For the twelfth drink of Christmas, my bartender Dale DeGroff made for me, a Cosmopolitan.
The invention of the modern-day Cosmo is generally credited to bartender Cheryl Cook in Miami’s South Beach. Her recipe was made with Absolut Citron, a splash of triple sec, a few dashes of Rose’s Lime and some cranberry juice to turn it pink. But it was far too sweet and little too artificial. The Cosmo became what we know it as today thanks to cocktail heavyweight Dale DeGroff of the Rainbow Room in New York, he used Absolut Citron, Cointreau, cranberry juice and fresh lime juice, along with a flamed orange peel garnish. I have actually DeGroff make me a Cosmo and it is pretty damn good.
But did you know the Cosmo rose to stardom long before Sex and the City ever aired. Its prominence skyrocketed when Madonna was pictured sipping one at the Rainbow Room Grammy party. Here’s how to make yours just like Madge. Note that is Candy Bergen not Madonna. Photo: HBO
- 1.5 oz. Absolut Citron Vodka
- 1.0 oz. Cointreau
- .25 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
- 1 oz. Cranberry Juice
1. Always Chill your glass.
2. Shake all ingredients with ice. Always shake Vodka based Martinis.
3. Strain into your chilled cocktail glass.
4. Hold a flame to the orange peel briefly to release oil. Garnish with peel
5. Enjoy
6. Repeat