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03/23/2001 Archived Entry: "Cosmopolitan Cocktail"

This is for my brother-in-law, Milton Alexander, who isn’t much of a drinker but who does order a cocktail when he goes out. He used to be stuck on Margaritas, but he has lately succumbed to fashion and the good flavor of a Cosmopolitan.

Cosmos are one of the now-many cocktails served in Martini glasses, and I like them myself, although I generally go for a much drier and stronger sort of drink. Given the sweet silliness of most of the new cocktails, concocted to appeal to young drinkers weaned on sweet soft drinks, Cosmopolitans are pretty sophisticated. Besides giving them great color, cranberry juice adds enough astringency to balance the orange-flavored liqueur (triple sec or Cointreau) and the sugary lime syrup (Rose’s). They were already a popular cocktail before the women on HBO’s Sex In The City drank them on nearly every program, but now they are a total rage.

The reason the recipe is here today is that tomorrow is my birthday (thank you to all who have sent me, one way or another, birthday greetings) and Rozanne Gold and her husband Michael Whiteman are making dinner for me and my inner circle, which of course includes my sister, Andrea, and Milton. The rest of us will drink Champagne and old red wines. Wanting to please Milt, too, Rozanne, who knows he doesn’t drink wine, asked me for a recipe for his favorite cocktail. This is the best version I know.

Cosmopolitan Cocktail

Makes 1

2 1/2 tablespoons Absolut Citron vodka
3/4 tablespoon Rose's lime juice
3/4 tablespoon triple sec or Cointreau
1/4 cup cranberry juice
1 cup ice cubes
Lime twist for garnish

Combine all the ingredients, except the lime twist, in a cocktail shaker or a large water tumbler. Shake well and strain into a Martini glass.
Garnish drink with the lime twist.