8 Cosmopolitan Cocktail Variations You Should Be Ordering

The Cosmopolitan has been a cocktail icon since the 1990s. Its association with New York City and the iconic television show "Sex and The City" has made it a classic American cocktail ever since, but this pink-hued drink is far from a one-trick pony. While most people stick to the traditional vodka, cranberry juice, lime, and orange liqueur (Cointreau or triple sec) combination, Cosmopolitan cocktail connoisseurs know that the cocktail's balanced foundation makes it great for creative variations. While the preparation method should always remain the same — all ingredients shaken with ice in a cocktail shaker and served in a chilled martini or coupe glass — this doesn't mean the recipe itself can't change.

As a former bartender, I used to constantly experiment by making new cocktails with innovative flavors. However, whenever I was in an inevitable creative dry spell, I always leaned toward my most reliable strategy to get myself out of a creative rut: return to the classics.

This formula is pretty effective with cocktails that have a foundation that you can easily build upon, like the Cosmopolitan. Its neutral base of vodka, alongside its tart flavor profile, makes it the perfect canvas to experiment with. You can swap the vodka for a different liquor or play around with different liqueurs, fruit juices, or simple syrups, while maintaining qualities that make the drink so satisfying. Whether you're experimenting with cocktails at home or want to request a drink that will impress your bartender, you should try one of these nine Cosmopolitan cocktail variations.

The White Cosmopolitan is a simple variation on the original Cosmopolitan recipe that substitutes white cranberry juice for red cranberry juice. Where the classic Cosmopolitan boasts its signature rose-pink hue, the White Cosmopolitan is opaque with a pale amber hue. This clean, minimalist appearance makes it a great option for upscale events such as weddings, engagement parties, birthdays, New Year's celebrations, or just any occasion where a more refined aesthetic is desired. Despite its opaque appearance, the White Cosmopolitan still has the delightful balance of sweet and tart flavors that made its predecessor so beloved.

The recipe follows the traditional Cosmopolitan template: plain or citrus-flavored vodka, orange liqueur, fresh lime juice, and white cranberry juice. All of the ingredients are shaken together with ice and served in a chilled martini or coupe glass. The white cranberry juice provides a subtler tartness and less fruity flavor than its red counterpart. Typically, bartenders will garnish the White Cosmopolitan with a slice of lime, an orange twist, or a cranberry dusted in sugar.

The Cherry Cosmopolitan is a delightful twist on the classic cocktail by incorporating cherry juice, creating a beautiful deep ruby red color, and rich fruit flavor. This variation has an excellent sweet and tart balance, with the cherry's natural sweetness complementing the tartness of the lime juice and vodka. A Cherry Cosmopolitan typically combines vodka with cherry juice or liqueur, cranberry juice, orange liqueur, lime juice, and simple syrup. The cherry flavor can be incorporated in a variety of different ways. You can add a drizzle of maraschino cherry juice for a sweeter taste, a splash of fresh cherry juice, or a bit of cherry liqueur such as Herring Cherry Liqueur or Luxardo Maraschino for a more refined twist. Some bartenders will muddle fresh cherries directly in the cocktail shaker for a deeper fruity flavor and more rustic presentation.

It's typically served in a chilled martini or coupe glass with a sugar rim. This Cosmopolitan variation has a beautiful, deep ruby color and a delightful cherry aroma. The drink is typically garnished with fresh or sugar-coated cherries, either floating or on a toothpick, alongside a slice of lime for some contrast. This cocktail works wonderfully during the spring and summer months when cherries are in peak season. However, you can totally make it with frozen or preserved cherries anytime of the year.

Blood Orange Cosmopolitan elevates the classic cocktail with fresh blood orange juice, delivering a more complex citrus flavor that's both sweet and slightly bitter. This stunning Cosmopolitan variation showcases a gorgeous ruby-red hue of blood oranges, while the flavor of the blood orange adds a sophisticated depth that regular orange juice simply can't match.

The recipe follows the usual Cosmopolitan blueprint: vodka, lime juice, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, and, of course, blood orange juice. It's shaken with ice in a cocktail shaker and traditionally served in a chilled martini glass with a sugar-coated rim to complement its sweetness. Typically, bartenders will garnish it with a slice of blood orange, a twist of peel, or pay homage to its predecessor by adding a few cranberries floating on top.

It's a great cocktail to serve during the blood orange season from December to May, making it a popular drink to serve for winter weddings and holiday entertaining. The blood orange juice offers a refreshing brightness and subtle bitter kick that's perfect for warming the soul on those cold winter days.

The French Cosmopolitan puts an elegant spin on the classic cocktail by swapping out the traditional orange liqueur for Grand Marnier. For those of you who don't know, Grand Mariner is a French orange-flavored liqueur that's made by blending cognac and bitter orange essence. It's often enjoyed on its own or incorporated into cocktails, like in the French Cosmopolitan. The Grand Mariner has a lovely bitter orange flavor alongside the smooth oakiness of cognac that provides a lovely warmth in whatever cocktail it's added to.

