California Cosmopolitan co*cktail Recipe (2024)

A classic co*cktail with a serious twist, this California Cosmopolitan is an easy co*cktail option with a bright citrus flavor and a twinkling look.

Serve this at your summer party as a refreshing, sweet, and zesty co*cktail option or even as a holiday party to bring some brightness to the cold winter months.

If you’re looking for ideas on how to set up a party for the warmer months, how about hosting an outdoor luau or a Mexican fiesta.

If you’re looking for ideas for how to set up a party for the colder months, here are some elegant Christmas party themes.

Why You’re Going To Love This co*cktail

• Full of tasty and refreshing citrus flavors that will ring in the holidays with every sip.
• Lighter and healthier than Eggnog. As much as I love Eggnog, I need a fruit alternative to serve.
• Easy to whip up: this recipe can be made up in 5 minutes, guys.
• Make ahead of time: you can make this recipe earlier in the day and keep it in the fridge.

Ingredients and Supplies

• Pinnacle vodka. I love Pinnacle Vodka as my preferred vodka but go ahead and use whichever brand is your favorite.
• Triple sec. Works so beautifully with the citrus flavors.
• Orange juice. Go ahead and squeeze your own if you like or pick up your favorite store-bought OJ.
• Lemon juice. Balances like a dream with OJ.
• Sanding sugar. I love the look of this bright yellow sanding sugar.
• Martini glasses. You can, of course, use any other pretty co*cktail glass; this one is the classic choice.

How To Make This co*cktail

Here’s how to whip up this super simple recipe:

Step 1: Prepare the glasses

Dampen the rim of yourmartini glass with a wet paper towel. Dip the rim in sanding sugar to give them some sparkle and a touch ofsweetness.

I used yellow to complement the color of the co*cktail.

Step 2: Make the co*cktail

Combine vodka, triple sec, orange juice, and lemon juice in a pitcher. You can chill in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.

And for my final garnish, I cut a round slice of orange, removed the juicy orange part, then thinned out the peel with a paring knife. I held it in a tight twist for a few seconds, and let go. It made the prettiest garnish!

What I love about this drink is the sweetness from theTriple Sec and the acidicpunchfrom the orange and lemon juices.It’s a nicely balanced co*cktail with fun boldness.

Tips and Substitutions

• For the ultimate co*cktail, use freshly-juiced citrus.
• Garnish with a twist of lemon or orange or a combination of both.
• Adjust the sweetness with a splash of agave nectar or simple syrup if your juices are slightly sour.
• If you have stored your co*cktail in the fridge, shake it quickly before serving it.
• You can use some fresh limes if you don’t have lemons. Fresh lime juice takes a bit of time to squeeze but it’s delicious!

FAQs

Other co*cktails You Might Like

• Sea Breeze co*cktail
• Summer Citrus Sangria
• Summer Blueberry Mojito
• Cranberry Orange Martini
• Champagne Mojitos
• Mint Orange Bitters Mocktail Recipe

Let me know if you use this recipe at your co*cktail party. I’d love to hear what you think.