# Cosmo

/ˈkɔzmoʊ/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cosmo
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a popular pink cocktail made with vodka, cranberry juice, and lime. It is a short name for a Cosmopolitan.

For teachers: a cocktail consisting of vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and freshly squeezed or sweetened lime juice. Informal clipping of 'Cosmopolitan'.

## Examples

- She ordered a cosmo at the bar.
- The group of friends celebrated their promotion by ordering a round of cosmos at the lounge.
- While the cosmo gained immense cultural visibility in the late nineties, it remains a staple of modern mixology due to its balanced profile of tartness and sweetness.

## Usage notes

- Typically used in informal social settings; the full name 'Cosmopolitan' is preferred on formal drink menus.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.