The cocktail presented today is the modern Cosmopolitan, which according to the IBA (International Bartenders Association) is a cocktail made with Vodka Citron (lemon flavoured vodka), Cointreau (orange liqueur), Cranberry Juice, and freshly squeezed Lime Juice. The serving is by now means consistent, and if you order a Cosmo (as the bar drink is frequently referred to) you will most likely receive a variation on the recipe usually using regular vodka and sweetened lime juice. An orange peel garnish is also quite popular, (the IBA formulation states a lime slice garnish).

Like most home bartenders, I do not have a ready supply of Vodka Citron, nor a suitable substitute in my home bar. However, I wanted to build my Cosmopolitan as closely as I could to the IBA formulation. I solved this problem by using my newly acquired Big Rig Premium Vodka and tweaking the recipe by adding a touch of lemon juice and decreasing the lime juice by the same amount. I tried both garnishes, and decided that the orange peel garnish seemed to suit the overall flavour profile more so than the lime slice.

Cosmopolitan

2 oz Premium Vodka
1 oz Cointreau
1 oz Cranberry juice
3/4 oz Lime juice
1/4 oz Lemon juice
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
Orange Peel

Add the first six Ingredients into a cocktail Shaker with ice
Shake until the outside of the shaker begins to frost
Strain the cocktail into a chilled glass
Garnish with Orange Peel

Note: If  you are interested in more of my cocktail recipes, please click this link (Cocktails and Recipes) for more of my mixed drink recipes!