The Cosmopolitan is one of the most popular cocktails around, known for its sweet yet tart flavor profile. It’s made from vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and lime juice. While many bartenders are happy to mix up a Cosmo to order, some cocktail lovers want the convenience of a ready-made, premixed version they can pour at home. So, is there a premixed Cosmopolitan you can buy?
What is a Cosmopolitan?
The Cosmopolitan is a cocktail that rose to fame in the late 1980s and 1990s. It’s composed of:
- Vodka – The base spirit
- Triple sec – An orange liqueur that provides sweetness
- Cranberry juice – Adds tartness and color
- Fresh lime juice – Provides bright citrus notes
The key flavors are tart cranberry, sweet orange from the triple sec, and the zesty lime. The vodka provides the alcoholic strength but not much flavor.
A Cosmo is typically served in a martini glass with an orange twist garnish. It has a beautiful pink hue and is both fruity and tangy.
While vodka is the most common base, you can make Cosmos with other spirits like gin or even rum. The other components remain the same.
History of the Cosmopolitan
The Cosmo as we know it today likely originated in the 1980s in Miami. However, there are competing claims about who exactly invented the modern Cosmopolitan.
Some credit Cheryl Cook, a bartender in South Beach, with coming up with the recipe in 1985. Others say it was created by Toby Cecchini at a venue called The Odeon in New York City.
Wherever it was born, the Cosmo certainly came of age in the 1990s. Its popularity rose after being featured in TV shows like Sex and the City. It became known as a stylish, sophisticated cocktail usually enjoyed by female drinkers.
Today, the Cosmopolitan remains a bestselling classic enjoyed all over the world. Both men and women now drink Cosmos. You can find it on most cocktail bar menus.
Premixed Cosmopolitan Options
So let’s get back to the original question – can you buy a premixed Cosmopolitan? The short answer is yes! Here are some ready-to-pour Cosmo products on the market:
Cocktail Mixers
One easy way to make Cosmos at home is to use a premade cocktail mixer. These bottled mixes combine all the ingredients except the vodka. Popular brands include:
- Mr & Mrs T – Their “Sweet & Sassy” mix is made for Cosmos with cranberry juice, lime juice and triple sec.
- Rose’s – They offer a Cranberry Cosmo Mix with cranberry juice, lime and premium orange liqueur.
- Finest Call – Their Cranberry Cosmo Mix has cranberry juice concentrate along with natural flavors.
To make a Cosmo with these, simply pour 3 oz of the mixer and 1.5 oz vodka over ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake, then strain into a chilled glass.
The advantage of these mixes is you control the vodka strength. The disadvantage is they use juice concentrates rather than fresh ingredients.
Ready-to-Drink Cosmopolitans
If you want a Cosmo with no assembly required, look for a pre-bottled ready-to-drink (RTD) version. These have the vodka and other ingredients already combined:
- Cutwater – Their Cosmo RTD has a 9% alcohol content. It’s made with real cranberry juice and lime.
- New Amsterdam – Their vodka brand offers a 10% ABV Cosmopolitan with cranberry juice and orange and lime flavors.
- On the Rocks – This line has a Cosmo at 10% alcohol with triple sec, lime, cranberry juice and vodka.
To serve, simply pour into a martini glass over ice. Some brands also sell their RTD Cosmos in cans, so no glassware needed!
The upside to premixed Cosmos is convenience – just grab one from the fridge and pour. The alcohol content is usually a bit lower than mixing them yourself.
Cosmopolitan Cocktail Kits
For freshly mixed Cosmos at home, cocktail kits are a smart choice. These boxed sets provide the vodka along with real cranberry and lime juices:
- Grey Goose – Their Le Cosmopolitan kit has mini bottles of vodka, cranberry and lime juice.
- Absolut – Their Cosmo kit includes vodka, lime concentrate and cranberry juice.
- Ciroc – Their Cosmo set has Ciroc red berry vodka, lime and cranberry juice.
Just add ice and shake. The measured ingredients make mixing easy. But these kits don’t have triple sec, so the flavor profile may be a little different than a traditional Cosmo.
Bottled Cosmopolitan Cocktails
Some companies bottle and sell pre-batched Cosmos:
- Cocktail & Sons – They offer a Classic Cosmo, Just Peachy Cosmo and other flavored varieties.
