Cosmopolitan
The Cosmopolitan is an IBA Contemporary Classic: 4 ingredients, shaken and served in a coupe. That makes 127 ml in the glass: a middling measure.
MethodShaken
GlassCoupe
In the glass127 ml
Strength16.5%
Ingredients
- 40 mlcitron vodka
- 15 mlCointreau
- 15 mlfresh lime juice
- 30 mlcranberry juice
Method
- Add all ingredients into cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake well and strain into large cocktail glass.
Garnish: Garnish with lemon twist.
What it tastes like
- bitter → sweet
- It sits between bitter and sweet: 0.6 out of 10 of bitterness, 107th of 186 for sweetness.
- round → sour
- A sour through and through: 22nd of 186 for acidity, carried by fresh lime juice.
- light → strong
- 16.5% after dilution: the middle band, 74th of 186.
Among the five around it on the map it is the only one built on vodka.
Five that come close
- Bee’s KneesBuilt on gin and with gin in place of citron vodka.
- GimletSweeter and built on gin.
- New York SourBuilt on whisky and with rye whiskey in place of citron vodka.
- South SideBuilt on gin and with gin in place of citron vodka.
- Hemingway SpecialMore bitter and built on rum.
Every drink near the Cosmopolitan on the map
Recipe source: IBA · checked on 30 October 2026