Freezer Strawberry Cosmopolitans

The precise origins of the Cosmopolitan are debated, with one prominent account crediting Cheryl Cook in late 1980s Miami for seeking a sophisticated, visually appealing alternative to sweeter drinks. Her version featured Absolut Citron, Cointreau, cranberry, and fresh lime. However, it was Toby Cecchini in New York City who is often credited with popularizing and refining the drink in the early 1990s, notably by using fresh lime juice.

Imagine having a batch of incredibly delicious and icy-cold Strawberry Cosmopolitans ready to go whenever you want a special drink!

This recipe makes it super easy to whip up a big amount ahead of time and keep it in your freezer.

Forget fussy mixing for every single drink – just pour and enjoy! The sweet taste of real strawberries blends beautifully with the classic Cosmo flavors, making a drink that looks as good as it tastes. Get ready for a simple way to have a fun and fruity cocktail always on hand!”

Ingredients for Freezer Strawberry Cosmopolitans

• Strawberries: Wash 8 ounces of fresh strawberries. Rinse the strawberries under cool running water to remove any dirt, sand, or potential pesticides. This ensures a clean and pure flavor for your syrup. Remove the green leafy tops (hulls) as they are not typically used in syrups and can impart a slightly bitter or grassy taste. Cutting the strawberries into smaller pieces increases their surface area, allowing them to release their juices and flavor more effectively when heated with the sugar and water. The size doesn’t need to be precise.
• White Sugar: Measure 1 cup of white sugar. Granulated white sugar acts as the sweetener for the simple syrup. It also helps to preserve the strawberry flavor and creates a syrupy consistency.
• Water: Divide 1 cup of water into ¾ cup and ¼ cup. You’ll use ¾ cup of water to make the strawberry simple syrup. The remaining ¼ cup will be added directly to the vodka mixture later to adjust the final consistency.
• Vodka: Use 1 (1 liter) bottle of vodka. The vodka forms the base spirit of your Cosmopolitan. You’ll need the entire liter bottle, but you’ll first remove a portion to make space for the other ingredients.
• Orange Liqueur: Measure ¾ cup of orange liqueur. Orange liqueur, like Cointreau, adds a crucial citrusy and slightly sweet flavor component to the Cosmopolitan, contributing to its signature taste profile.
• Fresh Lime Juice: Squeeze ½ cup of fresh lime juice. Freshly squeezed lime juice provides a bright, tart, and essential acidic balance to the sweetness of the syrup and liqueur. Avoid bottled lime juice for the best flavor. To get ½ cup, you’ll likely need 3-4 limes, depending on their size and juiciness. Roll the limes firmly on a countertop before cutting to help release more juice. Cut them in half and use a citrus juicer or squeeze by hand, straining out any seeds and large pieces of pulp.
• Sliced Limes: Slice one or two limes into thin rounds. Thin slices of fresh lime are used as an attractive and aromatic garnish for the finished frozen Cosmopolitans, adding a final touch of citrus. Wash the limes before slicing.

Directions

Here are the directions for your Freezer Strawberry Cosmopolitans, broken down into 8 simple steps:

Step 1: Start the Sweet Base

In a small pot, combine your chopped strawberries, sugar, and most of the water. Heat it up and let it gently simmer until it thickens a bit.

Step 2: Strain for Smoothness

Pour the strawberry mixture through a fine strainer into a jar. Leave behind any solids and let the yummy syrup cool down completely.

Step 3: Prep the Cocktail Bottle

Take your liter of vodka and pour out a little bit (about a cup) to make some space in the bottle.

Step 4: Mix the Magic

Add the cooled strawberry syrup, the orange liqueur, the fresh lime juice, and the rest of the water into the vodka bottle.

Step 5: Chill It Down

Close the bottle tightly and give it a gentle swirl to mix everything well. Pop it into your freezer for at least six hours, or until it’s nice and frozen.

Step 6: Get Ready to Serve

When you’re ready for a drink, take the bottle out of the freezer and give it a light shake.

Step 7: Pour and Enjoy

Pour the frosty strawberry Cosmopolitan into your favorite martini glasses.

Step 8: Add a Zesty Touch

If you like, slice a lime and use a piece to garnish each glass. Cheers!

Enjoy your homemade, large-batch frozen strawberry cosmopolitans!