Pomegranate Cosmopolitan Cocktail
A smooth, sippable Pomegranate Cosmopolitan Cocktail is a twist on the now classic cocktail and a delicious signature cocktail for the holidays. Their vibrant red color paired with a green lime twist will dazzle your guests, making you the host or hostess with the mostess! Made famous by Sex in the City in the late 1990s, the Cosmo has stood the test of time.
This Cosmopolitan Recipe has the classic ingredients of vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, and lime juice, plus the addition of pomegranate juice. Perfect for a girls’ night out or any holiday entertaining!
Why You Must Make
- When entertaining, it’s nice to have a signature cocktail that varies with the season or event.
- When pomegranates start appearing in the market, a holiday cocktail with pomegranate juice seems apropos.
- With cocktail recipes, the proportion of ingredients is key to its success. The perfect balance of sweet, sour, and bitter is vital. So I took Ina Garten’s cosmopolitan recipe and gave it a wee twist. Ina doesn’t disappoint.
Ingredient Notes
- Vodka or Citron Vodka – Good quality vodka is required
- Orange liqueur – Cointreau standard but Grand Marnier is my preference
- Cranberry Juice Cocktail – I use Ocean Spray, pure cranberry juice is too tart
- Pomegranate Juice – I use Pom Wonderful
- Fresh lime juice, plus lime slices or twists – To add a touch of acidity for balance and to garnish
A Christmas or New Year’s Cocktail
Although not the traditional girly pink Cosmo, I love the rich hue from the addition of pomegranate juice. If the pomegranates were not so sad in the markets, I would have added some ruby red pomegranate arils to this cosmopolitan recipe, too. Besides the usual cranberry juice, a deep red pomegranate juice added a magical holiday look to this cocktail, making it perfect for sipping on Christmas night or New Year’s Eve! Plus the green twist of lime rind completes the classic green and red color combo for the holidays!
Frequently Asked Questions
There were cocktails similar to the Cosmo, like the Daisy, but the official invention of the Cosmopolitan Cocktail was in 1987. First mixed by bartender Toby Cecchini at the Odeon in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood, it was the TV show Sex in the City that made the cosmopolitan famous.
The classic Cosmopolitan is made with vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice, and fresh lime juice. Many recipes call for Citron vodka, to double up on the citrus undertones. My version has the addition of pomegranate juice for an autumnal flair.
Cointreau is one of many popular orange liqueurs including Grand Marnier and Triple Sec. It was used in the original Cosmo recipe.
Though a cosmo is not a martini (the latter officially made of gin or vodka, vermouth, and an olive or lemon twist), it’s still served in a martini glass. A cosmopolitan should be ice cold, so often it’s served with crushed ice. Other purists disagree and demand a true cosmo be without ice!
I’ve tried many methods but found it was easiest to make lime twists by hand instead of using a tool. First, peel the lime like you would an orange. Cut the peel into a few large pieces, aiming to have the ability to slice some long strips. Slice the sections into narrow strips, then carefully remove some of the pith or white lining of the peel. This will make the strips easier to curl. Next, roll up the strips into tight coils. When released, the coils will make nice lime twists.
So if you’re entertaining this fall and winter, this pomegranate cosmopolitan cocktail is a must for your party! They are potent, so serve responsively along with plenty of delicious appetizers and snack recipes!
You May Also Like
So if you’re entertaining this fall and winter, this pomegranate cosmopolitan cocktail is a must for your party! They are potent, so serve responsively along with plenty of delicious appetizers and snack recipes!
- The Sugarplum Cocktail from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Beergaritas
- Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail
- Blood Orange Margaritas
- White Cosmopolitans
- French 75
- St. Germain Gin and Tonic
- Lillet French Aperitif
- More Classic Cocktail Recipes
Plus, Some Bar Snacks
- Crostini with Goat Cheese, Pomegranate, and Rosemary from Creative Culinary
- Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers with Sausage
- Muenster and Spinach Pinwheels
- Easy Smoked Salmon Dip
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Pomegranate Cosmopolitan Cocktail Recipe
A twist on the classic Cosmos with the addition of pomegranate juice.
