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 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 difference between a cosmopolitan and Metropolitan co*cktail? ›

The key difference is that instead of citrus vodka, metropolitans use black currant vodka. Absolut Kurant and Burnett's Blackberry are budget-friendly, quality options.

What is vodka and cranberry juice called? ›

The Cape Cod or Cape Codder is a type of co*cktail consisting of vodka and cranberry juice. Some recipes also call for squeezing a lime wedge over the glass and dropping it into the drink.

Which is better, triple sec or Cointreau? ›

While Cointreau is a premium option with a higher price point and ABV, triple sec is a more affordable and sweeter alternative. Regardless of your preference, Red & White offers both options for purchase, making it a convenient one-stop-shop for all your liquor needs.

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

Is triple sec the same as Cointreau? ›

While Grand Marnier and Cointreau are brand names of specific products, Triple Sec is actually a category in and of itself. Many brands make Triple Sec — in fact, Cointreau itself is a triple sec. The alcohol content in different types of Triple Sec vary quite a bit – from about 15 percent to as much as 40 percent.

What does bruising mean in bartending? ›

Bruised: When a co*cktail or martini has be over shaken and pieces of ice and oxygen bubble forms. This results in a cloudy or murky looking co*cktail.

What's the main alcohol in a Cosmopolitan? ›

Cosmopolitan co*cktails are a classic, elegant vodka co*cktail made famous by the ladies of Sex and the City! Not to sweet, not too tart, super quick to make made with cranberry juice, lime juice, vodka and cointreau. Serve this for elegant pre dinner drinks, to ring in the New Year or an evening in with the girls!

What type of person drinks a Cosmopolitan? ›

Those who pick a Cosmopolitan as their co*cktail of choice enjoy their freedom and independence and like to make a bold statement. Sipping a Cosmopolitan says to the world that you're a trendsetter, the life and soul of the party and a natural leader too.

What does ordering a Cosmopolitan say about you? ›

Those who pick a Cosmopolitan as their co*cktail of choice enjoy their freedom and independence and like to make a bold statement. Sipping a Cosmopolitan says to the world that you're a trendsetter, the life and soul of the party and a natural leader too.

Is A Cosmopolitan stronger than a martini? ›

The Cosmopolitan is a great option for those who prefer sweeter drinks, while the Martini is a more classic and sophisticated choice for those who prefer a stronger, more complex flavour profile.

What is squirt and vodka called? ›

“It's a quality mixer that sparkles your drinks and never dulls drink flavors.” Also during the '60s, the brand advertised recipes for co*cktails like the Squadka (Squirt and vodka) and the Squiskey, which is, you guessed it, a combination of Squirt and bourbon or rye whiskey.

What is a rum and co*ke called? ›

Rum and co*ke, or the Cuba libre (/ˌkjuːbə ˈliːbreɪ/ KEW-bə LEE-bray, Spanish: [ˈkuβa ˈliβɾe]; literally "Free Cuba"), is a highball co*cktail consisting of cola, rum, and in many recipes lime juice on ice.

What is grapefruit juice and vodka called? ›

The Greyhound is a tangy, citrus-edged combination of vodka and grapefruit juice that has evolved over time into a great drink.

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

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

Is Grand Marnier or Cointreau better in a margarita? Both are great! Grand Marnier is a bit more complex in flavor and is great for making high-end co*cktails, like a Cadillac Margarita.

Does Grand Marnier taste like Cointreau? ›

The main differenceis the base spirit used to create them. Grand Marnier is made with a blend of Cognac and orange distillate. It has a sweet and slightly bitter taste with hints of oak and spice. Cointreau is drier and less sweet, with a more straightforward orange taste.

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