COCKTAIL: A CLASSIC COSMOPOLITAN

I hope you had a good weekend! It's a Monday and the Monday before Valentine's Day, so I thought I would start the week off with a little cocktail... :) I was perusing Facebook last week when I saw this Cosmo recipe that Ina Garten posted on her page. I've loved Cosmopolitans since the Sex & The City days (who hasn't??) and I always like to try different variations of them. This classic version is made with lemon juice (instead of lime juice) and Cointreau obviously, which is an orange-flavored liqueur that is sweet and so very good. I keep a bottle of it on my bar cart and I sometimes just take the top off of it for a quick sniff. That might be strange, but that's how good it smells to me...

This Cosmo is sweet, sour, and the right amount of strong all in one. The Cointreau and cranberry juice marry to create the perfect amount of sweetness. The hint of orange in the background is so good! Fresh lemon juice adds just the right amount of sour, and the vodka makes it good and stiff! I used 7 oz of vodka (for 4 cocktails), but I suggest you experiment with the amount you add so that it's right for you, your girlfriends, or your significant other in the event you serve this up for Valentine's Day!

Here is what you need and what to do (makes 4 cocktails):

4 oz fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
4 ounces Cointreau liqueur
7 ounces Cranberry juice cocktail
7 ounces good vodka (I used Grey Goose)

Add all of the ingredients to a small pitcher and stir. Store in the fridge until ready to serve. Once you are ready to serve, add the mixture and a handful of ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake the cocktail for 30 seconds and strain into a frosted martini glass. Serve cold!

Enjoy!

Images by me