The Best Cosmopolitan Variations

The Cosmo! Yet again, its origin story is as blurry as a whole night drinking them. Many different bartenders have claimed it as their own, most notably Toby Cecchini in 80s New York bar The Odeon.

More famously though, Sex & The City were the ones to put it on the map, with Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda never going too long without one. As we mentioned in our Iconic Cocktails from TV & Film breakdown, there are even forums dedicated to analysing the different Cosmos in the films!

The silver screen fired the Cosmopolitan to cocktail stardom and although it’s still popular, it’s ordered less and less these days. What better time then, to remind you of how great it is and to introduce you to some twists with these brilliant Cosmopolitan Variations!?

The Original – for the vodka lovers

Whenever you embark on a mixology tangent, it’s best to nail down the original first, right? A classic Cosmo packs a sweet and tangy punch, but one that feels fresh and clean rather than cloying or slush-puppy-ish in any way.

Ingredients
45ml (1.5oz) quality vodka (you could use citrus flavour)
15ml (0.5oz) Triple Sec
30ml (1oz) cranberry juice
A dash of lime
Garnish: orange zest

Method
Shake up good vodka with triple sec, cranberry juice, a handful of ice, and a dash of lime juice for added zip. Get your shake on, and then pour the mix into a martini glass with orange zest for the quintessential Cosmo experience! 

Cosmobellini – for the wine lovers

Fairly self-explanatory, this is a hybrid of the original Cosmo and the Bellini. Transforming into a refreshing brunch cocktail, this is a mellower, softer experience with less intense tang, and more gentle aromatics and sweetness. A bit of fizz always makes a nice switch-up.

Ingredients
30ml (1oz) vodka
10ml (0.3oz) triple sec/Cointreau
15ml (0.5oz) cranberry juice
10ml (0.3oz) white peach puree
A dash of lime
30ml (1oz) Prosecco

Method
A lot of shaking here to mix everything, so just add all ingredients except the Prosecco, strain into a chilled flute and top up with your bubbles to serve. Voila! 

The French Cosmopolitan – for the cognac lovers

We love Grand Marnier at The Three Drinkers, and swapping out the orange liqueur for it makes so much sense. Whilst it is still half orange (all be it bitter orange), the other half is cognac which adds a smooth richness and a different kind of fruitiness.

Ingredients
45ml (1.5oz) vodka
20ml (2/3oz) Grand Marnier
25ml (5.6oz) cranberry juice
A dash of lime
A dash of grenadine 
Garnish: orange zest

Method
Shake everything with a generous helping of ice until it feels cold to the touch, then strain. The garnish is up to you as any citrus goes, but we think some orange makes the most sense!

Strawberry Cosmo – for the strawberry lovers

This is a really simple twist on the original, but if you just want to try something only a little different it’s perfect. Fresh, muddled strawberries take the place of cranberry juice for a less tangy, more sweet fruity freshness.  

Ingredients
45ml (1.5oz) vodka (citrus flavour works well)
15ml (0.5oz) Triple Sec
30ml (1oz) muddled strawberries
A dash of lime
Garnish: strawberry

Method
Muddle sweet strawberries and shake with vodka, triple sec, fresh lime, and a load of ice. Double strain into a chilled glass and add a sliced strawberry garnish to finish.

Citrus Cosmo – for the citrus lovers

The Citrus Cosmo is the fruitiest variation, with serious zip and tang. There are tonnes of good lemon or lime-flavoured vodkas out there (check out our Best Flavoured Vodka), and whichever you pick, just add the opposite for the juice e.g. using lime vodka? Use fresh lemon juice below. Served with tonnes of ice, this is a lively citrus-forward take on the original that’s delicious over summer.

 Ingredients
45ml (1.5oz) lemon/lime vodka (like Masons Citrus)
15ml (0.5oz) cranberry juice
20ml (2/3oz) fresh orange juice
20ml (2/3oz) fresh lemon/lime juice
Dash of syrup (optional)

Method
All the hard work is done squeezing the fruits here – once that’s done, simply shake it all with ice, strain and pour! If you want it a little sweeter, add a dash of syrup.

