How to Make a Perfect Cosmopolitan

Rim your glass with sugar to add a sweet touch to your Cosmopolitan.

The Cosmopolitan is a simple fruity cocktail that you can make at home. Since the Cosmopolitan is related to the Martini and the Sidecar and is served chilled without ice, you will need a shaker to make your Cosmopolitan. Use fresh lime juice if possible, and chill your glass in the freezer before serving. If you want a Cosmopolitan with a lower alcohol content, use orange juice instead of orange liqueur. Slice lime into wedges, then slice each along the center just down to the rind. This will make rimming and garnishing easier.

Things You'll Need

• Sugar
• 1 1/2 oz vodka
• 1 oz orange liqueur or orange juice
• 3 oz cranberry juice
• 1 oz lime juice
• Lime wedge
• Small plate
• Cocktail shaker

Instructions

1. Pour sugar onto a saucer or small plate that is slightly larger than the rim of your glass. Make sure the sugar is about 1/4 inch deep. Take a lime wedge and run it around the rim of your glass. Turn the glass over and dip into sugar. Remove glass from sugar and turn upright. Your glass should have a light coating of sugar around the rim. If not, try again with a new glass.

2. Separate the two portions of your cocktail shaker. Fill bottom portion of cocktail shaker with ice. In your cocktail shaker pour the vodka, orange liqueur or orange juice, cranberry juice and lime juice.

3. Place top portion of cocktail shaker onto bottom portion. Tap lightly to make sure the two halves stay together while you shake. Shake for 10 to 20 seconds.

4. Strain into chilled and rimmed martini glass.

5. Take a lime wedge and slide it on the side of the martini glass. Serve.

Tips & Warnings

• Garnish with orange slices and strawberries if you prefer.

• If you do not have fresh limes, use 1 oz of lime cordial or concentrated lime juice.

• Add 2 dashes of orange bitters for added punch.

• Remember, the legal drinking age is 21.

• Consume in moderation and never drink and drive.

References

• "Esquire": Cosmopolitan
• Oh Gosh!; Revisiting the Cosmopolitan; May 2008
• Mix That Drink: How to Rim a Glass