Lemongrass Cosmo
Muddle; Shake ∙ 4 min ∙ 16.3% ABV ∙
The Lemongrass Cosmo is a shaken vodka sour built on citron vodka, triple sec, muddled lemongrass, cranberry, and lemon juice, served up in a Martini glass. Fine-strained to a silky, chilled finish, it balances tart brightness with a subtle floral snap from the muddled stem lingering beneath each sip.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- In the base of the shaker, muddle: Lemongrass stem 3 cm
- Add the remaining ingredients: Citron vodka 30 mlTriple sec 30 mlCranberry juice 45 mlLemon juice 15 ml
- Shake with ice
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Garnish with a lemon twist
Tips
- Pre-chill the glass so the fine-strained, ice-free pour stays cold longer once served.
- Bruise the lemongrass stem with a few firm presses rather than pulverizing it, to release oils without woody shreds.
- Fine-strain firmly to catch stray lemongrass fibers before they reach the glass.
History
The Lemongrass Cosmo is a modern riff on the Cosmopolitan that adds a muddled lemongrass stem to the classic build. It is documented as the signature cocktail at Opia Bar in Hong Kong, with its discovery dated to 2005.
The Cosmopolitan itself has a disputed origin, with rival bartenders in 1970s Minneapolis and 1980s Miami both credited with early versions before Toby Cecchini and Dale DeGroff popularized the citrus-vodka, triple sec, cranberry and lime formula in New York in the late 1980s and 1990s. The Lemongrass Cosmo keeps that citrus-vodka and cranberry base but muddles in fresh lemongrass for an aromatic, herbal edge.
FAQ
How do you make a Lemongrass Cosmo?
Muddle a piece of lemongrass stem in the base of the shaker, then add citron vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lemon juice and shake hard with ice. Fine-strain into a chilled Martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
What is in a Lemongrass Cosmo?
Citron vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and fresh lemon juice, with a muddled piece of lemongrass stem for aromatic lift. It is shaken and fine-strained into a Martini glass with a lemon twist, and comes in at about 16.3% ABV.
How do you make a Cosmopolitan cocktail?
A classic Cosmopolitan is vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and fresh lime juice, shaken and strained up into a Martini glass with a lime twist. The Lemongrass Cosmo follows the same shaken, citrus-and-cranberry structure but swaps in citron vodka, lemon juice, and a muddled lemongrass stem for a grassier, more aromatic profile.