Ingredients
- 1 cup good quality vodka
- ½ cup orange liqueur, I used Grand Marnier, but Cointreau is the standard
- ½ cup cranberry juice cocktail
- ¼ cup pomegranate juice, I used Pom Wonderful
- ½ cup fresh lime juice
- Sliced limes or lime twists to garnish
Instructions
- In a pitcher, mix together all ingredients except garnishes.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add the cocktail mixture, and shake until the cocktail is well chilled, about 30 seconds.
- Pour into glasses and garnish with a lime slice or twist.
Notes
Helpful tools (affiliate links):
Very slightly adapted from Ina Garten.
Fresh lime juice makes a tastier cocktail than bottled.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1 glassAmount Per Serving: Calories: 292Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 4mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 1gSugar: 17gProtein: 0g
22 Comments on “Pomegranate Cosmopolitan Cocktail”
This is such an amazing drink for the holidays!! Thanks for the recipe!
This is very festive and I agree with you about the pomegranates in the markets. Sad indeed.
First of all, what gorgeous photos! This drink sounds good and one that’s not too strong for me. I’m a bit of a weenie when it comes to cocktails. But I just stocked up on pomegranate juice for the holidays, and I’ll definitely be making this one! Thanks!
Such a gorgeous fall cocktail, Liz! I can’t wait to try this!
I love cosmos, and this one is perfect for the holidays! I’m adding it to my list of cocktails for parties!
I do love a good cocktail and this had always been a fave of mine. Can’t wait to try your version!
Cosmopolitans are one of my favorite cocktails! Such a perfect adaptation for the holiday season! We’ve got a couple of holiday get-togethers coming up and I want to serve some great cocktails. This will definitely be one of them!
I love cosmo and I too add pomegranate juice in it when I have it in the refrigerator…super delicious!
Have a great week ahead!
I love a good cocktail, but I don’t think I’ve ever had a cosmopolitan! I’m sure to love your version, though, because I love all things pomegranate, and it’s sure to elevate it. Gorgeous photos, and I’m looking forward to trying it!
I’m not a huge fan of vodka in cocktails (I prefer it icy cold all by itself, or even better with caviar!) and because it was so “trendy” never thought I’d like the Cosmo. Until I tried it a few years ago. Wow, it’s a good drink! And such gorgeous color. Really deserves a place on every cocktail menu. Yours looks great — thanks.
It’s been a long time since I’ve had a cosmo! Yours are gorgeous with those perfect twists!! Cheers!
I have never had a cosmopolitan cocktail. This sounds yummy! A great cocktail for the holidays.
This sounds so refreshing and festive. I may have to make it for all the holiday get togethers.
Ooh, love this twist on a classic Cosmo! I’m a sucker for anything pomegranate (including the whole fruit!) and this is so festive for the holidays!
Wow – I need to pin this one for Christmas. It’s so pretty and sounds so refreshing.
So much good information in this post and a great holiday (and year round) recipe. I’ll be making this again and again – maybe even as my Thanksgiving cocktail!
What fun this is for the holiday season! I would love it with the Grand Marnier. Delicious! And the green lime twist is the icing on the cake. 🙂 ~Valentina
I have always loved Cosmos and this is the perfect twist for the holiday season; what a beautiful color Liz!
Perfectly delicious little cocktail, for sure, Liz! I’ll have to try it over the holidays! And it’s my fave color! Gorgeous!
That gorgeous red color makes this cocktail the perfect fit for the holidays. Beautiful!
I’m suddenly so very thirsty 🙂 Looks like a winner for the holidays Liz – pinned!
Such a stunning cocktail! I totally love the colour, Liz. Happy Fall!