CocktailSteps

Shake hard and fine strain into a chilled coupe

Cosmopolitan

A bright modern sour that rewards exact measuring and a brisk shake.

Time
5 minutes
Level
Intermediate
Glass
Coupe
Approx. ABV
18% · Medium-high
Start guided make Quick check
Cosmopolitan served in a coupe

Measured for the room

Ingredients

Number of servings
  • Clear lemon-flavored vodka in an unbranded bottle
    Citron vodka

    Recommended brandAbsolut Citron

    1.5 oz
  • Amber orange liqueur in an unbranded bottle
    Orange liqueur

    Recommended brandCointreau L’Unique

    0.5 oz
  • Fresh lime juice in a small carafe beside a cut lime
    Fresh lime juice

    Recommended brandSunkist Persian Lime

    0.5 oz
  • Ruby cranberry juice in a small glass bottle
    Cranberry juice cocktail

    Recommended brandOcean Spray Cranberry Juice Cocktail

    1 oz
  • Fresh lemon peel twist
    Lemon peelOptional

    Recommended brandSunkist Lemon

    1 piece

Amounts scale from the verified one-glass recipe. Technique and timing stay unchanged.

Choose your bottle

Bottle buying guide

Best fit is our default. Spend less with Smart buy, or choose Upgrade when you want more character.

  • Base spirit

    Citron vodka

    Choose a lemon-forward vodka with a clean finish; 40% ABV keeps a Cosmopolitan crisp after shaking.

    • Best fit · RecommendedAbsolut CitronApprox. $17–22 · 750 ml

      Bright lemon and subtle lime give the classic Cosmopolitan its familiar citrus base.

    • Smart buySmirnoff CitrusApprox. $12–19 · 750 ml

      An accessible lemon-lime profile that works well when cranberry and orange lead.

    • UpgradeKetel One CitroenApprox. $22–30 · 750 ml

      Natural citrus notes and a fuller 40% ABV base make a cleaner, more structured Cosmo.

  • Modifier

    Orange liqueur

    For a Margarita, look for clear orange flavor and enough proof; the upgrade changes the style.

    • Best fit · RecommendedCointreau L’UniqueApprox. $27–38 · 750 ml

      Clean sweet-and-bitter orange keeps the classic Margarita bright.

    • Smart buyDeKuyper Triple SecApprox. $7–12 · 750 ml

      Simple orange sweetness for a budget Margarita.

    • UpgradeGrand Marnier Cordon RougeApprox. $32–45 · 750 ml

      Brandy depth makes a richer Cadillac-style Margarita, not a neutral swap.

Approximate U.S. shelf prices reviewed July 2026. Local price and availability vary.

Measured method

How to make Cosmopolitan

  1. 01

    Measure the Cosmopolitan

    1½ oz citron vodka · 1 oz cranberry · ½ oz orange · ½ oz lime

    Add 1½ oz citron vodka, 1 oz cranberry juice cocktail, ½ oz orange liqueur, and ½ oz fresh lime juice to the shaker.

  2. 02

    Shake bright and cold

    Shake with ice · 12 sec

    Fill the shaker with cubed ice, seal it, and shake hard for 12 seconds.

  3. 03

    Fine strain

    Fine strain into a chilled coupe

    Fine strain the Cosmopolitan into a chilled coupe.

  4. 04

    Express the lemon

    1 lemon peel

    Twist 1 lemon peel over the surface, then rest it on the rim, if using.

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Pick the step you are working on for contextual substitutions and technique notes.

Substitutions and step notes

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Set the station

Tools

  • Aged-brass Japanese-style jigger
    Jigger

    Recommended brandCocktail Kingdom Japanese Style Jigger

  • Aged-brass cocktail shaker
    Cocktail shaker

    Recommended brandCocktail Kingdom KORIKO Shaking Tins

  • Fine mesh cocktail strainer
    Fine strainer

    Recommended brandCocktail Kingdom COCO Mesh Cone

  • Empty clear coupe glass
    Coupe

    Recommended brandCocktail Kingdom Leopold Coupe

Know the pour

Medium-high

A short citron-vodka sour softened by cranberry and shake dilution.

Contains alcohol. Serve only to adults of legal drinking age and enjoy responsibly.