What Is The Difference Between A Martini And A Cosmopolitan?
Whether you like a classic martini or a fruity Cosmopolitan, there are endless options to choose from. But are martinis and Cosmos the same thing? They are most definitely not — martinis are one of the most iconic cocktails and come in many shapes and forms, but the classic martini is made with gin and dry vermouth, served extremely cold, and garnished with an olive or lemon twist.
The traditional tall-stemmed V-shaped martini glass is one of the most recognizable glasses on the bar. Easy to spill and even easier to drink too many, martinis are made with both gin and vodka and a dirty martini is when you add some olive brine along with the olives you're using for garnish. A dry martini is when you'd like less vermouth, and a wet martini is the opposite — some martini drinkers like to use an even one-to-one ratio of gin to vermouth.
Different versions of these cocktails
James Bond famously orders his martini "shaken, not stirred," but some folks are happiest ordering their drinks on the rocks (especially in the summer). Flavored and fruity martinis abound, and the sky's the limit on inventing a new martini based on whatever flavor profile you can dream up. This includes everything from an apple version to a rhubarb-infused beverage.
If you're a martini drinker, you'll likely find the cranberry juice and Cointreau in a classic Cosmopolitan to be a sweeter, more mellow option. That's because Cosmos are made with vodka (and unlike the martini, never gin) and then shaken with Cointreau, cranberry juice, and fresh lime juice. Cosmos are often served in martini glasses and can be made with plain or citrus-flavored vodkas.