Made famous By Sex And The City, The Cosmopolitan became New York's drink of choice during the '90s. Let's get our inner Carrie Bradshaw on and learn how to make a perfect Cosmo.
The Cosmopolitan, a vibrant red concoction synonymous with glamour, Manolo's, and Sex and the City is a staple of classy cocktail culture worldwide. The Cosmo's origin story isn't quite clear. Some suspect it came from a Miami bartender with a penchant for the tart and colorful, while others credit a New York mixologist trying to appeal to a bigger crowd than the Martini set. Regardless of its birthplace, the Cosmo skyrocketed to fame in the late '80s and '90s, becoming the It-drink of trendy bars and restaurants. Let's make Samantha proud with our take on this delicious libation.
Ingredients:
- Ice
- 1 1/2 ounces vodka (we live for the lemon, so we opt for Smirnoff Citrus Vodka)
- 1-ounce cranberry juice (if you like it more tangy, we would go for classic Ocean Spray, but for a sweeter blend, Whole Foods' 365 brand is our choice is a great choice)
- 1/2 ounce Cointreau
- 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice (once again, if you like sweeter, opt for a pre-sweetened brand. Rose's lime juice is a great choice and easy to find)
- Orange slice for garnish
Instructions:
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add vodka, cranberry juice, Cointreau, and lime juice to the shaker.
- Shake it like it's a Magic 8 Ball that keeps giving you the wrong answers - about 30 seconds should do.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with the orange slice.
And just like that...you have a Cosmo!
Tips:
- If you want some seriously rich citrus flavor, substitute limoncello for lime juice - we like Pallini because it's not too overpowering.
- Want a dash more fruitiness and a deeper color? You can use a few muddled strawberries and a mint garnish to add texture, flavor, and a rich hue to your cocktail.
