Ocean Spray, producer of cranberry juices, juice drinks and dried cranberries, has today unveiled a collection of new Cosmopolitan serves ahead of National Cosmopolitan Day (7 May), reimagining the iconic cocktail for modern tastes.
Created in partnership with mixologist Ed To and Table Manners podcaster Lennie Ware, the new serves – The Cosmo Hold Up and Cosmo Berry Blush – have been developed because of the enduring resurgence of “newstalgia” in culture, which has seen the blending of familiar, comforting and nostalgic flavours with modern twists, ingredients and formats in the cocktail scene.
The reinventions also come as consumers confirm they are seeking out modern twists, according to new research from Ocean Spray. Almost four in 10 (38 per cent) UK consumers say that they enjoy trying modern twists on classic cocktails, with around half (43 per cent) agreeing that more classic cocktails should be brought back into fashion. Similarly, 42 per cent would like to see more bars, pubs and restaurants offering classic cocktails or a modern twist on them on their menus.
As the creator of one of the Cosmopolitan’s original and defining ingredients – cranberry juice – Ocean Spray is perfectly positioned to breathe new life into the much-loved serve, championing its versatility across both alcoholic and non-alcoholic occasions.
The new recipes include a reworked classic short serve, plus a longer, more refreshing variation, as well as a mocktail option of each, designed to appeal to a wide range of drinking preferences.
Zoe Trimble, Marketing Director at Ocean Spray said: “We know the Cosmopolitan holds a special place in culture and epitomises the current trend for newstalgia, so it felt like the perfect moment to reimagine the iconic cocktail for today’s drinkers.
First popularised in the 1990s – thanks in part to its association with Sex and the City – the Cosmopolitan has long been a symbol of style and sophistication, having been first mentioned back in 1927. Today, with renewed interest in nostalgic culture and a growing appetite for elevated classics, with a variety of alcoholic strength options, Ocean Spray believed now was the time to reintroduce the cocktail to a new generation.