Looking Cool with a Cosmo

Author: amoretti

When it first appeared on the cocktail scene back in the 80's, the cosmopolitan was soon literally on everyone's lips. It heralded in something that was previously unknown in the world of cocktails; a drink that has not disappeared into obscurity before becoming popular again. That's not to say it hasn't waxed and waned in popularity; it has. But it has shown more endurance than other specialty cocktails.

The actual inventor of the cosmopolitan recipe is one that is hotly disputed, with the commonly accepted inventor Cheryl Cook claiming to have invented it in 1985. However, her recipe calls specifically for Absolut Citron vodka, which was not available until 1988, thus throwing the entire story and existence of Cook into question. John Caine of San Francisco could be considered the father of the cosmo, as he was serving drinks with vodka, triple sec, lime, and cranberry back in the 70's at his bars, and they spread to other preppy drinking establishments. However, even his were different from what is typically served now, as citron vodka wasn't around back then.

What is known is the cosmopolitan came about is response to the increasing numbers of bar patron who were ordering martini's just to have a martini glass in their hand or in front of them. But a martini even made from the best hand is still a harsh drink. Often there is no middle ground where its preference is concerned; people either like it or hate it. But there is a certain "cool" and "hip" factor attached to the venerable cocktail that the cosmopolitan recipe sought to take advantage of. With the new pink libation, a taste that appealed to a broad range of tastes was discovered.

The cosmopolitan itself is often lumped in with other martinis, but it bears more in common with other sours like the kamikaze. But the confusion is understandable, as it is served in a cocktail, also known as a martini glass. A quick review of a cosmopolitan recipe shows, though, that it's closer to a kamikaze than a martini.

You take two parts vodka, citron flavor for a true cosmopolitan, with one part triple sec, the juice of half a lime, and one part cranberry juice. The cranberry juice is meant more for coloring, and if correctly made, shouldn't dilute or impart a strong flavor on the drink. Like the color of pink lemonade. A martini always has vermouth…

Other variations on the cosmopolitan recipe uses Cointreau instead of triple sec. The peach cosmopolitan uses peach schnapps instead of the triple sec, and peach juice instead of the cranberry. Sort of like a high class fuzzy navel…

However or why one enjoys a cosmopolitan, it is one that can be enjoyed by most that would enjoy a good cocktail. And there is no getting around that since it is served in a martini glass, it does give off the martini vibe without having you potentially gag down your drink. Whether made by the skillful hand of a good bartender, or from a high quality drink mix, the cosmopolitan is a drink that will enjoy widespread popularity for a long time.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/drinks-articles/looking-cool-with-a-cosmo-5318680.html

About the Author

The martini revolution of the 1990's blurred the lines considerably, and the cosmopolitan recipe has been among the more popular with the ladies.

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