Murray's version of the Cosmopolitan came about when he decided to add a splash of cranberry juice to a cocktail called the Kamikaze. The Kamikaze is typically made with vodka, triple sec, and lime juice. Murray's addition of cranberry juice gave the drink a vibrant pink color and a slightly tart flavor.
The first person to taste Murray's creation apparently exclaimed, “How cosmopolitan!” This is how the cocktail got its name. The term “cosmopolitan” refers to something or someone with a worldly and sophisticated character, which was fitting for the new drink.
Murray's original recipe for the Cosmopolitan included 1.5 ounces of Gordon's vodka, 0.5 ounces of triple sec, a splash of cranberry juice, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. This combination of ingredients created a balanced and refreshing cocktail that quickly gained popularity.
Over the years, the Cosmopolitan has become synonymous with elegance and sophistication. It gained even more recognition and popularity in the 1990s when it was frequently featured on the television show “Sex and the City,” where it was the signature drink of the main character, Carrie Bradshaw.
The Cosmopolitan's rise to fame can also be attributed to its appealing aesthetic. The bright pink color, typically garnished with a lime twist, makes it visually appealing and Instagram-worthy. It has become a staple in bars and cocktail menus around the world.
While Neal Murray's claim to be the creator of the Cosmopolitan is widely accepted, it's worth noting that there are other accounts and variations of the cocktail's origin. Some bartenders and mixologists claim to have developed similar recipes around the same time or even earlier. However, Murray's story remains the most well-known and widely recognized.
The Cosmopolitan cocktail was born in 1975 when bartender Neal Murray added cranberry juice to a Kamikaze cocktail. The name “cosmopolitan” was given to the drink after a taster commented on its worldly and sophisticated character. Murray's original recipe, which included vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice, gained popularity and became a symbol of elegance and style. Today, the Cosmopolitan remains a beloved classic cocktail enjoyed by many.