The Best Cosmopolitan – Sure you can have this amazing cranberry cocktail all year long, but it is just so pretty around the holidays, making it one of my favorite Christmas cocktails! With fresh lime juice, cranberry juice, Cointreau, and vodka (I used my cranberry infused vodka!) it’s simple, but delicious!
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Cranberry Cocktails
I love to drink cranberry cocktails all year long, but around the holiday season, they are just so pretty in front of a Christmas tree, aren’t they?
When looking for cranberry cocktails, one that everyone is familiar with is the Cosmopolitan. Especially if, like me, you faithfully watched every single episode of Sex and the City.
The Best Cosmopolitan Cocktail
What makes this The Best Cosmopolitan Cocktail recipe? In place of vodka, I’ve used my homemade cranberry liqueur! It gives you double cranberry flavor! Now, don’t worry, you can still make this cocktail with regular vodka, but this is the perfect reason to get a bottle of homemade cranberry liqueur started!
Since the homemade cranberry liqueur is sweetened, if you are afraid the drink will be too sweet, you can use unsweetened cranberry juice. I’ve made it both with unsweetened and sweetened and loved them both!
Tips for Making a Cosmopolitan Cocktail
A few tips for making a Cosmopolitan: since it has so few ingredients, you want to make sure you use high quality liquor. I recommend Cointreau and a good quality vodka (if you aren’t using my cranberry liqueur.)
Serve this in a chilled cocktail glass, so put your glass in the freezer for about 3 to 4 hours. You can do a quick chill by filling the glass with ice and swirling it around. Let it sit while you make the cocktail and then pour it out, when you are ready to pour the cocktail into the glass. You can dry the glass with a paper towel if you’d like, I usually don’t bother.
Making a Cosmopolitan is easy: fill a cocktail shaker (this black set is amazing!) with ice, add the fresh lime juice, cranberry juice, cointreau, and vodka (or cranberry liqueur.) Shake for about 30 seconds, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.
If you’re in the mood for more cranberry cocktails, you’ll love this Cranberry Negroni or how about this Cranberry Manhattan and if you want your cranberries in a cookie form, this biscotti is so festive!
The Best Cosmopolitan
Ingredients
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- 1/2 oz Cointreau
- 1 1/2 oz homemade cranberry liqueur or vodka
- lime slice for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add lime juice, cranberry juice, Cointreau, and homemade cranberry liqueur (or vodka) to the cocktail shaker.
- Shake for 30 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Notes
Nutrition
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Update Notes: This was originally published in 2011 and has been updated for 2018.
Danielle says
November 10, 2018 at 2:04 amOh that looks so good right about now. Been up since 4am with a toddler!
Cheers to the weekend!
Pam Greer says
November 10, 2018 at 7:18 amOh no! Yes you could definitely use one!
Diana says
November 10, 2018 at 1:47 amI’m such a big fan of cosmopolitian cocktail but never tried making my own. Your version sounds so good and the tips sound very useful.
Pam Greer says
November 10, 2018 at 7:18 amYou would love it! And, they are so easy!
Matt @ Plating Pixels says
November 9, 2018 at 11:45 pmI just brought home some cranberry flavored vodka from Russia. Looks like a great use for that!
Pam Greer says
November 10, 2018 at 7:19 amOh that would be perfect! I need to look for it!
Jillian says
November 9, 2018 at 11:19 pmThese photos are so fun! Perfect for the holidays!
Pam Greer says
November 10, 2018 at 7:19 amIt is the perfect holiday cocktail, everyone loves them.
Taylor Kiser says
November 9, 2018 at 8:42 pmThis is cocktail perfection! Cheers!
Pam Greer says
November 10, 2018 at 7:19 amCheers!
Couscous & Consciousness says
January 17, 2011 at 9:13 amOh Pam – that cosmopolitan looks amazing – I am definitely checking that out!
Sue xo
Amy says
January 15, 2011 at 7:04 pmLove cocktails! 🙂 Thanks for sharing the recipe.
I’m having the very first GIVEAWAY on my blog. Please stop by to submit an entry. Good luck.
http://utry.it/2011/01/happy-birthday-to-meand-very-first.html
Corinnea says
January 15, 2011 at 1:14 pmYum! Your photo is awesome and yummy too.
Donnie says
January 15, 2011 at 2:37 amThat looks so good. Congrats on being a contributor.
Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe says
January 14, 2011 at 11:22 pmThat is also a friday’s favorite… I’m linking you up.
(no drinking and linking you know)
Michelle says
January 14, 2011 at 6:02 pmOh the days of yummy beverages!
Marjie says
January 14, 2011 at 10:42 pmA solid week of not “really” cooking posts! Perfection! I love the color of this drink, and I need some glasses like that.
Lyndsey says
January 14, 2011 at 3:26 pmJust in time for the weekend! Yes, we’ll all have to meet for cocktails! So made mixes and so little time!
Terri says
January 14, 2011 at 3:11 pmYummy yummy!
I love to make things with booze. I make Tipsy Cherries and Drunken Cranberries. Now I will have to try yours!
Brittany says
January 14, 2011 at 2:34 pmOhhh…that cosmo is a great idea!! I need to make that liqueur!
a moderate life says
January 14, 2011 at 6:01 pmHi Pam! Whoo hoo, me do love a cosmo! Wanted to thank you for linking up to our new Foodie Follow me home Friday! Hope others do the same to get high quality new food friends! Have a great weeekend! Alex
Big Dude says
January 14, 2011 at 5:53 pmThis looks like a drink Bev would love so I added cranberries to todays store list. I also appreciate the link to the drink blog.
My Carolina Kitchen says
January 14, 2011 at 12:45 pmI adore cosmos and I’m headed over to check it out.
Sam
21st Century Housewife© says
January 14, 2011 at 11:24 amHi there! Thanks so much for joining in Feed Me Tweet Me! I’m following you from there – Have a great weekend!
Joanne says
January 14, 2011 at 11:16 amThe cranberry flavor in these must be crazy intense! Going over to check you out! 😛
Kaytee says
January 14, 2011 at 3:04 pmThis again reminds me that I need to make that cranberry liqueur. But luckily, I have both cranberries and vodka now! To the kitchen I go!
Judi says
January 14, 2011 at 2:16 pmYea! I’ll try it tonight.
Barbara says
January 14, 2011 at 12:55 pmYou reminded me…luckily I have two frozen packages AND I saw some in the market as well.
Melynda says
January 14, 2011 at 11:23 amYUM, my cranberry goodie is ready so this will be great, as soon as I get home from work.