Aided by HBO's wildly popular "Sex and the City",
whose characters were often seen with a Cosmopolitan in hand, this light pink
drink may have been the most popular cocktail in America during the mid 1990s
and early 2000s. The history of the drink actually doesn't date much earlier
and was invented in the mid '80s when flavored vodka was getting its foothold
behind the bar.
Absolut Citron and Ocean Spray cranberry juice were the
defining ingredients in the original Cosmo, but for our alcohol-free version
we're going to use Seedlip Grove 42—which makes a terrific citrus vodka
alternative in drinks like this one or a Lemon Drop—and hibiscus tea.
Brew
a cup of hibiscus tea normally. Set in the fridge to chill. (You're only going
to use 1/2 ounce, so feel free to drink the rest.)
Add
Seedlip, Dhos, simple syrup, lime juice, chilled hibiscus tea, and bitters to a
cocktail shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.
Strain
into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish
with a lime wheel.
Recipe Note
MAKE IT
YOUR WAY
Oher citrus forward spirits will work in place of Seedlip here, such as Damrak Virgin 0.0. We like Dhōs Orange here,
but Lyre's Orange Sec or Sexy AF Triple Sexy will work great as well. You
could even use those sweet alcohol-free triple sec syrups found in grocery stores (but maybe cut out the simple syrup from this recipe).
Why
hibiscus tea? You can absolutely use cranberry juice like the standard recipe
calls for. But if you're like us, you don't necessarily want to open an entire
bottle of cranberry juice to use half an ounce for a cocktail. Hibiscus tea
works in the same way, adding a splash of color and tart fruit flavor.
MAKE IT MINDFULLY LOW ALCOHOL
Marathoning "Sex and the City" and you want to enjoy a few
Cosmos without getting white girl wasted? Try 1 1/2 ounces of Seedlip Grove
with 3/4 ounce of Cointreau or another alcoholic orange liqueur. Alternatively,
you could use 1 ounce of citrus vodka and 1 ounce of Dhos Orange (or another
non-alcoholic orange liqueur).
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