Riffs & variations
Riffs & variations

Riffs & variations on the classic Cosmopolitan cocktail

Christmas Cosmopolitan image

Christmas Cosmopolitan

A brandy-based Cosmo with a hint of mellow warming Christmasy spice.
Pomegranate Cosmopolitan image

Pomegranate Cosmopolitan

Made with freshly squeezed pomegranate juice, this riff on a classic Cosmopolitan is both flavoursome and striking in colour.
Honey Cosmopolitan image

Honey Cosmopolitan

Honey adds delicate flavour and richness to this grapefruit fresh riff on a classic Cosmopolitan.
Rude Ginger Cosmopolitan image

Rude Ginger Cosmopolitan

To quote Halo's cocktail list, the bar where we discovered this drink, Looks like a cosmo, goes like a Mexican!
Grand Cosmopolitan image

Grand Cosmopolitan

The rich flavours of the orange liqueur shine through in what is indeed a grand Cosmopolitan.
Ginger Cosmo image

Ginger Cosmo

Just what it says on the tin - your everyday Cosmopolitan but with extra vitality courtesy of a good whack of ginger spice.
Watermelon Cosmopolitan image

Watermelon Cosmopolitan

It looks a tad pinkier than a standard Cosmo and tastes just as the name suggests.
Raspberry Cosmopolitan image

Raspberry Cosmopolitan

Your classic Cosmo but with raspberry liqueur replacing orange liqueur.
Royal Cosmopolitan image

Royal Cosmopolitan

The classic Cosmopolitan with a layer of fizz on top adding a biscuity complexity. Sex And The City meets Ab Fab.
Purple Cosmo image

Purple Cosmo

If shaken this becomes more of a grey cosmo. The flavour and colour make for an interesting twist.
Kirsch Cosmo image

Kirsch Cosmo

As the name suggests this is a riff on the classic Cosmopolitan using kirsch eau-de-vie in place of vodka.
Rude Cosmopolitan image

Rude Cosmopolitan

Don't let the pink appearance of this Cosmopolitan (made with tequila in place of vodka) fool you into thinking it's a fluffy cocktail. It's both serious
Strawberry Cosmo image

Strawberry Cosmo

Strawberry liqueur replaces the usual orange liqueur in this riff on a classic Cosmopolitan.
Not so Cosmo image

Not so Cosmo

This non-alcoholic cocktail may look like a Cosmo but sadly, it doesn't taste like one. Cosmopolitan cocktail history
Neal's Barbados Cosmopolitan image

Neal's Barbados Cosmopolitan

Your standard Cosmopolitan made more compelling by a slug of warming Caribbean spirit.
London Cosmopolitan image

London Cosmopolitan

A Cosmopolitan but made with London dry gin in place of vodka.
Limey Cosmo image

Limey Cosmo

As the name suggests, a more lime-forward flavoured Cosmopolitan while remaining balanced rather than overly sour.
Cosmogroni image

Cosmogroni

One for lovers of bittersweet flavours.
Dixie Cosmopolitan image

Dixie Cosmopolitan

Slightly sweet and somewhat reminiscent of jellybean sweets.
Cosmopolitan (no added sugar* & low-calorie) image

Cosmopolitan (no added sugar* & low-calorie)

* BEWARE: Although free of cane sugar and beet sugar, this cocktail contains small amounts of fructose sugars from the agave nectar used in the Agave
Cosmarita image

Cosmarita

Either a cross between a Cosmopolitan and a Margarita or an extremely Rude Cosmopolitan.
Brazilian Cosmopolitan image

Brazilian Cosmopolitan

The distinctive character of cachaça bursts through the fruit in this twist on the contemporary classic.
Lago Cosmo image

Lago Cosmo

A Cosmo with cranberry vodka in place of citrus vodka and orange juice in place of cranberry juice.
Lemongrass Cosmo image

Lemongrass Cosmo

Lemongrass adds complexity to this balanced Cosmo.
Ice White Cosmo image

Ice White Cosmo

Recognisably from the Cosmo family but wonderfully different.
White Cosmo image

White Cosmo

Just what it says on the tin.
Hawaiian Cosmopolitan image

Hawaiian Cosmopolitan

Fresh, tangy and distinctly tropical.
Elderflower Cosmo image

Elderflower Cosmo

Despite the absence of citrus vodka, orange liqueur and cranberry, this delicate blend is still Cosmopolitan-esque in style.
Creole Cosmo image

Creole Cosmo

Dry tangy and perhaps more sophisticated than a classic Cosmo.
Chinese Cosmopolitan image

Chinese Cosmopolitan

Oriental in name and style - perhaps a tad sweeter than your standard Cosmo.
Blue Cosmo image

Blue Cosmo

This blue rinsed drink may have sales appeal but sadly is not quite as good as a traditional red Cosmo.
Apricot Cosmo image

Apricot Cosmo

The apricot preserve adds a flavoursome tang to the contemporary classic.
Grande Champagne Cosmo image

Grande Champagne Cosmo

'Grande Champagne' refers to the top cru of the Cognac region: this brandy-based cocktail is suitably elite.
Metropolitan (1993) image

Metropolitan (1993)

A Cosmopolitan with more than a hint of berry fruit.
Rhum Cosmo image

Rhum Cosmo

Just as it says on the tin, an agricole rhum-based Cosmopolitan.
Difford's Cosmopolitan recipe image

Difford's Cosmopolitan recipe

The Cosmopolitan was originally made with citrus vodka, but it's great with unflavoured vodka or a combination of the two vodkas - my preference. For this
Dale DeGroff's Cosmopolitan recipe image

Dale DeGroff's Cosmopolitan recipe

This is the definitive Cosmo recipe from the man most associated with the drink's development and popularity.
Toby Cecchini's Cosmopolitan recipe image

Toby Cecchini's Cosmopolitan recipe

This 2:1:1:1 original Cosmopolitan is on the tart side of balanced with the citrus-flavoured vodka shining over the other ingredients. Indeed, Toby describes
Welcome to Difford's Guide

All editorial and photography on this website is copyright protected

© Odd Firm of Sin 2025