The television show, Sex and the City, may have made this one of the most popular cocktails in decades, but I can’t think of Cosmos (or Cosmopolitans) without thinking of our dear friend, Lauren M. 

Whenever we have Lauren and Chris M over for dinner, Ed prepares a batch of this modern classic cocktail ahead of time so he can have one ready when she walks through the door.

The history of a Cosmo isn’t entirely clear. Some say its origins date back to the 1930s when a drink called the Daisy was popular. A Daisy uses a spirit (your choice although often made with brandy), lemon juice, grenadine or raspberry syrup. You can see some overlap with what we know as a Cosmo, at least in color.

While a few bartenders made variations of what we now know as a Cosmo in the 1970s and 1980s, two bartenders are generally given credit for this drink. In the mid-1980s, Cheryl Cook, a bartender in Miami, used Absolut Citron vodka (lemon-flavored), triple sec, Rose’s lime juice and just enough cranberry juice to make it pink. Later in that decade in New York City, Toby Cecchini is credited with the recipe most commonly used today – Absolut Citron vodka, Cointreau (orange liqueur), fresh lime juice and cranberry juice. 

When we’re dining out, Lauren asks for hers with regular Grey Goose (not flavored) and light on the lime juice. I have seen some recipes that call for Grey Goose L’Orange. Using this would intensify the orange flavor, while Absolut Citron vodka would highlight the lime flavor.

No matter what vodka you select, don’t use too much cranberry juice as the desired result is a light pink color. 

Cheryl Cook served her Cosmo in a martini glass as she was surprised by the number of people who ordered traditional martinis just to be seen with a martini glass. While that glass has stuck, I serve it at home in a Nick and Nora glass or coupe glass. I find you’re more likely to spill some of your precious drink in a martini glass particularly if you’re standing or walking. And who wants to waste something this good?

Of course I love this cocktail since it’s pink and green.

Lauren's Cosmo

 

Lauren’s Cosmo
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Recipe type: Drink
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Ingredients
  • 1-1/2 vodka (see Notes)
  • 1 ounce Cointreau (see Notes)
  • ½ ounce cranberry juice (preferably cranberry juice cocktail)
  • ½ ounce fresh lime juice
  • Garnish with a lime wheel (see Notes)
Instructions
  1. Add ice to a Nick and Nora, coupe glass or martini glass to chill it.
  2. In a cocktail shaker, add vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice and lime juice. Add ice cubes to the shaker.
  3. Shake for about 15 seconds.
  4. Remove the ice from the glass and pour in the cocktail.
  5. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Notes
* If you have a citrus flavored vodka such as Absolut Citron or Grey Goose L'Orange you can substitute it for the plain vodka.
* Cointreau is the orange liqueur of choice but you can substitute triple sec.
* You can also garnish this with an orange twist.
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