A French Cosmopolitan is relatively simple to make, combining citrus-flavored vodka, lime juice, simple syrup, cranberry juice, grenadine, and most importantly, Grand Mariner. It's shaken with ice, served in a martini glass, and typically garnished with a maraschino cherry or orange twist. The sophisticated addition of the Grand Mariner transforms the drink entirely, adding a richer depth and slightly nutty complexity that you just can't obtain from a splash of Cointreau or triple sec. The grenadine (a pomegranate syrup) provides it with a subtle pomegranate flavor and deep ruby hue, while the citrus-flavored vodka cuts through the sweetness, creating a well-balanced Cosmopolitan. Next time you're dining your way through Paris or strolling the streets of Lyon, try something new and order a French Cosmopolitan, and discover how the French have elevated this American classic.

An Amaretto Cosmopolitan, sometimes referred to as the "Italian Cosmopolitan" or as a "Disaronno Cosmopolitan," is another delicious twist on the classic Cosmopolitan cocktail that swaps the orange liqueur and incorporates the sweet, almond-flavored Italian liqueur amaretto — specifically, Disaronno. The amaretto introduces a pleasant nutty, almond complexity to the drink's famously tart flavor profile.

The Amaretto Cosmopolitan typically combines vodka with amaretto liqueur (Disaronno), cranberry juice, and lime juice. Some bartenders like to add a splash of simple syrup to balance the amaretto's natural sweetness. However, if you prefer cocktails with a more bitter flavor, consider omitting the simple syrup entirely since the amaretto is already fairly sweet. Amaretto is traditionally made from apricot pits or almonds, adding a depth of nutty richness that completely transforms the drink's character. While you can use any brand of amaretto you've got in the liquor cabinet, Disaronno — one of the most recognizable amaretto brands — has a distinct flavor of marzipan, vanilla, and caramelized sugar that complements the cranberry's tartness beautifully. Next time you're looking to switch up your Cosmopolitan recipe, pick up a bottle of Disaronno and try making a delicious Amaretto Cosmopolitan. 

The London Cosmopolitan is a variation of the classic Cosmopolitan cocktail that replaces the vodka with a staple British liquor, gin. This British twist on the American classic maintains the signature pink color and tart-sweet flavor profile while introducing the botanical complexity of gin. The cocktail typically combines a top-quality British gin, such as Beefeater, Tanqueray, or Hendrick's, with cranberry juice, fresh lime juice, and orange liqueur.

The gin's botanical profile, with notes of uniper berries, coriander, ginger root, and citrus peels, creates a delightful blend of flavors mixed with the cranberry's tartness and lime's acidity. If you're a gin connoisseur, you'll know that each gin brand brings its character: Tanqueray offers juniper-forward notes, Beefeater has a more mild palate with notes of lemon peel, while Hendrick's contributes cucumber and floral essences for a more delicate profile. Depending on your gin preference, you should order it with a specific brand in mind. The London Cosmopolitan is the perfect cocktail to order if you want to taste the gin's complexity but want something a bit more approachable than a classic martini.

Looking for a more elevated and sophisticated version of the Cosmopolitan? Well, then you should be introduced to the Royal Cosmopolitan. This variation takes the classic to regal heights by incorporating a splash of sparkling wine such as champagne or prosecco. Similar to the champagne-based cocktail, the French 75, the Royal Cosmopolitan has a lovely effervescence, making it the perfect cocktail to serve at a wedding or any special occasion.

The cocktail begins by combining vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and orange liqueur. The ingredient proportions are slightly reduced to accommodate the sparkling wine addition. Everything is mixed together in a cocktail shaker with ice, poured into a chilled coupe or Champagne glass, then the champagne or prosecco is added as a float or gently stirred on top. The sparkling wine addition lights the drink and provides it with a bubbly textural element.

You can make the Royal Cosmopolitan with any sparkling wine — however, the most luxurious version is the French champagne, with its complex yeasty, slight nutty notes and fine bubbles adding sophisticated depth. Although it's absolutely divine with prosecco, offering a more approachable option with a fruity-forward sweetness, while Cava provides crisp and bright minerality. You can even use sparkling rosé if you want it to have a deep ruby hue and floral flavor.

The Pomegranate Cosmopolitan elevates the classic cocktail by replacing or combining cranberry juice with pomegranate juice, creating a deeper, more complex flavor profile with enhanced antioxidant benefits. This variation boasts a gorgeous deep ruby color and offers a perfect balance of sweet and tart notes. Similar to the original, the Pomegranate Cosmopolitan combines vodka, orange liqueur, lime juice, and pomegranate juice, which can be partially and fully replaced by cranberry juice depending on the desired flavor. It's served in a chilled martini glass with a sugar-coated rim and often garnished with fresh pomegranate pearls or a lime slice.

The pomegranate juice's flavor is a tad more intense than the cranberry juice, providing the cocktail with a sweet and slightly earthy taste. The lime juice and orange liqueur citrus flavor help cut through the sweetness of the drink, making a well-balanced cocktail that's perfect to enjoy as an aperitif or nightcap. The best time to whip up a Pomegranate Cosmopolitan is during the fruit's peak season from October through February. It would be a great cocktail to serve for Thanksgiving or on a snowy Christmas Eve dinner.