Cosmopolitan

One of the pioneers in the fancy field of cocktails, the Cosmopolitan was one of the first ‘mixed’ alcoholic beverages to be produced. It ushered in an era of mixologists whose swift, dexterous moves would have you gaping at their art in awe. From flame-throwing shenanigans to smoky reveals, the world of cocktails has now reached a different level altogether. Thus, when discussing this sub-genre of drinks, it is imperative to offer a hat-tip to the main star of them all. A delicious mix of vodka, cranberry juice, triple sec and lime, the Cosmopolitan has always been elegance personified. Offered in wide-mouthed, pyramidal, clear glasses, the blush pink drink attained a social status of its own.

History dates the origins of the cocktail to 1968, when Ocean Spray company was devising methods to sell their cranberry juice to adults. A popular juice among children, the cranberry flavour was yet to become acceptable for adults, who would much rather go for an orange extract along with their breakfast cereals. Hence, the executives at Ocean Spray came up with a plan. They invented a drink, which they named Harpoon. The Harpoon essentially comprised one ounce each of vodka and cranberry juice, with a dash of lime (hence becoming a predecessor to the Cosmopolitan, but only without the sweet Cointreau). In his book Who Put the Beef in Wellington?: 50 Culinary Classics, Who Invented Them, When and Why, James Winter claims that Cheryl Cook, a bartender operating in South Beach in the 1970s, concocted this mix after customers incessantly came up to her and requested for something easy on the palette (read: sweeter), but would also look suave while drinking.

Another similarly dated incident talks of a John Caine who was experimenting with the same ingredients in Provincetown. Caine’s story technically has more grounds, considering Provincetown is close to one of the biggest producing sectors of cranberry. With Caine, the Cosmopolitan also journeys its way from Provincetown to San Francisco, where the cocktail was lapped up, especially by the gay community.

Though these two accounts do not have an official backing, the Cosmopolitan did have a formal date of creation. In 1987, a bartender named Toby Cecchini was known to have first made this combination at the renowned Odeon Hotel, situated in Manhattan’s Tribeca area.