California Cosmopolitan co*cktail Recipe (2024)

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A classic co*cktail with a serious twist, this California Cosmopolitan is an easy co*cktail option with a bright citrus flavor and a twinkling look.

Serve this at your summer party as a refreshing, sweet, and zesty co*cktail option or even as a holiday party to bring some brightness to the cold winter months.

California Cosmopolitan co*cktail Recipe (1)

If you’re looking for ideas on how to set up a party for the warmer months, how about hosting an outdoor luau or a Mexican fiesta.

If you’re looking for ideas for how to set up a party for the colder months, here are some elegant Christmas party themes.

Contents

Why You’re Going To Love This co*cktail

  • Full of tasty and refreshing citrus flavors that will ring in the holidays with every sip.
  • Lighter and healthier than Eggnog. As much as I love Eggnog, I need a fruit alternative to serve.
  • Easy to whip up: this recipe can be made up in 5 minutes, guys.
  • Make ahead of time: you can make this recipe earlier in the day and keep it in the fridge.

Ingredients and Supplies

  • Pinnacle vodka. I love Pinnacle Vodka as my preferred vodka but go ahead and use whichever brand is your favorite.
  • Triple sec. Works so beautifully with the citrus flavors.
  • Orange juice. Go ahead and squeeze your own if you like or pick up your favorite store-bought OJ.
  • Lemon juice. Balances like a dream with OJ.
  • Sanding sugar. I love the look of this bright yellow sanding sugar.
  • Martini glasses. You can, of course, use any other pretty co*cktail glass; this one is the classic choice.

How To Make This co*cktail

Here’s how to whip up this super simple recipe:

Step 1: Prepare the glasses

Dampen the rim of yourmartini glass with a wet paper towel. Dip the rim in sanding sugar to give them some sparkle and a touch ofsweetness.

I used yellow to complement the color of the co*cktail.

Step 2: Make the co*cktail

Combine vodka, triple sec, orange juice, and lemon juice in a pitcher. You can chill in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.

California Cosmopolitan co*cktail Recipe (3)

And for my final garnish, I cut a round slice of orange, removed the juicy orange part, then thinned out the peel with a paring knife. I held it in a tight twist for a few seconds, and let go. It made the prettiest garnish!

What I love about this drink is the sweetness from theTriple Sec and the acidicpunchfrom the orange and lemon juices.It’s a nicely balanced co*cktail with fun boldness.

Tips and Substitutions

  • For the ultimate co*cktail, use freshly-juiced citrus.
  • Garnish with a twist of lemon or orange or a combination of both.
  • Adjust the sweetness with a splash of agave nectar or simple syrup if your juices are slightly sour.
  • If you have stored your co*cktail in the fridge, shake it quickly before serving it.
  • You can use some fresh limes if you don’t have lemons. Fresh lime juice takes a bit of time to squeeze but it’s delicious!

FAQs

What drink is California known for?

Being grape country – California is best known for its American wines.

What liquor serves as the base for the classic Cosmopolitan?

Vodka is the key alcohol in a classic Cosmo.

Is a Cosmopolitan sour?

It’s a well-balanced drink in fact – sweet and sour taste with a touch of bitterness.

What food goes well with this co*cktail?

We recommend parmesan crisps and veggies with our and delicious lemon chive goat cheese dip, or these delicious herb gruyère gougères.

Other co*cktails You Might Like

  • Sea Breeze co*cktail
  • Summer Citrus Sangria
  • Summer Blueberry Mojito
  • Cranberry Orange Martini
  • Champagne Mojitos
  • Mint Orange Bitters Mocktail Recipe

Let me know if you use this recipe at your co*cktail party. I’d love to hear what you think.

California Cosmopolitan co*cktail Recipe (6)

California Cosmopolitan co*cktail

Here’s our fun holiday to serve during the holidays. Most people think of eggnog or peppermint as their Christmas flavors of choice, but when I think winter… I think citrus!

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Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Course: co*cktail

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 250kcal

Author: Jillian Tohber Leslie

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Pinnacle vodka
  • ½ cup triple sec
  • ½ cup orange juice
  • ½ cup lemon juice
  • ¼ cup sanding sugar for the rim of the glass

Instructions

  • Dampen the rim of your martini glass with a wet paper towel. Dip the rim in sanding sugar to give the glasses some sparkle and the drink a touch of sweetness. I used yellow to complement the color of the co*cktail.

  • Combine vodka, triple sec, orange juice, and lemon juice in a pitcher. You can chill in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.

Notes

To garnish, I cut a round slice of orange, removed the juicy orange part, then thinned out the peel with a paring knife. I held it in a tight twist for a few seconds, and let go.

Nutrition

Calories: 250kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.05g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 103mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 64IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

California Cosmopolitan co*cktail Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can you use Grand Marnier instead of Cointreau in a Cosmopolitan? ›

You can use Triple Sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier in our cosmopolitan recipe.

What is the difference between a Cosmopolitan and Metropolitan co*cktail? ›

New York City bartender Chuck Coggins is credited with inventing the drink in 1993. Like the cosmopolitan, metropolitans have a vodka base with cranberry, orange liqueur, and lime juice, per MasterClass. The key difference is that instead of citrus vodka, metropolitans use black currant vodka.

