This is not your Desperate Housewives Cosmo. It’s a frothy, creamy, elegant, Cognac-based Cosmopolitan that takes its name from the sub-region of Cognac, France, considered to produce the highest quality grapes for the iconic brandy we know as Cognac: Grande Champagne.

Of note, this part of the Cognac region has nothing at all to do with the Champagne region that’s noted for its sparkling wines, which is located in chilly, rainy, north-central France. The Cognac region is about 400 miles away, in the much warmer southwest of France just above the Bordeaux region. For purposes of grape-growing, Cognac is divided into six “crus” of varying brandy-making reputations and geologic characteristics. The greatest of them by reputation (although not the largest) is Grande Champagne.

The Grande Champagne Cosmopolitan is a great cold-weather (and holiday!) cocktail, as the egg white in its recipe imparts a rich, creamy texture better suited to fireside chats than sunning on a beach. It earns the Cosmopolitan moniker by retaining the cranberry, orange liqueur, and citrus components.

About the egg white… If you haven’t already, read through this February 2022 Libation Lounge post. 

THE GRANDE CHAMPAGNE COSMOPOLITAN
2 oz Cognac VSOP
¾ oz Cognac-based orange liqueur (Bauchant, Grand Marnier, Cointreau, etc.)
½ oz Fresh lemon juice
1 oz Cranberry juice
1 oz Pasteurized egg white OR one raw egg white

Add all the ingredients to a shaker, without ice, and shake them vigorously for at least 30-60 seconds so the lemon juice and egg white work up a nice, foamy head. Then add ice and shake for another 30 seconds to chill the mixture well, and strain the mix into a cocktail coupe or Martini glass. A cocktail coupe, if you have one, will work best.

Let the cocktail sit for a minute to settle and create the foamy surface, then garnish with a twist of orange peel.