- Mr Black – This Australian brand’s bottled Cosmopolitan uses coffee liqueur.
- Molinari – Their Premium Cosmo is made with Absolut vodka and natural juices.
- Hella – They sell a canned Cosmopolitan cocktail with 6% ABV.
Because these are pre-mixed, you’ll get a consistent Cosmo every time. But they often contain spirit alternatives like malt-based vodka rather than real distilled spirits.
Frozen Cosmopolitan Mixes
Want a slushy, frozen Cosmo instead of a martini-style drink? You can find frozen Cosmo mixes:
- Margaritaville – Their Frozen Cosmo Mix turns into a slushy when blended with ice.
- Minute Maid – Their Frozen Cosmo Mix just requires vodka and ice for blending.
- Bacardi – Their frozen Cosmo concentrate blends into a slush with vodka and ice.
These let you create a Cosmopolitan-flavored frozen drink at home. Add some vodka and blend it up for an indulgent, icy Cosmo.
Cosmopolitan Cocktail Pouches
Some companies sell single-serve Cosmo cocktails in portable, resealable pouches:
- Tipsy Squeeze – Their Cosmo pouch holds 6 oz of a premixed cocktail.
- Smashpack – They offer Cosmopolitan along with other cocktail flavors in 250ml pouches.
- Swiggies – Their single-serve Cosmo comes in a 200ml pouch with a screw cap.
These portable Cosmo drinks are shelf-stable until opened. The pouches are great for taking cocktails to parties, events, picnics, or the beach. Reseal and refrigerate after opening.
How to Choose a Premade Cosmo
With all these ready-to-pour Cosmo products, how do you choose? Here are a few tips:
- Check the ingredients – Cosmos made with natural juice and liqueurs taste best.
- Consider the alcohol content – If you like strong drinks, look for around 15% ABV.
- Factor in convenience – Do you want a full kit to mix yourself or premixed in a bottle?
- Think about portability – Pouches or cans are great for on-the-go sipping.
- Read reviews – See what other Cosmo drinkers say about the product.
Test out a few options to find your favorites. The right premixed Cosmopolitan can satisfy your craving for this versatile modern cocktail.
How to Make Your Own Cosmopolitan
While buying a premade Cosmo can be convenient, plenty of people still like to mix their own at home. Here is a simple recipe and method:
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz triple sec
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 3 oz cranberry juice
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Pour in all the ingredients.
- Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with an orange twist or cranberries.
Tips for best results:
- Use freshly squeezed lime juice for bright citrus flavor.
- Chill glasses beforehand for an icy cold drink.
- Garnish with a skewer of cranberries or an orange twist.
- Use a premium vodka like Grey Goose or Ketel One.
Feel free to tweak the recipe to your taste – add more sweetener if you like it sweeter, or an extra splash of vodka for a boozier Cosmo. Have fun experimenting with different flavor variations too.
Popular Cosmopolitan Cocktail Variations
Once you master the original, try these delicious Cosmo twists:
Cranberry Apple Cosmopolitan
Substitute apple juice or cider for half the cranberry juice. Adds a mellow fruitiness.
Rose Cosmopolitan
Use citrus vodka and rose syrup instead of plain vodka and triple sec. Pretty pink hue.
Blackberry Cosmopolitan
Muddle fresh blackberries with the lime juice for an antioxidant boost.
Pomegranate Cosmopolitan
Swap pomegranate juice for the cranberry for a tart, exotic flavor.
Lychee Cosmopolitan
Shake with lychee juice and vodka for tropical fruit notes.
So don’t just resign yourself to what’s on the store shelf – mix up an inspired Cosmo variation right at home. The options are endless!
Conclusion
In summary, there are plenty of premade Cosmopolitan options available if you want to skip mixing your own. Brands offer everything from premixed cocktail shakers to ready-to-drink Cosmo bottles and cans. Or try unique twists like frozen Cosmo slushies or portable single-serve pouches.
But for many, the joy of the Cosmo is combining fresh ingredients to create this modern classic. With the right vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and lime, you can easily mix restaurant-quality Cosmos in your own home bar. And you can experiment with fun flavor variations tailored to your taste.
So next time you get a craving, try a convenient premade Cosmo for instant gratification. Or channel your inner bartender and blend your own from scratch. Either way, this iconic cocktail is guaranteed to satisfy!