Anyone who knows me knows that the Cosmopolitan is unashamedly my favourite cocktail. As we’re coming to the halfway point of the year, I’ve rounded up the best Cosmo’s from 2018 – so far. Conveniently, it makes a nice neat list of 10 – though these are in no particular order, they’re all great 🙂
Forever linked with the 90’s and Sex and the City, the Cosmo dates back much further, with its roots in a 1930’s confection featuring gin, instead of vodka. There are mentions of it in the 1970’s in America, before it was popularised by SJP and the gang. The International Bartenders Association quotes the recipe as:
- 4 cl Citron Vodka
- 1.5 cl Cointreau
- 3 cl Cranberry juice
- 1.5 cl Fresh lime juice
Shake all ingredients in cocktail shaker filled with ice. Strain into a large cocktail glass, garnish with lime slice…and voila. They also very sensibly catagorise it as an ‘All Day Cocktail‘. I’m not arguing with that!
The Cosmopolitan at Hakkasan was stop-you-in-your-tracks-knock-your-socks-off-good. More than good, it was the best Cosmo I’ve had in years. A stand-out cocktail and a lovely bar to drink it at. Followed by some Michelin Starred Chinese nibbles.
Trocadero Playa, Marbella
Cocktail on the beach at sunset, perfect. Nicely balanced and a good size. Usual routine is to drop the bags off and head out for one of these on arrival.
Artesian Bar, the Langham Hotel, London W1
Well earned cocktail after a busy days shopping in London. Lovely unusual glasses. Quite red in colour but perfectly balanced.
Purobeach, Marbella
Beach club perfection – and huge too! Perfect to sip while listening to some Balearic beats and chilling out. Look at that for a holiday cocktail 🙂
Chilli Pickle, Brighton
Ordered off-menu and this wonderful restaurant made me my favourite cocktail. Lovely as a pre-curser to an Indian feast.
Charlotte St Hotel, London W1
One of London’s classic hotel bars, as expected they do an excellent Cosmo (and a great Old Fashioned too).
Mayfair Hotel, London W1
Again, excellent hotel cocktail bar – great place for meeting friends. In fact, I was having so much fun that I forgot to take a picture, so here’s one I obviously took from their website!
Nobu, London W1
These slip down incredibly well with a selection of Japanese food. Had a few more in the bar downstairs after too.
Malmaison, LondonEC1
Much better in the upstairs bar than the downstairs one, but still a good shout for a cocktail in EC1.
Iberica, London EC1
Cocktails and tapas…yum.
Any must-drink Cosmo recommendations for me?
