Would Carrie Bradshaw approve? The Cosmopolitan is one of the defining modern classic cocktails that gained popularity from the late 1980s and sky-rocketed when Madonna was seen drinking one at the Rainbow Room in New York, and after it became arguably the defining turn-of-the-century cocktail in Sex and the City.
But do these pre-packaged versions bear any resemblance to the combination of vodka (potentially flavoured citrus vodka), triple sec, cranberry juice and lime juice (... with flamed orange zest, of course) or are they lurid pink, cloying imitations?
5% alc./vol.
Producer: The Authentic Cocktail Company, Bury.
"A blend of cranberry juice, lime juice, orange liqueur and premium vodka", says the label of this 250ml individual serve can which is "best served chilled". Well, duh.
Appearance: Clear, candy pink.
Aroma: Bubblegum, apple and blackcurrant cordial, akin to a famous three-lettered blue RTD
Taste: Dilute, acidic palate with confected blackcurrant notes emerging.
Aftertaste: Fades with dilute fruit squash and citric acid dryness.
diffordsguide rating: 1.5/5
10% alc./vol.
Producer: Marks & Spencer, Chester.
Over 2½ measures of vodka are in this individual serve, says Marks & Sparks. And you can tell. Made in Belgium.
Appearance: Clear, sparkling , pale candy pink
Aroma: Pungent cranberry juice, lime oil/citric acid nose.
Taste: Synthetic candied palate with lime oil/citric acid, concentrated cordial, aggressive alcohol bite.
Aftertaste: Fades with citric acid dryness. The fact it is sparkling means it is not a Cosmopolitan in any conventional sense.
diffordsguide rating: 2/5
15% alc./vol.
Producer: Tails Ltd, Birmingham.
This 150ml individual serve is packaged with a nod to the design of a three-piece shaker and promises a sophisticated cocktail of berry & citrus fruits, made with Italian Tripple Sec and premium French vodka". Chill, shake & Pour, say the instructions, recommending a Martini glass and a garnish of orange peel.
Appearance: Clear, peach.
Aroma: Concentrated squash, pasteurised lemon, citric acid/lime oil.
Taste: Zesty, fresh and clean palate with punchy, peppery alcohol kick, surprisingly well-balanced.
Aftertaste: Nice dry finish, the flavour fades with lingering orange zest, like Dale DeGroff just flamed it himself: frankly better than lots of Cosmos we've tried in bars.
diffordsguide rating: 4/5
10% alc./vol.
Producer: Toorank Distilleries, The Netherlands.
This 700ml shaker-shaped bottle - with practically the same font as Cosmopolitan magazine, we note - contains six serves which it recommends pouring over crushed ice and serving with a slice of orange.
Appearance: Clear, cough syrup pink.
Aroma: Melted fruit ice lolly, citric acid to the fore.
Taste: Like a fizzy strawberry drink gone flat, aggressive citric acid and lacking alcohol bite/overly dilute (when following serving instructions).
Aftertaste: Cloying saccharine finish with lingering citric acid.
diffordsguide rating: 2/5
