Crisp, pink, fresh and authentic.
Like us, at Mouse Kingdom Liqueurs
What should a Cosmopolitan Cocktail should look like?
A Cosmopolitan should look light, translucent, and “oh so pretty in pink”, a phrase famously used by one of the suggested creators Cheryl Cook, and reinforced by Absolut, to describe the soft blush color created by ensuring a balanced recipe and only using a splash of cranberry juice.
What should a Cosmopolitan taste like?
Zesty, fresh, deliciously boozy and well balanced. The pretty pink colour belies the adult content of the original recipes. Though it should be said, over time the cocktail evolved a great deal with many venues upping the cranberry and lowering the abv.
The traditional Cosmopolitan is essentially a bare bones vodka sour – with the only sugar in the recipe coming from the Liqueur. Which is why it’s essential to use a balanced citrus liqueur, like our handmade Quad sec.
How the Classic Recipes Compare
There isn’t one “official” Cosmopolitan, but a few specs are widely referenced:
| Vodka | Orange liqueur | Lime | Cranberry | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Difford’s Guide | 37.5ml (plain and citron) | 22.5ml | 15ml | 30ml |
| IBA official | 40ml citron | 15ml | 15ml | 30ml |
| Cecchini’s original (per Wikipedia) | 2 oz citron | 1 oz | 1 oz | ½ oz |
The Difford’s and IBA versions are close, with Difford’s using more liqueur. Cecchini’s original is much more spirit-forward, with far less cranberry. Difford’s also lists variations if you’d like to explore: Dale DeGroff’s recipe, Toby Cecchini’s recipe and the 1934 recipe.
Our recipe below follows the Difford’s Guide proportions, with Quad Sec in place of Cointreau.
Mouse Kingdom Cosmo:
Makes 1 | Glass: Martini, but you do you.
Ingredients
- 37.5ml vodka (or citron vodka)
- 22.5ml Mouse Kingdom Quad Sec
- 22.5ml cranberry juice
- 15ml freshly squeezed lime juice
- Orange zest twist, to garnish
Method
- Chill your glass.
- Add ingredients to a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake hard for 10 to 12 seconds, until you think you can’t shake any harder. Then shake more.
- Fine strain into your chosen glass
- Hold a twist of orange above your glass & twist.
Need a hint on how to twist? Follow this Orange zest guide.
Cosmopolitan FAQs
Who invented the Cosmopolitan? Nobody agrees, as usual with cocktail history. Cheryl Cook, Toby Cecchini and Melissa Huffsmith, and Dale DeGroff all feature in the story, and the name appeared in print much earlier, in the 1920s and 30s but with very different recipes, often using Gin.
What’s in a Cosmopolitan? Vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry juice and lime juice.
Is there an official Cosmopolitan recipe? The IBA publishes one (citron vodka, Cointreau, lime and cranberry), but many bartenders use their own proportions, including Difford’s Guide, which our recipe follows.
Can I use Quad Sec instead of Cointreau? Yes, in any recipe that calls for triple sec. It’s drier, so the drink comes out less sweet and more citrus-forward.
What’s the difference between triple sec and curaçao? They’re essentially the same family of orange-forward liqueurs. Every brand varies in ABV, sugar and ingredients, so each bottle tastes different.
How strong is Quad Sec? 40% ABV, in a 70cl bottle.
Make Yours with Mouse Kingdom
A great Cosmopolitan starts with a great orange liqueur. Mouse Kingdom Quad Sec is handmade in Manchester from rescued citrus, with less sugar and more estery bittersweet citrus character. Pick up a bottle, squeeze some fresh lime, and see how much difference it makes. For more recipes, head to our recipes and news page.
Please drink responsibly. 18+ only.
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