The Count of Monte Cosmopolitan Cocktail:

“It’s necessary to have wished for death in order to know how good it is to live.” – The Count of Monte Cristo

Life or death is a little heavy on this Friday, but I have a less serious (yet still important) question for you. Have you ever had a REAL Cosmopolitan Cocktail?  I am not talking about the overly sweet, overly pink, and overly girly drink most people think of. I am talking a REAL crafted Cosmopolitan Cocktail here ladies and gentlemen.

If the answer is yes, then you are here for the right reasons. If the answer is no, then stick around and let me enlighten you on this very misguided cocktail.

This week’s Bon Appeteach “Book Club” novel is none other than, The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas. The story is a rather invigorating and exciting one (so is the movie… check it out if you haven’t seen it). It follows a man who has been falsely accused of treason, imprisoned, and escapes to seek treasure and ultimately revenge. I too am seeking revenge this week on the Cosmopolitan Cocktail.

This drink for some reason has a bit of a bad rap and is seen as overly “feminine” if ordered by anyone who, well isn’t a woman.

I am proud to tell you that this recipe does not dictate femininity or masculinity, because it’s honestly, just delicious. Don’t let the Sex and the City stereotype make you shy away either.  So join me this week for a great classic cocktail that deserves a lot more credit than it’s given.  

Full recipe for the classic Cosmopolitan Cocktail is below and plenty of tips, tricks, and food pairing ideas if you read on!

Cosmopolitan Cocktail

This recipe was inspired by several classic versions on the internet, but credit for swapping out the Cointreau for the Curaçao goes to Greg, from How To Drink. If you’re a big cocktail fan…. check this dude out!

• 1 oz.  Simple Syrup (or use a keto simple syrup if desired)
• .50 oz. Lime Juice
• .25 oz.  REAL Cranberry Juice
• 1 oz. Curaçao
• 2 oz. Vodka
• Splash of Maraschino
• Garnish with a Lime

Shaken, Not Stirred-

I love how easy it is to make a good cocktail. Don’t pay $14 for this drink when you can easily make it at home for way, way less! In a cocktail shaker, add some ice. Pour in your simple syrup, lime juice, and pure cranberry juice.

This stuff is STRONG! So I measured way less than if I had the fruit cocktail version and upped the simple syrup to balance it out. I prefer the tartness of this (you can also create a keto simple syrup using Monk Fruit or Erythritol or whatever low carb sweetener you prefer to omit some of the carbs) over the regular cranberry cocktail version. If you do use a cranberry cocktail, half the simple syrup and double the cranberry juice.

Next, add the vodka and the curaçao to the shaker. Shake well to help slightly dilute and chill the mixture. Pour and strain into a classic martini glass, or coupe glass (my favorite). garnish with a lime wedge or wheel and sip your way to happiness.

Food Pairing-

There are a lot of foods that pair well with vodka, cranberry, and lime.  This cocktail is a little sweet and fruity (but also refreshing), I wanted the food to match well. I created a Low Carb California Flatbread Pizza. This can be done on either my Low Carb Naan Bread or my Low Carb Thin Crust Pizza Dough.

Feel like taking a shortcut? Uh, me too! It’s Friday after all! Use a low carb tortilla or flatbread if you aren’t worried about being gluten free! Don’t eat low carb/ keto? Cool. Use a regular store bought flatbread or Naan bread too. Saute the chicken and the bacon, and add the onion and red pepper.

Create a spicy chipotle ranch sauce (optional) and grate some cheese. Pile it all on the flatbread (or whatever vehicle you so choose to get this deliciousness into your mouth), and bake till the cheese is nice and melted. Top with a little more spicy chipotle ranch, diced avocado, and a sprinkle of cilantro, and dig in!