What are the ingredients in on the rocks Cosmopolitan? ›

On the OTR Cosmopolitan co*cktail

It is a classic, timeless favorite for a reason; our Cosmopolitan co*cktail recipe is made with imported EFFEN® vodka for exceptional smoothness. Often referred to as 'The Cosmo,' this pink co*cktail blends vodka with tart flavors of cranberry, triple sec, lemon, and lime.

What is the difference between a Cosmo and a vodka cranberry drink? ›

What is the difference between a Cosmopolitan and a vodka cranberry? While both co*cktails contain vodka and cranberry juice, the Cosmopolitan typically includes lime juice and triple sec as well, giving it a more complex flavor profile.

Which is better in a Cosmo Cointreau or Grand Marnier? ›

In our opinion, Cointreau is more versatile in co*cktails.

With its light orange flavor and clean finish, it works well with lighter base spirits like light rums, gin, tequila, and vodka. Grand Marnier is much heavier, which can throw off a lighter style co*cktail like a Corpse Reviver #2 or Cosmopolitan.

What is the best orange liqueur for a Cosmopolitan? ›

Dekuyper Triple Sec Liqueur

This is a classic for a reason—it's sweet but not overly so, and provides just the right amount of citrus flavor for any co*cktail, from a Margarita to a Cosmopolitan.

What type of person drinks a Cosmopolitan? ›

The Cosmopolitan - The Socialite

Cosmo drinkers don't mess with beer or house wines. It's a dynamic drink for an equally dynamic personality. The Cosmo lover will be considered family at the best co*cktails bar in town, and may also own a dog that fits nicely in a purse.

What can you substitute for triple sec in a Cosmopolitan? ›

Easy triple sec substitutions to try
  • Grand Marnier. Grand Marnier is our top triple sec substitution. ...
  • Cointreau. Cointreau liqueur also makes a great substitute for triple sec. ...
  • Curaçao. ...
  • Combier Liqueur d'Orange. ...
  • Maraschino Liqueur. ...
  • Orange extract. ...
  • Grenadine. ...
  • St-Germain.
May 11, 2023

Which is better in a Cosmo triple sec or Cointreau? ›

The ever-popular Cosmopolitan co*cktail is a delicious and relatively easy co*cktail to make at home. It's usually made with Cointreau or generic triple sec (we definitely recommend Cointreau, if we're being honest).

What drink numbs your mouth at the Cosmopolitan? ›

with one of the most popular drinks in Las Vegas? and making your mouth go completely numb? you can find it at the Chandelier Bar. at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. it's called the Verbena co*cktail, and it has a lemonade type vibe.

Why do you shake a cosmopolitan? ›

Because a Cosmo contains juice, it needs to be shaken. Most bartenders follow a simple rule: if it contains citrus, shake! Shaking mixes the ingredients together properly and introduces air bubbles, so the drink pours out aerated.

What is the best vodka for Cosmopolitans? ›

What Is the Best Vodka for a Cosmo? While purists will insist on a lemon-accented citron vodka such as Absolut Citron (and I recommend as much), there are more than a few ways to approach the cosmopolitan. The citrus accents to the vodka are somewhat key, however, unless you want to add lemon juice on your own.

What is the special drink at the Cosmopolitan? ›

Concocted by Mariena Mercer, lead mixologist at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, the Verbena co*cktail is a lemon verbena and ginger infused margarita garnished with a Sichuan flower. Order the drink, and your bartender will instruct you to eat the flower first.

Is Cosmo a girl drink? ›

The classic Cosmopolitan is a very simple drink that undoubtedly one of the most popular co*cktails of all time. "Sex and the City" made it famous when the Cosmo became the drink of choice of the show's glamorous Manhattan women. It soon became the ultimate girly drink, even if it's perfect for everyone alike.

What is a substitute for Cointreau in a cosmopolitan? ›

You can substitute triple sec for Cointreau in drinks like cosmopolitans, margaritas, kamikazes, long island iced tea, and sidecars. In baked goods, triple sec can be used in place of Cointreau. Triple sec is also an excellent substitution for any dessert that calls for Cointreau.

What can I use instead of Cointreau for Cosmo? ›

Our Top 9 Best Cointreau Alternatives
  1. Grand Marnier. Grand Marnier is our top substitute for Cointreau. ...
  2. Triple Sec. Triple sec is a clear, orange-flavored liqueur commonly used as a substitution for Cointreau in co*cktails and baking. ...
  3. Curaçao. ...
  4. Aperol. ...
  5. Campari. ...
  6. Combier Liqueur d'Orange. ...
  7. Luxardo Triplum. ...
  8. Bols Dry Orange.
Mar 8, 2023

What can you substitute for triple sec in a cosmopolitan? ›

Easy triple sec substitutions to try
  • Grand Marnier. Grand Marnier is our top triple sec substitution. ...
  • Cointreau. Cointreau liqueur also makes a great substitute for triple sec. ...
  • Curaçao. ...
  • Combier Liqueur d'Orange. ...
  • Maraschino Liqueur. ...
  • Orange extract. ...
  • Grenadine. ...
  • St-Germain.
May 11, 2023

Can I use Grand Marnier instead of Cointreau in a margarita? ›

Are they interchangeable? The answers are yes and no. While Cointreau and Grand Marnier aren't the same style of orange liqueur and therefore aren't exactly interchangeable, you can still make substitutions if necessary– with some small adjustments.

References

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