosmopolitan should have only a whisper of cranberry!” But when I’ve tried anything other than equal amounts of cranberry and vodka, the drink was far too dry. I want a mildly-sweet, refreshing cocktail — not a martini.
Now add 1/2 ounce (22 ml) Cointreau to the shaker. Cointreau is an orange liqueur, much like Grand Marnier, La Belle Orange, and triple-sec. But it has the cleanest taste of all such liqueurs.You might have a different opinion.
Add 1/2 ounce of freshly-squeezed lime juice. Half a lime should provide 1/2 ounce of juice if you squeeze it hard enough.
And by the way, I hope you won’t skimp here and use sweetened lime juice from concentrate. There is no substitute for the real thing. I speak from experience.
Put the lid on your cocktail shaker, and then shake it for about 20 seconds, or until droplets of water (condensation) form on the walls of the container. This will take all of 20 seconds.
Remember the film “Cocktail” starring Tom Cruise? You want to shake that stainless steel gadget just like he did.
Poor Tom Cruise. Do you think he could use a Cosmopolitan right about now?
Dump the ice out of your martini glass. Then pour your gorgeous cocktail.
For decoration, take a thin slice of lime, cut a notch in it, and affix it to the edge of your martini glass.
Now take a sip. Notice how the flavors are beautifully balanced? You can taste them all, and not one ingredient overwhelms the others. That’s why I think this version of a Cosmopolitan is the best one out there.
Here’s a copy-and-paste version of the above recipe:
The Perfect Cosmopolitan
Ingredients for one cocktail
1 1/2 oz (45 ml) good-quality citron vodka
1 1/2 oz cranberry juice
1/2 oz (22 ml) freshly-squeezed lime juice
1/2 oz Cointreau
Ice cubesFill a martini glass with ice cubes. Pour vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice and orange liqueur into a cocktail shaker. Add one cup of ice to the shaker, and then shake, shake, shake for 20 seconds, or until little droplets of water appear on the shaker’s walls. Empty ice from martini glass, and pour in the cocktail. Garnish with a slice of lime.
Think you might try this Cosmopolitan recipe? You can let me know by leaving a comment. As always, I enjoy hearing from you.
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Marian Sole says
Perfect for the scorching weather we are enduring.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Marian – Well, I think so, too. Almost takes my mind off the drought. Almost.
Carol says
Can’t wait to try the Perfect Cosmopolitan – looks delicious!
Anna Lapping says
For a change of pace, try it with pomegranate juice. I love it that way.
Jeanne says
Scrumptious! I also don’t want a martini but a beautifully balanced refreshing drink. Your recipe is divine!
Lynn says
oooowww, this looks perfect for my young daughter/inlaw and her bestie coming to stay with me for a few days end of July … 🙂 Thanks Kevin … Lynn in … Penticton, B.C. Canada.
Barbara says
Almost my exact recipe. What a yummo drink. Instead of serving in a martini glass, I serve in Waterford champagne flutes–looks so pretty!
Marilou Gaw says
It sounds perfect for relaxing after one of these hot days we have been having here in the midwest.. I am wishing I had the ingredients right now to make one.
Donna B. says
Yes, please.
I’m not a “girlie” drinks kind of gal, but you’ve opened my eyes from the stigma that a “Cosmo” has left to me! It sounds delicious! Well, I love Cointreau. And citrus, anything citrus… mmmm.
Maybe I’ll forgo my coconut rum blueberry yogurt smoothie tonight and craft one of these instead. Yum!
Scott Lewis says
So correct Kevin. Is there ANYTHING on your blog that isn’t awesome?! Thanks for the time you take for your readers. I started my serpentine stairs with a five-stair dry-laid stairwell, have seven new boxwoods thanks to you, did newspaper mulching successfully, and more. Now, enjoying a perfect cosmopolitan! Loving life, so thanks!!!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Scott – I’m blushing. Thank you for such a nice comment.
Natalie says
I had my 1st “Cosmo” last week while staying @ the Cosmopoiltan in Las Vegas! It was as pretty as yours! My sister asked to have the glass rim dipped in sugar…it was fantastic.
wendy says
oh yes! refreshingly civil and sips down easy! Thanks, beautifully displayed.
Sylvia Shelnutt says
We live in Georgia and it is 98 degrees today. The “Cosmo” is perfect for our end of the day treat.
Thank you for the great gardening ideas. I now have a bed covered with newspapers and mulch looking forward to cooler weather take care of other gardening chores.
Noelle Imparato says
I share your taste for Cointreau. It was my mother’s favorite liqueur (BTW note the spelling for liqueur).
Sylvia Shelnutt says
It is truly the perfect cosmopolitan.
MaryAnn Quinn says
I had my very first ‘martini’ a few weeks ago that was similar to this and it was delish! I am going to have to try this when a friend comes to visit in 2 weeks and I can’t wait!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi MaryAnn Quinn – If you make the drink, let me know how it turns out for you. I think it’s incredibly refreshing.
Patricia Sturdevant says
It’s on my list to try this summer!
Kattrinka says
OK you twisted my arm! This will be my next try 😉 even tho I’ve always hated ‘Sex and the City’!
Elaine Bainbridge says
Any chance of non alcoholic cocktails?
Ardelle says
Perhaps I can now impress my friends with the perfect Cosmo – but I must practice (quite) a bit before I serve it to guests, right? Want to get it just right you know…. 🙂