ELDERFLOWER Cosmo – for aromatic lovers

With no cranberry or orange liqueur, this aromatic blend may be deemed heresy by the traditionalists, but cocktails are about experimentation! It’s wonderfully fragrant and floral with completely different notes to a usual Cosmo. It’s fresh, slightly tropical, and super refreshing – give it a go!

Ingredients
45ml (1.5oz) vodka (try Shanty Seaweed)
20ml (2/3oz) elderflower liqueur
20ml (2/3oz) pineapple juice
Dash of lemon
Dash of rose water (optional)
Garnish: basil

Method
Shake, shake, shake with ice, strain, and serve over large ice cubes and sip in the sun.

Vodka will always be centre stage in a Cosmo so the easiest way to mix it up is to embrace one of the many amazing, flavoured vodkas available right now!

The 10 Most Popular Cocktails in the World

A classic cocktail is a beautiful thing. Sweet, bitter, fruity, strong, there’s something for everyone. In a world where new cocktails are invented every day with ever increasingly odd names, there’s a reason each of these classics holds up.

Fentimans have narrowed down the world’s favourite cocktails to these 10, and we’re giving you a reminder on how to make each one. Shakers at the ready!

10. PINA COLADA

The definitive tropical cocktail. It’s part beverage, part smoothie (if you want it to sound healthier) and the perfect choice for you drinkers with a sweet tooth.

Ingredients:
60ml white rum
60ml coconut cream
120ml crushed pineapple/pineapple juice
Garnish: pineapple Wedge

Method: The blender is coming out for this one. Combine 60ml of your favourite white rum, with the same amount of coconut cream. Add 120ml of pineapple juice or crushed pineapple, a handful of ice, and blend. A wedge of pineapple for the garnish and you’re there. Umbrella optional ;)

9. COSMOPOLITAN

Sweet, tangy, and packing a punch, we love the Cosmo for its fresh and clean feel. 

Ingredients:
45ml vodka
15ml Triple Sec
30ml cranberry juice
a dash of lime
Garnish: orange zest

Method: Dust off the cocktail shaker and combine the vodka (citrus flavoured works well), triple sec, cranberry juice, a cup of ice, and a dash of lime juice for added freshness. Get your shake on, and then pour the mix into a martini glass with orange zest for the quintessential Cosmo experience!

8. OLD FASHIONED

Over 200 years old and still going strong, there is a reason the Old Fashioned is the most popular cocktail in the US today. It’s simple, dark, and delicious.

Ingredients:
40ml bourbon
2 tsp sugar syrup/1 tsp sugar
2-3 dashes of bitters
Garnish: orange slice & Maraschino cherry

Method: Take your glass and add in the sugar syrup (or sugar), a tiny splash of water, and 2 or 3 dashes of bitters depending on your preference. Stir, layer with ice, pour in your favourite bourbon whiskey over the top and garnish with orange slice and maraschino cherry for the complete cocktail. Some people like to add a little soda water too so make it how you like it best. There are no strict rules when it comes to cocktails!

7. APEROL SPRITZ

Created in Italy and now Germany’s favourite, Aperol Spritz is one of the most straightforward cocktails you can make. Just 3 ingredients give you a true taste of summer. 

Ingredients:
50ml Aperol
75ml prosecco
soda water

Method: Pop a few ice cubes in your glass and combine the Aperol and prosecco. Top up with soda, stir gently to keep the fizz and then garnish with a slice of orange! Voilà! Again, you can adjust the ratios for your tastes and mood.

6. SANGRIA

Synonymous with Spain and Portugal, a cold jug of sangria on a hot day is hard to beat which is why it’s the top wine-based cocktail in the world.

