The Cosmopolitan is a legendary drink. Famous as the drink of choice for the women of Sex and the City, this delicious martini—when done right—resembles pink lemonade. If you’ve ever been to a bar or restaurant, chances are, you’ve heard of, seen, or even tried a Cosmopolitan. And while there are tons of ways to make this martini—different variations and flavors—nothing beats the classic.
However, that said, despite the fact that this cocktail only contains four ingredients, most people (including restaurants and bars), can’t seem to get it right. Because, dear reader, the key to making the perfect Cosmopolitan lies in the color of it.
The truth is, a Cosmopolitan never, ever be dark pink or red. It should always—and I mean always—be light pink in color (think: the color of Flawless World). The light pink color comes from using fresh lime juice instead of artificial lime juice, and using less of both the fresh lime juice and cranberry juice.
Still not convinced? Take my recipe below and try making it at home to see for yourself just how tasty this drink really is. Trust me: This recipe would make even Carrie Bradshaw jealous. Keep scrolling to learn how to make the perfect Cosmopolitan.
The Perfect Cosmopolitan:
RECIPE TYPE:
Cocktail, Martini
DIETARY INFO:
Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free
YIELDS:
1 Serving
Ingredients:
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
- Tito’s Vodka
- Triple Sec
- Fresh Lime Juice
- Cranberry Juice*
- 2 Limes
- Cocktail Shaker + Strainer
- Ice
- Chilled Martini Glass
*Substitute 5 calorie cranberry-apple juice for a healthier option.
Instructions:
*Disclaimer: I learned how to bartend using the free pour method, and that’s still how I make drinks today, but I’ve included the conversions below. That said, if you don’t have any measuring tools, don’t fret—you can use the free pour counting method below. All you have to do is simply count to that number in your head at a normal speed to get the right amount.
CONVERSION MEASUREMENTS:
- 6 count = 3 oz
- 4 count = 2 oz
- 2 count = 1/2 oz
PREP + FRESH LIME JUICE DIRECTIONS:
- Place martini glass in freezer beforehand (no more than 15-30 minutes) to chill. This will make the drink so much better.
- Slice both limes in 1/2, and take 3 out of the 4 halves and squeeze into separate glass to make fresh lime juice. Discard squeezed lime halves, and set unused half aside to use for garnishing.
HOW-TO:
- Fill cocktail shaker with lots of ice.
- Pour in a 6 count of vodka and a 4 count of triple sec.
- Add in a 2 count of lime juice and a 2 count of cranberry juice (or 5 calorie cranberry-apple juice if using healthier option).
- Cover cocktail shaker and shake well! Shaker should be cold to the touch.
- Remove chilled martini glass from freezer and strain in contents of cocktail shaker.
- Garnish with a slice of lime and enjoy responsibly.
Want to watch how it’s done? Check out my IGTV for a step-by-step tutorial.
