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Patriotic 4th of July Cosmopolitan – Red White and Blue Cosmo Cocktail

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This patriotic 4th of July Cosmopolitan gives the classic vodka cocktail a festive holiday twist with an easy red, white, and blue sugar rim.

The colorful garnish turns a traditional Cosmo into a party-worthy drink for Independence Day celebrations, Memorial Day cookouts, and summer entertaining.

This patriotic cosmopolitan has the elegant presentation people love in martini-style cocktails.

Follow the step-by-step photos to decorate the glass, then mix a single cocktail or make a batch of Star Spangled Cosmos for a crowd.

4th of July Cosmo Cocktail in martini glasses with patriotic rims.

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Ingredients for the 4th of July Cosmopolitan

To make this festive Fourth of July drink, you’ll need the following ingredients:

  • 2 ounces of vodka
  • ½ ounce of Triple Sec
  • ¾ ounce of cranberry juice
  • ½ ounce of fresh lime juice
  • Ice
  • 4 fresh blueberries
  • 2 Maraschino cherries

You’ll also need a cocktail shaker, martini glasses, and red, white, and blue sanding sugar to do the glass rim.

4th of July Cosmopolitans with fruit garnish and patriotic glass rims.

Making this 4th of July Cosmopolitan

The Cosmopolitan cocktail is a sophisticated-looking drink that is all dressed up for a 4th of July party!  It’s really simple to make, too.

Wilton Sanding sugar in a bowl to use for a patriotic glass rim.

How to coat the rim with patriotic colors

  • Chill your martini glasses
  • Combine the sanding sugar crystals in a medium-sized bowl
  • Mix them well

Red white and blue glass rim with a pink cosmo.

  • Wet the rim of a cocktail glass with a lime wheel
  • Dip the glass in the sanding sugar.

Isn’t the rim pretty? It has a very romantic look to it that is subtly patriotic.

How to make the Cosmopolitan cocktail

Some recipes use Citron Vodka, but mine uses straight vodka. The extra sweetness on the rim tempers the harshness of the vodka. 

Still, the drink is heavy on Vodka, so use a good quality vodka for the smoothest taste.

  • Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes
  • Add the vodka, Triple Sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice
  • Give the shaker a good shake for about 30 seconds until the drink is well chilled and the flavors have combined
  • Strain the cosmo mixture into the prepared martini glasses

Patriotic Cosmo sitting on a blue checked towel with star decoration.

ProTip:  I used unsweetened cranberry juice because I enjoy a sour cocktail. If you like your Cosmos a bit sweeter, you can substitute cranberry juice cocktail instead.

Garnish the Cosmo

  • Thread 2 blueberries and 1 Maraschino cherry on a cocktail skewer
  • Garnish the drink with the fruit

What type of cocktail is a Cosmopolitan?

A cosmopolitan is a classic vodka cocktail made with cranberry juice, citrus, and orange liqueur. The cranberry juice gives the drink its signature pink color without the addition of any food coloring.

This patriotic version features a festive red, white, and blue rim, transforming a classic Cosmopolitan into a fun July 4th cocktail. Despite the bright color, a cosmopolitan has a balanced citrus flavor rather than being overly sweet.

What type of cocktail is a Cosmopolitan?

A cosmopolitan is a classic vodka cocktail made with cranberry juice, citrus, and orange liqueur. The cranberry juice gives the drink its signature pink color without any added food coloring.

This patriotic version adds a festive red, white, and blue rim to turn a classic Cosmo into a fun July 4th cocktail. Despite the bright color, a cosmopolitan has a balanced citrus flavor rather than being overly sweet.

Make the star spangled Cosmo for a crowd

If you plan on having quite a few guests, this recipe is easy to make for a crowd.

To make the drink for 4 people or 8 people

  • Place a cup of vodka, ¼ cup of triple sec, ⅓ cup of cranberry juice, and 4 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice into a pitcher.
  • Stir well and refrigerate until ready to pour.
  • At serving time, coat the rims of 4 martini glasses
  • Pour in the Cosmo cocktail mixture and garnish.
  • Double step one for 8 guests! 

More 4th of July drink ideas

If you are planning a patriotic party, here are a couple of easy summer drinks that pair perfectly with this Cosmopolitan.

Two more Fourth of July drinks.

Cosmos for the 4th of July in front of some red and blue flowers.

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🍹 This Patriotic 4th of July Cosmopolitan is the ultimate summer showstopper! A classic cosmo gets a festive twist with a red, white & blue sugar rim that’s perfect for Independence Day parties. 🎆✨ Pretty, refreshing, and made… Share on X

Pin this 4th of July Cosmopolitan

Would you like a reminder of these tips for making a Cosmo for the Fourth of July? Pin this image to one of your cocktail boards on Pinterest so that you can easily find it later.

These 4th of July Cosmopolitans are all dressed up in Patriotic colors of red, white and blue

Admin note: This 4th of July Cosmopolitan recipe first appeared on the blog in May 2018. This post has been updated with new photos, a printable recipe card, and a slideshow video of more cocktails to enjoy.

Yield: 1 4th of July Cosmopolitan

Patriotic 4th of July Cosmopolitan

$th of July Cosmos for a patriotic party
5.0 Stars (2 Reviews)

This patriotic cosmopolitan is a festive vodka cocktail with a red, white, and blue sugar rim that is perfect for July 4th parties, Memorial Day gatherings, and summer entertaining.

Follow the step-by-step photos to decorate the glass and make a single cocktail or mix a batch for a crowd.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces of vodka
  • ½ ounce of Triple Sec
  • ¾ ounce of cranberry juice
  • ½ ounce of fresh lime juice
  • Ice
  • To Garnish:
  • 4 fresh blueberries
  • 2 Maraschino cherries
  • Red, white and blue sanding sugar

Instructions

  1. Chill the martini glasses.
  2. Combine the red, white, and blue sugar crystals on a plate.
  3. Use a slice of lime to coat the rim of a martini glass, then dip the rim of the glass in the crystals to create a patriotic-looking edge.
  4. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add the vodka, Triple Sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice.
  5. Shake the cocktail shaker for about 30 seconds until the drink is well chilled.
  6. Strain into the prepared martini glasses.
  7. Garnish with strawberries and blueberries on a small cocktail skewer.
  8. Enjoy

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 338Total Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gSodium: 9mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 1gSugar: 25gProtein: 1g

Nutritional information is approximate due to natural variation in ingredients and the cook-at-home nature of our meals.

Did you make this recipe?

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© Carol
Cuisine: 4th of July / Category: Cocktails and Drinks

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angie

Monday 25th of June 2018

These are adorable, Carol! I’m supposed to be going to sleep, but instead, I am reading your delectable Fourth of July recipes!

Carol

Monday 25th of June 2018

Glad you liked it. This was a fun cocktail to make. Carol

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small commission from the sale, but the price is the same for you. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

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