Ingredients (for a jug)
750ml good red wine
100ml brandy
200g berries
2 oranges
2 pears
2 lemons

Method: Chop two oranges, two pears and two lemons. Add them along with 200g of whatever red berries you like best, into a bowl and sprinkle sugar and cinnamon over them. Fill a jug with ice, your fruit, brandy and red wine. Stir, taste, and add in a little triple sec if you want it stronger, or some sparkling water for the opposite. Enjoy!

5. MARTINI

The choice of 007, and apparently millions more as the simple Martini remains as popular as ever.

Ingredients:
60ml vodka/gin
20ml vermouth
Garnish: lemon/olive

Method: Shaken or stirred? Vodka or gin? Olive or lemon? We’ll leave it down to you, but you’ll need 60ml of vodka/gin, 20ml of dry vermouth, ice, and olives or lemon to finish. Top Tip: Make sure to pop your martini glass in the freezer/fill it with ice to chill it right down before you use it. Did you know you can put your vodka/gin in the freezer to cool it right down too?

4. CAIPIRINHA

Originally based on a remedy to cure Spanish flu (yep!), this national drink of Brazil has only 3 ingredients and highlights the distinct taste of cachaça, a spirit made from sugarcane. It’s totally refreshing and delicious.

Ingredients:
50ml cachaça
juice from 1/2 lime
1 tsp sugar

Method: Crush half a lime and mix with the sugar to dissolve it. Add the cachaça and ice and stir. That’s it – ridiculously straightforward!

3. PORNSTAR MARTINI

A modern-day classic, this sweet and sour cocktail has become the UK’s favourite. Its evocative name may have helped spread the word, but it’s the iconic taste that makes it one of the best.

Ingredients:
30ml vanilla vodka
15ml Passoa
2 tsp lime juice
seeds from 1 passion fruit
50ml prosecco

Method: There’s a tad more work to do for this cocktail but trust us, it’s worth it. Scoop the seeds from a passion fruit into your cocktail shaker and add the vanilla vodka (if you only have plain vodka, use a little vanilla syrup). Add a handful of ice, Passoa and the lime juice and shake well. Strain into a martini glass and add a passion fruit slice on top. But we’re not done there. A 50ml Prosecco shot is often served in accompaniment, so you can have two drinks in one cocktail!

2. MOJITO

Narrowly missing out on the top spot, but loved most in France, Italy and Portugal is the iconic Mojito. It’s rum, mint, and lime – the ultimate refresher.

Ingredients:
50ml white rum
juice of 1 lime
1 tsp sugar/ 15ml sugar syrup
a handful of mint leaves
soda water
Garnish: mint

Method: Crush a handful of mint leaves with the lime juice and sugar. Add ice and a white rum that you love. Top up with soda water to a level you enjoy, gently stir to combine, garnish with mint and sip away! Top Tip: When preparing a mojito always crush the mint leaves as opposed to dicing to unlock oils that will assist with enhancing the minty flavour.

1. MARGARITA

So, here it is. The world’s favourite cocktail at the moment– the Margarita. Easy to make, simple to adapt and perfect for any occasion. Salty, sweet, bitter, and sour, the Margarita triggers four of the five possible human tastes, so there’s actually some science behind its popularity too.

Ingredients:
50ml tequila
25ml fresh lime juice
20ml triple sec
a dash of syrup (optional)
Garnish: lime wheel, salt rim (optional)

Method: Shake the tequila, lime juice, triple sec and ice together until the shaker is cool to touch. You can add a dash of syrup also if you like it sweet. Strain the ingredients into a small glass and garnish with an appetising lime wheel and a salt rim if you fancy. Sit back and enjoy cocktail royalty. 

The methods above will guide you in the right direction but as with any cocktail, experiment. Add stuff in, take stuff out, change the ratios, shake it, stir it, do whatever you can think of (pretty much), and create your ultimate cocktail.

To learn more about the Margarita and all the variations you could make at home, take a look at our guide here: The Best Margarita Variations. And if you want to explore some lesser-known but still delightful cocktails, then why not have a flick through our, ‘One Drink, Three Ways’ feature? We take some of our favourite drinks and give you three great cocktail options for each. Who knows, maybe one will top this list one day.