The Cosmopolitan. Photo by Donna Turner Ruhlman
What else with the fried chicken for a graduation lunch? Any special beverages for graduation? "Kathy likes Cosmos," our soon-to-graduate daughter offered. We considered. But this was lunch, so we decided to keep it to wine and beer, and a champagne toast for the three graduates we were to celebrate (gosh, they are so much more responsible than I was, praise the Lord). But that Cosmo idea. It stuck. Because Kathy Mustee, wife and mom of four including newly graduated twins, is a pleasure to be with, smart, and, significantly, she is not to be trifled with. Even my daughter fears the Wrath of Kathy, the only person I know her openly to fear (I'd have paid Kathy for lessons had I known). And she likes Cosmos.
Clearly, the Cosmopolitan, a pink vodka-based drink needed to be reconsidered. The Wiki description is fascinating for its history. This is a young cocktail, I knew, but I had no idea how colorful a cocktail of only a generation could be. So I mixed one, determined to make it today's Hour, and I'll be damned if it's not a superlative cocktail, vodka and all. I'm offering two versions, the standard (minus the citron vodka, see history, add lemon if you want lemon), followed by what I prefer. Everything to taste as always.
I can't help thinking though, Wrath of Kathy notwithstanding, that gin would be better. Isn't it always?
But that's for another Hour. Till then, cheers, congrats, and thanks to our friends Kathy and Kevin (and Barb and Clem!).
Good summer to all!
The Cosmopolitan
This is traditional and would have been what Carrie Bradshaw was served until she stopped drinking them because everyone else started.
- 1.5 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce cranberry juice
- 0.5 ounce triple sec
- 0.5 ounce lime juice
- Lime slice garnish
- Combine all ingredients except the lime slice in a container, fill it with ice, stir till everything is nice and cold and the ice has tempered the hooch.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with lime slice.
Ruhlman's Cosmo For Real Men
(and fake men) (and women who are girlie men down deep)
This is my preference for strength, size, and especially the balance between the sweetness of the triple sec component—here, Cointreau—and the acidity of the lime.
- 60 grams vodka (2 ounces)
- 45 grams cranberry juice (1.5 ounces)
- 25 grams Cointreau (a little less than 1 ounce—0.892857 to be [almost] exact)
- 20 grams lime juice (0.75 ounce)
- Lime slice garnish
- Combine all ingredients except the lime slice in a container, fill it with ice, stir till everything is nice and cold and the ice has tempered the hooch.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with lime slice.
If you liked this post, take a look at these links:
- My past cocktail posts with vodka: the Lemon Drop and the Moscow Mule.
- DIY triple sec: Is it better to make it yourself or to purchase it?
- How about making a Barbados Cosmo? Just swap out the vodka with golden rum.
- An interesting read, the history of sweet cocktails.
© 2013 Michael Ruhlman. Photo © 2013 Donna Turner Ruhlman. All rights reserved.
"not to be trifled with". Someone's a Princess Bride fan.
I have a hard time warming up to vodka drinks. I'll just have to wait for the gin version.
bless you. someone on twitter recommended tequila instead of vodka.
and i'll tell donna!
Forgot to add: as always, a beautiful photograph by Donna.
Glad your still using a martini glass for the real men version, and not a coffee mug, or red plastic cup.
One of my favorites... although I must admit I reallylike Ruhlman’s Cosmo For Real Men
Idk, I don't think there is a version for real men.
Actually, a nice tequila bianco works instead of vodka also. 1800 Silver tastes great in it.
I'll vouch for a mellow gin in place of vodka in a Cosmo- it's delicious. A good crisp Cosmo is hard to beat in the summertime.
Coudos to Emilia for recomending Angels and Envy bourbon.
Bueno bueno! Do not mix, sip it.
No slammin goddamit!
Coooooo does.
Kaaaas hhhooooo does.
Cooodoes.
Cudose.
Sumptin 'bout sumptin, wida sumpin dumpin...
Sumpin sumpin
Llllllllletttts git rrready toooooo rrrrrummmbahhhhhlllll!
Hooooochy momma
Bueno bueno...
I prefer the Cointreau version too and have been known to use pomegranate juice in place of the cranberry juice.....
Me too 🙂
Looks good. Looking forward to the gin version. Cheers.
If you wish for to get much from this post then you have to apply these techniques to your won blog.
My relatives every time say that I am killing my time here
at web, however I know I am getting familiarity every day by reading such nice articles or reviews.
Next time your mixing these up, give this spec a try
.25 simple syrup
.5 cranberry juice cocktail
.75 lime juice (juice from the blossom end of the lime tastes better)
.75 cointreau
1.5 vodka (citron is, as you know, classic; and perhaps worthwhile)
SHAKE everything with plenty of ice, strain into a chilled glass, and garnish with an orange twist (flamed if you've got a match).
By no means the greatest drink out there, but made like this, it could actually be worth seeking out.
Also, far from classic, but it's better in a coupe glass...
54013 865671Hoping to go into business venture world-wide-web Indicates revealing your products or services furthermore companies not only to ladies locally, but nevertheless , to several prospective clients in which are online in most cases. e-wallet 513257