Cosmopolitan: Pink Vodka co*cktail (2024)

The Cosmopolitan co*cktail hit our radar in the 1990s before we met each other or sipped the pink drink ourselves. Although we weren’t huge co*cktail drinkers back then, the drink was practically impossible to miss on TV and in New York City bars where we lived and worked at the time.

Sure, serious drinkers will want to order a dry martini or city centric Manhattan or Bronx when they dine at New York City restaurants. But, in a metropolis filled with millions of imbibers looking to stand out, the vivid pink Cosmo is popular too.

Fun Fact
The Cosmopolitan co*cktail is also known as the Cosmo. We use both names interchangeably in this article.

Fast forward to the present and things have changed…

We now drink co*cktails at bars and craft them at home. And, in a timely twist of fate, the show that made the Cosmo popular has been rebooted and is back on TV yet again.

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The modern Cosmopolitan co*cktail is a sour vodka co*cktail crafted with vodka citron, triple sec, cranberry co*cktail juice and freshly squeezed lime juice. Beyond its uncredited role on Sex and the City, the Cosmo stands apart from similar sour co*cktails thanks to to its pretty pink hue.

However, don’t be misled by the Cosmo’s feminine appearance. Yes, its pink. Yes, its martini glass vessel has a stem that’s as slim as a stiletto heel. It’s also a serious sipper that’s absolutely appropriate for men and women alike.

Fun Fact
Worldly is a synonym for cosmopolitan.

co*cktail historians trace the Cosmo back to the 1930s when it was crafted with a different name (Cosmopolitan Daisy) and different ingredients (dry gin, triple sec, lemon juice and raspberry syrup). While that co*cktail didn’t become a modern classic, the Cosmo found new life in the 1980s in cities like Miami, San Francisco and New York City with a vodka-based recipe.

Today, the Cosmopolitan isn’t just one of the world’s most popular vodka co*cktails. It’s also one of the most popular co*cktails period.

You only need the following items to craft a Cosmo at home:

Ingredient quantities are detailed in the printable recipe card below.

You probably have most of these ingredients on hand. However, if you’re like us, you may need to buy a bottle of citrus-flavored vodka at your local liquor store.

We bought a bottle of Absolut Citron for this and other co*cktail recipes. Distilled in Sweden, the lemon-flavored vodka has a 40% ABV.

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However, we didn’t have to buy a bottle of triple sec. Since Cointreau is our triple sec of choice, we already had a bottle of the French orange liqueur with a similar 40% ABV.

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The first step in this recipe is to measure the four liquid and pour each into a shaker. We use a Japanese jigger for this step since it provides accurate measurements while reducing spillage.

Buy a Japanese jigger from Amazon if you need a jigger or want an inexpensive upgrade.

Next, drop a handful of ice into the shaker and vigorously shake until the liquids are chilled and combined – approximately 20 seconds. We use a Boston shaker for this step since it doesn’t leak and is easy to clean.

Garnish with a lime wheel.

Pro Tip
Slice the lime wheel before you squeeze your lime.

You could alternatively garnish your Cosmo with an orange twist. In fact, a twist of orange peel is the pink drink’s traditional garnish.

Using a lime is our preference since the co*cktail contains lime juice. Plus, Mindi is partial to combining pink and green ever since she read The Official Preppy Handbook when she was a teenager.

While you have to admit that the Cosmopolitan co*cktail is a pretty drink, feel free to experiment with its recipe to make it your own. Here are are a few ideas to get you started:

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Frequently Asked Questions

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