All-American Cranberry Cosmo
5 min
|
easy
|
gluten-free,
lactose-free,
low-fat
Recipe by Eunice
Introduction
Meet the classic NYC Cosmo with a patriotic twist: tart cranberry, citrus vodka, triple sec, and fresh lime capped with a cheeky blue sugar rim that reads all-American, not sugary.
It shakes up icy-cold, clean, and balanced, perfect for July 4th, rooftop hangs, holiday parties, or girls night when you want a bright, bar-worthy sip fast.
Ingredients (1 serving)
Get Ingredients →Order the ingredients from your local store for pickup or delivery. You’ll check out through Instacart.
Ingredients
- 1½ fl oz citrus vodka citrus vodka 1.5 fl oz
- 1 fl oz cranberry juice cranberry juice 1 fl oz
- ½ fl oz triple sec orange liqueur triple sec orange liqueur 0.5 fl oz
- ½ fl oz freshly squeezed lime juice lime 0.5 ct (for freshly squeezed lime juice)
- ice ice
- lime, wheel (for garnish) lime 1 ct
- blue sanding sugar (optional) blue sanding sugar 0.2 oz
How to Make All-American Cranberry Cosmo
-
Chill the glass
Place a coupe or martini glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes so the drink stays razor cold and does not go flabby before the second sip.
-
Optional blue sugar rim
Swipe only the outside of half the rim with a fresh lime wedge, dip that section into blue sanding sugar, and let it set for 1 minute so the sugar does not bleed into the cocktail.
-
Load the shaker with ice
Fill a cocktail shaker three-quarters full with fresh, hard ice to control dilution and keep your shake fast and cold.
-
Measure and add the liquids
Add 1½ oz citrus vodka, 1 oz cranberry juice, ½ oz triple sec, and ½ oz fresh lime juice to the shaker, and measure with a jigger for balance that hits right every time.
-
Shake like you mean it
Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for 12 to 15 seconds until the tin frosts and the sound goes from clunky to tight, which tells you the drink is properly chilled and diluted.
-
Strain and garnish
Double strain into the chilled glass to catch ice chips, garnish with a lime wheel on the rim, and serve immediately while it is icy and bright.
Substitutions
- Citrus vodka -> plain vodka + citrus peel or orange bitters
- Use standard vodka and shake with a wide strip of lemon or orange peel, or add 2 to 3 dashes of orange bitters, which restores that zesty aroma and gives a clean, polished finish without extra sweetness.
- Triple sec -> Cointreau or dry curaçao
- Swap 1:1 for a slightly drier, more elegant orange note, which tightens the profile and keeps the cranberry front and center while preserving the ruby color.
- Cranberry juice -> unsweetened cranberry plus a touch of simple syrup, or pomegranate juice
- Unsweetened cranberry with 1 teaspoon simple syrup keeps the tart, red profile precise, while pomegranate gives a deeper red and a hint of berry richness that reads festive without turning the drink murky.
Tips
- Chill hard for a razor edge
- A deeply chilled glass and cold ingredients keep the cosmo crisp, so stash the glass in the freezer and keep your vodka in the fridge.
- Half rim is smarter than full rim
- Sugaring only half the rim looks chic and prevents a mouthful of sweetness with every sip, which keeps the balance in check.
- Fresh lime or skip the drink
- Bottle lime dulls the cocktail, so juice a lime right before shaking and measure the ½ oz so the tartness hits clean, not sour.
- Control dilution with fresh ice
- Use dense, fresh ice and a short, aggressive shake for 12 to 15 seconds, which chills fast and avoids a watery finish.
- Double strain for silk
- Pour through a fine mesh strainer to remove ice shards and pulp, which gives that glossy, bar-level texture.
- Micro-adjust the balance
- If your cranberry is very tart, add 1 barspoon simple syrup, and if it is too sweet, add 1 or 2 drops of saline or a tiny pinch of salt to sharpen flavors without making it sugary.
Nutrition Facts *
| Energy | 10 | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 0 | g |
| Total Fat | 0 | g |
| Carbohydrates | 3 | g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 | g |
* Approximate, per serving.
Data source: USDA FoodData Central.
FAQ
- My cosmo is too tart, how do I fix it without making it cloying?
- Add 1 barspoon simple syrup and 1 dash orange liqueur, shake again with ice, and strain, which rounds the lime while keeping the finish clean.
- The drink tastes sweet and flat, what now?
- Add 1 barspoon fresh lime juice and 1 dash cranberry, reshake quickly, and strain, which restores acidity and brightness.
- Why is my cosmo pale instead of that vivid red?
- Use regular cranberry juice, not white cranberry, and aim for brands with real juice, since cranberry cocktail with low juice can look washed out.
- The sugar rim will not stick, what am I doing wrong?
- Wet the outside of the rim with a fresh lime wedge, avoid the inside of the glass, dip gently in sugar, then let it set for a minute before pouring.
- I do not have a shaker, can I still make this?
- Use a large mason jar with a tight lid and shake with plenty of ice for 15 seconds, then pour through a fine strainer for a smooth result.
- How can I batch this for a party?
- Stir together 3 cups citrus vodka, 2 cups cranberry juice, 1 cup triple sec, and 1 cup fresh lime juice in a pitcher, chill for at least 2 hours, then shake each serving with ice and strain so every glass is cold and properly diluted.
- Can I make a non-alcoholic version?
- Shake 1½ oz NA citrus spirit, 1 oz cranberry juice, ½ oz NA orange liqueur or ½ oz orange juice, and ½ oz fresh lime, then strain and garnish the same way for a crisp mocktail.
Serving Suggestions
This beauty loves salty snacks, so park it next to warm rosemary almonds or a shrimp cocktail with a little Old Bay and watch the flavors pop.
For a party spin, float a splash of dry sparkling wine for a spritzy top or drop in three frozen cranberries to keep it cold without extra dilution and give it that red, white, and blue wink with the sugar rim.
Reviews
We haven’t received any feedback on this recipe yet.
Made this recipe? How did it go?
Please leave your feedback below. We’d love to hear from you!
