May 7 is National Cosmo Day

May 7 is National Cosmopolitan Day.  Better known as the “Cosmo,” the drink is a combination of vodka, triple sec, lime juice, and cranberry juice.

Probably the best-known Cosmo drinkers are Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte from Sex in the City, the show credited with popularizing (and overexposing) the drink.

There are slight variations on the recipe but a vodka drink devised in 1987 by bartender, Toby Cecchini is the one associated with the modern-day Cosmo.

• The roots of the Cosmopolitan came from a drink called the Daisy from the 1930’s.  This version had gin, cointreau, lemon juice and raspberry syrup.  Similar but sweeter than our Cosmo.
• The Cosmo was popularized by the movie Sex and the City, since it was a favorite drink of the actors in the series.
• Before Carrie Bradshaw and friends enjoyed the drink, it was enjoyed by Madonna and other celebrities.
• In the 1960’s a recipe for a cocktail on Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Bottles was called the “harpoon.”
• Even though Tony Cecchini is often credited as the creator of the Cosmo, the history is rather murky. Some think the origins go back to late 19th century.
• National Cosmopolitan Day was coined by freelance author Jace Shoe-Maker Galloway.

Richard at Clydes Mark Center in Alexandria, VA makes the best Cosmos