Recipe

Wholesome Cosmopolitan Recipe

A rustic, homestyle Cosmo with real cranberry, fresh citrus, and a naturally sweet twist that still tastes like the classic.

By Matt Campbell

•

4.8

A rustic cosmopolitan cocktail in a coupe glass with an orange twist, set on a wooden kitchen counter with a small bowl of cranberries in the background

Jump to Recipe

If a classic Cosmopolitan is the little black dress of cocktails, this one is your favorite worn-in sweater that somehow still looks great. Same vibe, less fuss. We keep the bright cranberry and citrus snap you want, then trade the super-sweet, neon-red stuff for real cranberry, fresh lime, and a gentle sweetener that tastes like it belongs in an actual kitchen.

This is a Wholesome Cosmopolitan, aka a Cosmo you can make on a weeknight without feeling like you need a bar cart and a playlist called “City Nights.” It is tart, lightly sweet, and a little rustic in the best way. You will taste the fruit. You will taste the citrus oils. And yes, it still does that Cosmo thing where you take a sip and immediately want another.

Fresh limes, an orange, and a small jar of homemade cranberry syrup on a cutting board in a home kitchen

Why It Works

Bright, balanced flavor: Real cranberry brings tartness and depth, while fresh lime keeps it snappy.
Rustic but still classy: A quick homemade cranberry syrup gives you that signature color and sheen without artificial sweetness.
Accessible ingredients: Vodka, citrus, cranberries, and a pantry sweetener. No hard-to-find liqueurs required, but you can add them if you want.
Flexible sweetness: Start tart, then sweeten to your taste. This drink forgives you.

Pairs Well With

Storage Tips

Cosmos are best shaken fresh, but you can absolutely prep the homemade cranberry syrup and even batch the cocktail base.

Homemade cranberry syrup

Cool completely, then store in a sealed jar in the fridge for 7 to 10 days.
Use a clean spoon, keep it refrigerated, and discard if it turns cloudy or smells “off.”
If it thickens, stir in a teaspoon of warm water to loosen it.

Batched cocktail base (no ice)

Combine vodka, lime juice, orange juice, and syrup in a jar.
Refrigerate for up to 24 hours for the freshest citrus flavor.
When ready, shake with ice and strain. Do not pre-dilute with melted ice unless you are intentionally batching for a party.
Separation is normal. Just shake or stir before serving.

Common Questions

Is this still a Cosmopolitan if it does not use triple sec?

Purists will say the classic uses an orange liqueur. Fair. This version goes homestyle by using fresh orange juice plus orange zest for that citrus perfume. If you want the traditional edge, add 1/2 oz Cointreau or triple sec per cocktail (so 1 oz total for this 2-drink recipe) and reduce the cranberry syrup a touch.

What can I use instead of cranberry juice cocktail?

That is the whole point here. We use cranberry syrup made from cranberries and water, then sweeten it yourself. You get better flavor and you control the sugar.

Can I make it lower sugar?

Yes. Start with less syrup and shake. Taste. Add a splash more if needed. You can also use honey or maple syrup instead of sugar in the syrup for a softer sweetness. Just know they change the flavor a bit, and can make the syrup slightly thicker.

What is the best glass for a Cosmo?

A coupe or martini glass. If your kitchen is more “mismatched glasses” than “barware,” a small wine glass works too. Chill the glass if you can.

How do I make it non-alcoholic?

Shake 2 oz chilled cranberry syrup (thinned with water to taste), 1 oz fresh lime, and 1 oz fresh orange with ice. Strain and top with a splash of soda water for lift.

Matt Campbell

I have always had a huge passion for the culinary arts, people, working as a team, and so on. I wanted to pursue my love for cooking initially at Virginia Commonwealth University with a culinary arts degree; however, I instead decided to apply myself and acquire more practical skills. My end goal is to eventually open my own restaurant or similar establishment.

Kitchen Essentials

Cocktail shaker (or a mason jar with a tight lid)
Fine mesh strainer
Small saucepan (for the cranberry syrup)
Citrus juicer
Jigger or measuring cups/spoons
Coupe or martini glasses

I love a classic Cosmo, but I do not love buying a bottle of cranberry cocktail that tastes like it has never met an actual cranberry. This version started on a cold night when I had a half bag of cranberries in the freezer and that stubborn “I wonder if…” energy. Ten minutes later I had a ruby-red syrup that smelled like real fruit, and suddenly the Cosmo felt less like a “going out” drink and more like something you can make while your pasta water comes to a boil. Rustic, bright, and honestly a little smug in the best way.

Wholesome Cosmopolitan Recipe

(4.8 Reviews)

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 10 mins

Total Time 20 mins

Servings 2 cocktails

Ingredients

Cranberry Syrup (makes about 1 1/4 cups, enough for 10 to 12 cocktails)

1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
1 cup water
1/2 cup granulated sugar, honey, or maple syrup (adjust to taste)
1 wide strip orange zest (optional but highly recommended)
Pinch of kosher salt

Wholesome Cosmopolitan (2 cocktails)

4 oz vodka
2 oz fresh lime juice
1 1/2 oz fresh orange juice
1 1/2 to 2 oz cranberry syrup (start with 1 1/2 oz for a tarter drink)
Ice
2 orange twists or 2 lime wheels, for garnish
Optional: 1 oz Cointreau or triple sec (adds classic orange liqueur flavor)

Instructions

Make the cranberry syrup

In a small saucepan, combine the cranberries, water, sweetener, orange zest (if using), and a pinch of salt.
Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the liquid turns deep ruby.
Turn off the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes to steep.
Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a jar, pressing gently on the berries (no need to mash them into submission, that is where bitterness can show up). Cool to room temp, then refrigerate until cold.

A small saucepan of simmering cranberries as they burst and turn the liquid deep red

Shake the Cosmopolitan

Chill your glasses if you have time. Even 5 minutes in the freezer helps.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, lime juice, orange juice, and cranberry syrup. If using Cointreau or triple sec, add it now.
Shake hard for 12 to 15 seconds. You want it ice-cold and slightly frothy.
Fine strain into 2 chilled coupe or martini glasses.
Express an orange twist over each glass (pinch and twist it to spray the oils), then drop it in or rest it on the rim.

Matt’s tiny trick for balance

Before you pour, dip a straw in the shaker and taste. If it is too tart, add 1/4 oz more syrup. If it is too sweet, add a squeeze of lime and shake again. This is your drink. Make it act right.

Quick note: “Wholesome” here does not mean “healthy.” It just means more real fruit and less neon.

Nutrition information is estimated.

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