Cosmopolitan Recipe

Chill glass

Place a coupe or martini glass in the freezer for a few minutes or fill it with the optional 1/2 cup of ice to chill while you prepare the cocktail.

Combine ingredients

In a cocktail shaker, add 2 oz vodka, 1 oz triple sec (Cointreau), 1/2 oz freshly squeezed lime juice, 1/2 oz cranberry juice, and 1/4 oz simple syrup if you prefer a slightly sweeter balance.

Add ice and shake

Fill the shaker with approximately 1 cup of ice. Secure the shaker lid and shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds until the exterior of the shaker becomes very cold and condensation forms.

Prepare glass

If you chilled the glass with ice, discard the ice now. If you used the freezer, remove the glass and have it ready to receive the cocktail.

Strain

Double-strain the cocktail into the chilled coupe or martini glass using the shaker's built-in strainer and a fine-mesh strainer or Hawthorne/mesh if available. This removes small ice chips and ensures a clean, silky drink.

Garnish and serve

Express the oils of a lime or orange twist over the drink by holding the twist over the surface and giving it a quick squeeze, then rub the rim of the glass with the peel and drop the twist into the drink as garnish. Serve immediately.

Notes on substitutions

You can substitute plain vodka for citron vodka for a different citrus character. Adjust the simple syrup from 0 to 1/2 oz depending on cranberry tartness and personal sweetness preference. Use good-quality fresh lime juice for best flavor.