Metropolitan

Chuck Coggins, a bartender at Marion's Continental Restaurant and Lounge in downtown Manhattan, reportedly created this drink. It is merely a variation on the popular Cosmopolitan, but the use of currant-flavored vodka makes it a drink unto itself. The inclusion of sweetened lime juice in addition to fresh lime juice makes this drink overpoweringly sweet for some. If you prefer a drier taste, cut the sweetened lime juice back to 1 1/2 tsp., but don't omit it entirely because this drink does require some sweetness.

Ingredients:

  • Ice cubes
  • 2 1/2 fl. oz. Absolut Kurant vodka
  • 1 Tbs. sweetened lime juice, such as Rose's
  • 1 Tbs. fresh lime juice
  • 1 Tbs. cranberry juice cocktail
  • 1 lime wedge

Directions:

Fill a cocktail shaker two-thirds full of ice cubes. Add the vodka, sweetened lime juice, fresh lime juice and cranberry juice and shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with the lime wedge.
Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Guides, The Bar Guide, by Ray Foley (Time-Life Books, 1999).