The Cosmopolitan is a popular cocktail that has been around for several decades. It’s a modern-day classic that is known for its refreshing and tangy taste. A Cosmopolitan is usually made with vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice & Triple Sec liqueur and is typically served in a martini glass.

The History

The Cosmopolitan has a somewhat disputed origin, with several different stories surrounding its creation. Some sources suggest that it was first created in the 1930s or 1940s, while others claim that it gained popularity in the 1980s or 1990s.

One popular theory is that the drink was created by a bartender named Cheryl Cook at the Strand Restaurant in South Beach, Miami in the late 1980s or early 1990s. According to this story, Cook created the cocktail as a modern twist on the classic Kamikaze, which typically contains vodka, lime juice, and triple sec.

There are also several interesting stories and anecdotes related to the Cosmopolitan. For example, some sources suggest that the drink was initially popular amongst the LGBTQ+ community in New York City, and that it was known as the "pink drink" before it gained wider popularity.

The drink

Additionally, some bartenders and mixologists have suggested that the original recipe for the Cosmopolitan included a splash of Rose's lime juice, which gives the drink a slightly different flavor than the version typically served today.

Despite its somewhat murky origins, the Cosmopolitan has evolved into a beloved modern-day classic cocktail.Over the years, the recipe has been modified to suit different tastes. But how can you make a proper Cosmopolitan?

A simple, yet delicious recipe for a Cosmopolitan contains the following 4 ingredients:

30ml Bols Vodka

30ml Bols Triple Sec

30ml Cranberry juice

10ml fresh lime juice

Shake these ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Fine strain in a pre-chilled martini glass. Garnish with an orange zest.

The Cosmopolitan is a modern-day classic that has been here for some time. It’s beauty lies in simple, yet high quality ingredients that will keep many guests calling for another one for many decades more to come.

If you want to learn how to make more amazing cocktail recipes, check out our bartending courses at the Bols Cocktail Academy.