Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I’ve always loved a good cosmopolitan, but the bar-style versions can taste thin and overly sweet. When I started adding a homemade cranberry-orange syrup and fresh lime juice, it became a drink I make all season long. It’s tart, bright, and perfectly balanced, with a deep ruby color and a citrusy aroma from the orange peel. It takes about three minutes to shake up once the syrup is made, it scales easily into a pitcher for a crowd, and it looks elegant in a chilled coupe or martini glass. Simple, striking, and always a hit at holiday parties.

Ingredients

For the cranberry-orange syrup (makes about 1 cup)

1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup water
3 strips orange peel (pith removed)

For the cocktail (makes 1)

1 1/2 oz vodka (citron vodka works well)
1 oz orange liqueur (Cointreau or triple sec)
1 oz unsweetened cranberry juice
3/4 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz cranberry-orange syrup, adjusted to taste
Ice

For garnish

1 wide strip orange peel
3 fresh or sugared cranberries
Lime wheel (optional)

Directions

Make the syrup. In a small saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, water, and orange peel. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes until the berries burst. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing gently, and cool completely.
Chill the glass. Place a coupe or martini glass in the freezer for 10 minutes, or fill it with ice water while you mix.
Shake. Combine the vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, lime juice, and syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake hard for 15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is frosty.
Strain. Discard any ice water from the glass. Double-strain the cocktail through a fine-mesh sieve into the chilled glass.
Flame the peel. Hold the orange peel skin-side down about 3 inches above the drink. Hold a lit match between the peel and the drink, then squeeze so the oils spark over the surface. Rub the peel around the rim and drop it in.
Garnish. Add the cranberries and serve immediately.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 1 cocktail (see batch version below to serve a crowd)
Prep time: 5 minutes, plus 10 minutes for the syrup
Cook time: 10 minutes (syrup only)
Total time: About 30 minutes including syrup and cooling, or 3 minutes once the syrup is made

Batch version (serves 8): Combine 1 1/2 cups vodka, 1 cup orange liqueur, 1 cup cranberry juice, 3/4 cup lime juice, and 1/2 cup syrup in a pitcher. Chill for up to 4 hours. Shake individual portions over ice, or stir with ice and strain to serve.

Variations

Spiced: Add a cinnamon stick or a star anise pod to the syrup.
Sparkling: Top with 1 to 2 ounces of prosecco for a bubbly cosmo.
Spicy: Muddle a thin slice of jalapeño in the shaker.
Gin cosmo: Swap the vodka for gin for a botanical edge.
White cranberry: Use white cranberry juice for a pale, elegant version.
Frozen: Blend all ingredients with 1 1/2 cups of ice and pour into glasses.
Mocktail: Skip the vodka and orange liqueur, and use 2 oz cranberry juice, 1 oz orange juice, 1/2 oz lime juice, and 1/2 oz syrup, topped with sparkling water.
Lighter: Use 1 oz vodka and top with soda water.

Storage and Reheating

Cocktail: Best served immediately, while it’s icy cold.
Syrup: Store in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Batched mix: Without ice, refrigerate in a sealed bottle for up to 2 days.
Garnishes: Cut orange peels a few hours ahead and cover them so they stay fresh.
Reheating: Not applicable. This is served cold.

FAQs

What’s the difference between Cointreau and triple sec?
Cointreau is a more concentrated, balanced orange liqueur, while generic triple sec tends to be sweeter. Either works, but you may want to reduce the syrup if using triple sec.

Why double-strain?
It catches the tiny ice shards and fruit bits for a silkier, clearer drink.

Can I use cranberry juice cocktail?
Yes, but it’s sweeter. Reduce or skip the syrup and add a touch more lime juice to balance.

Is the flamed peel necessary?
No. A simple expressed peel adds fragrance, and the flame just adds a toasty, caramelized note.

Do I need a cocktail shaker?
A mason jar with a tight lid works fine. Shake it hard, then strain through a small sieve.

Can I make it ahead for a party?
Yes. Mix the batch up to 4 hours ahead and chill. Shake over ice just before serving for the best texture and chill.

How strong is it?
Each cocktail has about 2 1/2 ounces of spirits, roughly two standard drinks. Sip slowly, and offer the mocktail version to guests who aren’t drinking.

Conclusion

This cranberry-orange cosmo is my favorite way to dress up a holiday cocktail hour. It’s tart, citrusy, and beautifully pink, with a little extra sparkle from the flamed orange peel. I hope it becomes a regular at your gatherings, too. If you make it, I’d love to hear how you garnished yours!

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This Cranberry-Orange Cosmo is a bright, elegant twist on the classic Cosmopolitan, shaken with vodka, orange liqueur, fresh orange juice, tart cranberry juice, and a squeeze of lime. It’s crisp, citrusy, and a beautiful ruby-pink, finished with a flamed orange twist. It’s an easy party cocktail that feels festive from the first sip.

Author: Laura
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 cocktail
Category: Drinks
Method: Shaking
Cuisine: American

Instructions

Chill the glass: Place a martini or coupe glass in the freezer for 10 minutes, or fill it with ice water while you mix.
Combine: Add the vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, orange juice, lime juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake: Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until the outside of the shaker is frosty.
Strain: Strain into the chilled glass, using a fine-mesh strainer for a smooth pour.
Garnish: Express the orange peel over the drink by squeezing it skin-side down to release the oils, then rub it around the rim. Drop it in and add the cranberries on a pick.
Serve: Serve immediately.

Notes

Use unsweetened cranberry juice for a tart, balanced cocktail. Cranberry juice cocktail gives a sweeter version, so skip the simple syrup.
Fresh-squeezed citrus makes a big difference over bottled juice.
Batch for a party: combine 1 1/2 cups vodka, 1 cup orange liqueur, 1 1/2 cups cranberry juice, 1/2 cup orange juice, and 1/2 cup lime juice. Chill up to 8 hours and shake each serving with ice.
For a mocktail, replace the vodka and liqueur with 2 oz orange juice and 1 oz sparkling water.
To make sugared cranberries, toss fresh cranberries in simple syrup, then roll in granulated sugar and let dry for 1 hour.
Please drink responsibly.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cocktail
Calories: 210
Sugar: 12 g
Sodium: 3 mg
Fat: 0 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 15 g
Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg