The Cosmopolitan is a popular vodka-based cocktail that has been a staple at bars and restaurants for decades. With ingredients like vodka, triple sec, lime juice, and cranberry juice, the tangy, citrusy drink is a favorite among many. But with mixed drinks, one of the biggest questions is often: how many calories are actually in that glass?
For health-conscious drinkers or those watching their calorie intake, the calorie content of cocktails can definitely be a concern. Some mixed drinks and speciality cocktails can pack hundreds of calories into a single glass. So is the classic Cosmopolitan one of those high-calorie options? Or can you enjoy this cocktail without too much calorie guilt?
In this article, we’ll take a thorough look at the calorie count of a standard Cosmopolitan. We’ll look at the calorie content of each ingredient, nutritional information for popular Cosmopolitan recipes, and how you can adjust the drink to reduce the calories. We’ll also provide some lower-calorie cocktail ideas for alternatives to the Cosmo.
Calorie content of Cosmopolitan ingredients
First, let’s break down the ingredients that go into a traditional Cosmopolitan cocktail:
Vodka
Most Cosmopolitan recipes call for 1 1⁄2 to 2 ounces of vodka. Vodka itself is considered a low-calorie liquor option, with around 96 calories per 1.5 ounce shot. So the vodka contributes about 100 calories to the total calorie count of a Cosmo.
Cointreau or triple sec
Cointreau and triple sec are both orange-flavored liqueurs used to give the Cosmopolitan its signature citrusy flavor. There are 60 calories in 1 ounce of Cointreau and around 110 calories in 1 ounce of triple sec. Most Cosmo recipes call for around 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 ounce of one of these orange liqueurs.
Fresh lime juice
The tart lime juice is essential for balancing the sweetness of the Cosmo. Fresh lime juice has around 20 calories per fluid ounce. A typical Cosmo recipe uses around 1 ounce of fresh lime juice.
Cranberry juice
Finally, the cranberry juice gives the Cosmopolitan its pretty pink hue. There are around 140 calories in 1 cup (8 ounces) of unsweetened cranberry juice. Most recipes call for 1 to 2 ounces of cranberry.
So based on these standard ingredients and amounts, a regular Cosmopolitan will have approximately:
| Ingredient | Calories |
| 1 1⁄2 ounces vodka | 100 |
| 3⁄4 ounce Cointreau | 45 |
| 1 ounce fresh lime juice | 20 |
| 1 ounce cranberry juice | 17 |
That brings a typical Cosmopolitan to around 182 calories.
Calories in popular Cosmopolitan recipes
Let’s look at the calorie counts for some popular recipes from top sites and bartending experts:
The Kitchn’s Cosmopolitan
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces vodka
- 3⁄4 ounce Cointreau
- 3⁄4 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 ounce cranberry juice
Total calories: Approximately 200
Martha Stewart’s Cosmopolitan
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces citrus vodka
- 1 ounce Cointreau
- 1⁄2 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1⁄4 cup cranberry juice cocktail
- Lime twist for garnish
Total calories: Approximately 235
Kitchen Konfidence Cosmopolitan
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1⁄2 ounce triple sec
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 1⁄2 ounces cranberry juice
- Lime wedge for garnish
Total calories: Approximately 185
So as you can see, most traditional Cosmopolitan recipes end up in the range of 180 to 235 calories per cocktail. That’s definitely on the lower end for mixed drinks. For comparison, a Pina Colada can have around 400-500 calories and a Long Island Iced Tea often clears 600 calories.
How to lighten up your Cosmo
If you’re really watching your calorie intake, there are a few easy ways to reduce the calorie count of a Cosmopolitan without sacrificing that signature flavor:
- Use calorie-free flavored vodka instead of regular vodka
- Substitute diet cranberry juice for regular cranberry juice
- Ask for less Cointreau or triple sec
- Use fresh lime juice and skip the simple syrup
- Opt for soda water instead of cranberry juice
- Request less cranberry juice or more club soda
- Garnish with lime instead of sugared rims
Making these simple swaps and adjustments can shrink the calorie count of your Cosmo down to the 130-150 calorie range.
Low-calorie Cosmopolitan alternatives
If you want something lighter than a traditional Cosmo, consider these low-calorie cocktails instead:
Skinny Cosmo
The Skinny Cosmo retains the classic flavor profile with some lower-calorie tweaks:
- 2 ounces citrus vodka (~100 calories)
- 1⁄2 ounce Cointreau (~30 calories)
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice (~10 calories)
- 3 ounces sparkling water
- Lime wedge garnish
Total calories: Around 140
Vodka Soda with Lime
This refreshingly fizzy cocktail packs a punch of flavor with just two main ingredients:
- 2 ounces vodka (~100 calories)
- 5-6 ounces soda water
- Squeeze of lime
- Lime wedge garnish
Total calories: Around 100
Paloma Cocktail
A light and tangy tequila cocktail made with fresh grapefruit juice:
- 2 ounces silver tequila (~105 calories)
- 1⁄2 ounce fresh lime juice (~5 calories)
- 1⁄2 cup fresh grapefruit juice (~60 calories)
- 1⁄4 ounce agave nectar (~20 calories)
- Grapefruit wedge garnish
Total calories: Around 190
Mojito
A minty, refreshing rum drink:
- 2 ounces white rum (~105 calories)
- 3⁄4 ounce fresh lime juice (~15 calories)
- 1⁄2 ounce simple syrup (~50 calories)
- 8-10 mint leaves
- 1 cup club soda
- Mint sprig garnish
Total calories: Around 170
Tom Collins
This sparkling gin cocktail is light on the calories:
- 2 ounces gin (~120 calories)
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice (~10 calories)
- 1⁄2 ounce simple syrup (~25 calories)
- 3 ounces club soda
- Lemon wheel garnish
Total calories: Around 155
Conclusion
So is a cosmopolitan a high calorie cocktail? Compared to many mixed drinks and specialty cocktails, the traditional Cosmopolitan is reasonably low in calories, generally ranging from 180-235 calories per serving. While not as low-cal as a vodka soda or light beer, the Cosmo has a reasonable calorie count for an indulgent cocktail.
There are also easy ways to tweak the classic recipe to lighten it up, by using low-calorie mixers and garnishes. For other fresh, flavorful options with less sugar and calories than a Cosmo, try skinny versions like the Skinny Cosmo, Paloma, Mojito, or Tom Collins.
While cocktails shouldn’t make up the bulk of your diet, you can absolutely enjoy a refreshing Cosmo or two without going overboard on calories. Just be mindful of portion sizes, ingredients, and how often you indulge. Cheers!
