Modern classic cocktail: Cosmopolitan & its many variations

The Cosmopolitan is a modern day classic cocktail recipe originating with variations of a Harpoon recipe featured in an Ocean Spray marketing campaign. This recipe was later tweaked by bartender, Cheryl Cook, using Absolut Citron Vodka. Dale DeGroff is often credited for the cocktail’s creation with his version using Cointreau. The Cosmo became an overnight sensation when Madonna was seen sipping this lovely libation at the Rainbow Room in 1996 and again when the characters of Sex in the City became frequent imbibers of this trendsetting Girl’s Night Out concoction during the show’s glory days.

 

1-1/2 ounce Citrus Vodka

3/4 ounce Cointreau

1 ounce Cranberry Juice

1/4 ounce Fresh Lime Juice

Flamed Orange Peel

 

Combine vodka, Cointreau and juices in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with fresh flamed orange peel. 

 

While modern style speakeasy bars serve prohibition era cocktails and martinis as classics of days gone by, rest assured the Cosmopolitan in its original form will remain a long standing fixture in cocktail culture for years to come as a modern day classic. Eight more variations on the modern day classic Cosmo recipe may be found in the photo recipe slide show below. A multitude of additional Cosmopolitan recipes provided below using a variety of base spirits demonstrate this cocktail’s staying power and popularity among consumers.

 

NUVO Sparkling Cosmo - Updated NUVO Sparkling Cosmo - TY KU Cosmo

Winter Cosmo - Three-O Berry Cosmo - Sin City Cosmopolitan

Three-O Orange Cosmo - Three-O Raspberry Cosmo - Three-O Cherry Cosmo

 

Reviews – Classic Cocktails – Top 10 Classic Cocktails

 

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www.discus.org – Distilled Spirits Council of the United States