22 Jul Provocachic™ Cosmopolitan
Thought to have first appeared on menus in New York City in the late 1980s, the Cosmo was popularized by sophisticated ladies (rumour has it especially since Madonna was seen drinking one). It has an appealing reddish hue, and tartness from the cranberry which contrasts the cloying sweetness of most cocktails. This version has a much fuller body than most recipes, with an interesting floral touch.
1 serving
Ingredients
1 ounce vodka
1 ounce cranberry juice cocktail (best if not from concentrate)
1 ounce pure cranberry juice
1/3 ounce calamansi juice (see notes)
1 tsp rose syrup (recommended: Rose’s brand rose syrup or Monin)
Raspberry and strawberry for garnish, making it a purely red cocktail
[Mixologist’s Notes: The combination of fresh cranberry juice and cranberry juice cocktail is important to achieve the right flavor balance. Calamansi is a small green citrus fruit from Southeast Asia which is quite sour with the aroma of a tangerine. You may substitute the juice of key limes or limes if you can’t find calamansi.]
Total: at least 3 1/3 ounces (guide for glassware)
Equipment
Cocktail Shaker (3-piece)
Martini glass or small champagne flute, for service
Preparation
Chill all the ingredients, garnishes and glassware in the refrigerator.
Make the cocktail:
Prepare the juices fresh, and garnish the glassware with the fruits along the rim. Place the cocktail ingredients into the shaker.
Top up cocktail shaker (about ¾ full) with ice cubes, preferably with the largest possible ice cubes. Shake and chill cocktail shaker with firm, concise and vigorous strokes until your hands can’t take the cold, and then a little longer…
Strain the ingredients into the martini glass. Good effort in the shaking shall reward you with tiny ice chips floating on the surface of the cocktail, adding a wonderful textural experience.
Serve immediately.
Copyright © 2006 Provocachic™ and The Gilded Fork, LLC. Recipe and photo by Damian SIM. All rights reserved.
Damian Sim is the resident mixologist for the Gilded Fork and the founder of Provocachic™, a cocktail consultancy company based in Singapore. For more cocktail tips and recipes, visit his Provocachic blog.