Few cocktails have enjoyed quite the cultural life of the Cosmopolitan. With its blush-pink color, citrus edge and polished presentation, it became one of the defining drinks of the late 20th century and remains a fixture on cocktail menus around the world.
Its exact origins are debated. Several bartenders have been credited with versions of the drink over the years, but the modern Cosmopolitan as most people know it emerged from the American bar scene in the 1980s and 1990s, combining vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry and fresh lime in a formula that is crisp, tart and effortlessly elegant.
National Cosmopolitan Day offers a good excuse to revisit the classic, but the appeal of the drink extends far beyond the calendar. A well-made Cosmo is balanced rather than overly sweet, with enough citrus to keep the cranberry bright and enough orange liqueur to round out the vodka.
This version uses FAIR Vodka and Bols Curaçao Triple Sec for a clean, citrus-led finish.
Ingredients
- 45ml FAIR Vodka
- 15ml Bols Curaçao Triple Sec Liqueur
- 30ml cranberry juice
- 10ml fresh lime juice
- Ice
- Lemon or orange twist, to garnish
Method
- Add the vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and lime juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake vigorously for around 10 to 15 seconds, until the shaker is thoroughly chilled.
- Double strain into a pre-chilled cocktail or martini glass.
- Garnish with a twist of lemon or orange peel and serve immediately.
The secret to a better Cosmopolitan is restraint. Too much cranberry can make the drink cloying, while too little citrus leaves it flat. Fresh lime is essential, and chilling the glass beforehand gives the cocktail the clean, polished finish it deserves.
For an elegant presentation, express the oils from the citrus peel over the surface of the drink before dropping in the garnish. It is a small detail, but one that adds a bright aromatic lift as the glass reaches the nose.
The Cosmopolitan may have become synonymous with glamour and nightlife, but its staying power comes down to something simpler: when properly balanced, it is just a very good cocktail.
