The Cocktail Chronicles: Cosmopolitan

A classic cocktail, the Cosmopolitan, makes a delicious beverage for any holiday get together, especially Galentine’s, Valentine’s Day, or a girls’ night out. Similar in flavor to a Sea Breeze, this liqueur drink combines bitter and sweet beautifully. Made with vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice and lime juice, this strong drink sips easy for any celebration or get-together.

Angled close up of two drinks in cocktail glasses

This post contains affiliate links. If you were to make a purchase through one, I would receive a small commission. For more information about the affiliate programs The Speckled Palate participates in, please refer to my disclosure page.

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day… and in celebration, I made you a pink drink with a cute raspberry heart-shaped ice cube floating in it. It’s pretty. Just like you.

Valentine’s Day is one of those days that you either love or hate. I feel like there’s no in between on people’s feelings for the February holiday… and that kind of makes me sad. While I wasn’t always the biggest Valentine’s lover — especially during those awkward high school and collegiate years where I didn’t have anybody special in my life — the day has certainly grown on me in my old age. (Ha!)

join our party!

get our latest recipes delivered to your inbox every week — plus all my entertaining tips and tricks!


    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

    I always like to do something nice for it, and we have started a tradition of making a lovely meal on the night of Valentine’s instead of hitting one of our favorite restaurants. We save that for the weekend after. Which is why I’ll be making Blackened Sockeye Salmon with Spinach Madeline, Beer Bread and probably a Chocolate Souffle (because Valentine’s isn’t Valentine’s without a souffle!) tomorrow.

    Sadly, I will not be making this drink to accompany our dinner.

    Other Cocktail Chronicles drink recipes: Southern Champagne / Bloody Mary / Mustique / Kingston / Rum Sidecar / Tom Collins / Cutty Sark on the Rocks / Blizzard Bourbon Cranberry Cocktail

    The Cocktail Chronicles: Cosmopolitan // The Speckled Palate

    Info GraphicThis cocktail was a little alcohol-heavy to me (Erin), taste-wise. It was delicious, but I can see how you could get yourself into some major trouble drinking multiple ones of these during the night. I’m sure Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte would be disappointed in me. … And Winston’s thoughts were simple. He wrote, “Girls, girls, girls” in our book. ‘Nuff said.

    Info GraphicThree cheers! Pretty good for a one-time drink, but don’t expect to see us sipping one of these throughout the evening.

    Two beverages in cocktail glasses on heart decorated linens

    Essential Tools to Make a Cosmopolitan

    Other Awesome Valentine’s Drinks

    Interested in mixing up a classic Cosmopolitan?

    The recipe is just below…

    Two pink Cosmopolitan cocktails in red striped martini glasses garnished with heart ice cubes sit on a wooden surface

    Cosmopolitan

    Erin Parker, The Speckled Palate
    A classic cocktail, the Cosmopolitan, makes a delicious beverage for any holiday get together, especially Galentine's, Valentine's Day, or a girls' night out. Similar in flavor to a Sea Breeze, this liqueur drink combines bitter and sweet beautifully. Made with vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice and lime juice, this strong drink sips easy for any celebration or get-together.
    5 from 1 vote
    Servings 1 drink
    Calories 143 kcal
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 oz. vodka
    • ¾ oz. orange liqueur
    • ¾ oz. cranberry juice unsweetened
    • ¼ oz. lime juice

    As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Instructions
     

    • Measure out all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker.
    • Add ice, then shake vigorously until chilled.
    • Strain into a large cocktail glass.
    • Garnish with a twist of orange or a heart-shaped ice cube, then enjoy immediately.

    Notes

    Adapted from Stuart Walton's The Ultimate Book of Cocktails.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 drinkCalories: 143kcalCarbohydrates: 9gSodium: 1mgSugar: 8g
    Keyword cocktail, cocktail recipe, cocktails, drink recipe, easy cocktail, easy drink recipe, summer cocktail, summer cocktail recipe, summer drink, summer drink recipe, summer drinks, vodka, vodka drink
    Course Cocktails
    Cuisine American
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

     Have you ever made this recipe? Leave us a comment and star rating below to let us know what you thought!

    A woman with dark curly hair wearing a black tank top in front of a white wall

    About the Author:

    Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her

    Similar Posts

    Before leaving a comment or rating, ask yourself:

    • Did you make the recipe as directed? If you didn’t or made an ingredient swap, please do not leave a rating. Recipe results are not guaranteed when changes have been made.
    • Is your comment helpful to others? Rude or hateful comments will not be approved. Please remember that this website is run by a real person.
    • Are you complaining about ads? I develop these recipes and provide them to you for free. Advertising allows me to continue to do so at not cost to you. It is also unavoidable on the internet and in everyday life. If you want recipes without ads, please purchase a cookbook or borrow one from your local library.

    8 Comments

    1. Valentine’s dinner at home is an absolute necessity, even if it’s frozen pizza or leftovers (which is likely enough…). Battling the crowds of daters is not my cup of tea. But delightful cocktails like this certainly are! 🙂

      1. I’m glad you’re with us on this, Eileen. I’m not a fan of the crowds of daters, either, and somehow, making our own Valentine’s dinner seems even more fun for the two of us to do since we both love to be in the kitchen. And agreed on delightful cocktails. I’ve gotta figure out what drink I am serving tomorrow with our meal!

    2. My boyfriend and I always go to a special Indian buffet for Valentines day. The place is never busy and the food is amaaaazing. Before finding this place, I never wanted to go out because it was so busy (and so expensive!) everywhere.

      Your cosmo pictures are SO FREAKING CUTE! I’m far too lazy to ever put the amount of love into my pictures you do with those fancy little heart ice cubes! Adorably worth it

      1. I love that y’all have a Valentine’s tradition at an Indian buffet! How fun! And how wonderful it is that not only is it never busy, but the food is delish. 🙂 How was it this year?

        And thank you. 🙂 I love the photography part of this, as I am a photographer (albiet a photojournalist and not a food one), and the heart ice cubes were a fun little addition to the cocktail. I just wish I had liked drinking it more!

      1. I love that you love a good Cosmo! Do you have a recipe for yours? And ditto on a chocolate martini. You certainly cannot go wrong with one of those!

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating