Mike's Mix: Nancy's Cosmo (Winter 2014 Version)

Mike's Mix got a special taste of a brand new Minneapolis restaurant that has created quite a bit of buzz. Spoon and Stable opened Nov. 16 in Minneapolis' North Loop neighborhood. This week, Mike tries Nancy's Cosmo from Spoon and Stable.

Nancy's Cosmo (winter 2014 version)
1 oz. cranberry cordial (recipe below)
1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
1/2 oz. Pierre Ferrand dry curaçao
2 oz. North Shore Sol

Combine ingredients with ice and shake. Strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with flamed orange disc.

To make the cranberry cordial:

1 cup frozen cranberries
1 tsp. fresh ginger
1 sprig thyme
1 half cinnamon stick
1 clove
1 orange peels and juice
1/4 cup lime juice
1 cup sugar

Combine all ingredients in saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and rest in refrigerator. Strain and use.

Taste Test
Long derided by "manly men," the Cosmopolitan shares DNA with a good family, including classics like the Sidecar, Margarita, and (next week's Mike's Mix) the Crusta. All of these belong to a class of drink called a daisy.

The ingredients for Nancy's Cosmo will change seasonally, and this season is all about warm winter spices. Hints of cinnamon, clove and ginger (in the house-made cranberry cordial) perk up this 90s favorite with a little smooth-sipping depth.

Spoon & Stable Online:
http://www.spoonandstable.com/