Eat, Drink, Detroit: MARTINI MONDAY

Whether it shaken or stirred. Who doesn't love a good martini? My all time favorite go to martini would be a Cosmopolitan or Cosmo for short. Remember HBO's hit "Sex and the City." It was the favorite drink of Carrie Bradshaw and her friends. It seemed that Carrie and her friends indulged in this libation almost every night. I started drinking Cosmopolitans during the "Sex and the City" era, and haven't stopped. It has become my drink of choice.

The Cosmopolitan dates back as far 1934, when it was made with gin instead of vodka, its other ingredients were the same used today. Today's Cosmopolitan is made with vodka, Cointreau, lime juice, cranberry juice and garnished with a lime or other citrus fruit. I prefer to use Ciroc Redberry Vodka in my Cosmopolitan.

I frequent many restaurants and bars in the metropolitan Detroit area. Many of these places make great Cosmopolitans, some are okay and some are just horrible. Here are some my favorite places in downtown Detroit, where I go to enjoy a good Cosmopolitan.

La Casa Cigar and Martin Lounge, 502 Randolph St. www.lacasadelahabana
24 Grille inside the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel, 204 Michigan Ave. www.24grille.com
The Detroit Seafood Market, 1535 Randolph St. www.thedetroitseafoodmarket.com

Here is my recipe for a delicious Cosmopolitan:

Ciroc Redberry Cosmopolitan Recipe

1.5 oz. Ciroc Redberry Vodka
.5 oz. Cointreau
.25oz. Fresh Lime Juice
1 oz. Cranberry Juice

Shake ingredients together with ice. Strain in a chilled glass. Garnish with lime.