Christmas Cosmopolitan
A citrus and berry brandy cocktail ∙ Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 14.5% ABV ∙
The Christmas Cosmopolitan is a spiced holiday Cosmopolitan: cognac shaken with triple sec, falernum, cranberry and lime juice.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake all ingredients with ice: Cognac 30 mlTriple sec 20 mlFalernum liqueur 10 mlCranberry juice 30 mlLime juice 15 ml
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Garnish with a rosemary sprig spiked with a dried cranberry
Tips
- The falernum is the smallest pour at 10 ml, so measure it; a heavy hand buries the cranberry and lime under clove.
History
The Christmas Cosmopolitan is a seasonal variation on the Cosmopolitan. It swaps the vodka for cognac and adds falernum liqueur, whose blend of spices lends the drink a festive, wintry note not present in the original.
The Cosmopolitan's own origin is disputed among several claimants, but the internationally recognized recipe is generally credited to bartender Toby Cecchini at The Odeon restaurant in Manhattan in 1988.
FAQ
What is in a Christmas Cosmopolitan?
30 ml cognac, 20 ml triple sec, 10 ml falernum, 30 ml sweetened cranberry juice and 15 ml lime juice. The falernum's clove-and-ginger warmth is what makes it a holiday drink.
Is a Christmas Cosmopolitan shaken or stirred?
Shaken. The cranberry and lime juice need the aeration and quick chill of a hard shake; stirring would leave the drink flat and under-diluted.
What glass is a Christmas Cosmopolitan served in?
A coupe glass, garnished with a rosemary sprig and dried cranberries.
What is a winter Cosmopolitan?
A seasonal take on the Cosmopolitan with warming, spiced ingredients. This Christmas Cosmopolitan is one, built on cognac rather than vodka, with falernum for clove and ginger.
Is a Cosmopolitan a vegan drink?
Yes, this Christmas Cosmopolitan is vegan, vegetarian, and lactose-free, since it is built entirely from spirits, liqueurs, and fruit juice with no dairy or animal-derived ingredients.
