Cosmopolitan

Whether you love her or hate her, Carrie Bradshaw got one thing right at least—the Cosmopolitan is a perfect cocktail. It’s filled with tart, citrus flavors that strike an ideal balance, and packs a real punch. If you’re honing your at-home bartender game, then this classic cocktail is an easy one you should master for dinner parties, movie nights, or simply a post-work cocktail. Here’s everything you need to know:

How To Make A Cosmopolitan

INGREDIENTS

• Citrus Vodka: You can use whatever brand of vodka you prefer, but make sure that it's citrus flavored. You want the citrus flavor to shine through the cranberry juice, so don’t substitute for plain vodka. Need some inspo? Check out our list of the best vodka brands.
• Cointreau: I highly recommend using Cointreau in this recipe instead of your typical triple sec. Cointrea will be drier with a higher-alcohol content than most triple secs, and you want this Cosmopolitan to be the best of the best.
• Cranberry Juice: You can use your favorite brand of cranberry juice, but I recommend using cranberry juice instead of cranberry juice cocktail so your drink won’t be overly sweet.
• Lime: Fresh lime juice is essential here—we’ll use the other half as a garnish!

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

This cocktail couldn’t be easier to create. In two steps, happy hour can begin! First, add your vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice, and freshly squeezed lime juice to your cocktail shaker. Fill the rest of the shaker with ice, then shake vigorously until the shaker is cold and your drink is well chilled (be prepared for chilly hands).

Once done, strain into martini glasses, then garnish with a fresh lime wedge and cranberries if you desire. Cheers!

The full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe below.

Recipe Tips

• Batch it. This recipe makes 2 servings, but this is a great cocktail to batch and serve a crowd. Double (or triple) the ingredients, combine in a pitcher, then let chill until you’re ready to serve.