Men Are From Mezcal, Women Are From Vodka- A Low Carb Cosmopolitan Two Ways

Two low carb cosmos on a tray.

A low carb inspired, authentic cosmopolitan style cocktail that’s made two ways – one with vodka and one with a smokey mezcal tequila. Enjoy both versions and find the one that fits your taste best.

Another month and another Bon Appeteach “Book Club” for 2020’s self-help book series. If you’re new around here, this “book club” is one where we never actually read the books but I make a cocktail inspired by one each month.

This month’s cocktail is inspired by the book, Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus by John Gray. I have no desire to read this book, but I had every desire to make a fun play on words with a two way cocktail. I chose to do a fun low carb riff on a classic cosmopolitan (one I’ve already made) and one using a Mezcal tequila.

A girl holding a cosmopolitan cocktail.

I felt this cocktail in particular was fitting because I think in general, it gets a bad rap. The Cosmo was made popular from Sex and the City, but it has a label of being a “feminine” drink, but I find it to be anything but. Regardless of what gender role you assign to this pink drink, both versions are in no doubt absolutely delicious.

Check out the classic version here and check out the mezcal version below. Be sure to watch me make it both ways in the video as well. Cheers!

“School” Supplies:

  • .25 oz REAL Cranberry Juice (not cocktail)
  • .50 oz. Lime Juice, Fresh
  • 1 oz. Cointreau
  • 2 oz Vodka or Mezcal
  • 1 oz. Keto Simple Syrup (Vodka Version Only)
  • Splash of Cherry Liquor (optional)

“Class” Notes:

Shaken, Not Stirred-

Whether you go with the classic version of this drink (vodka) or desire a smokier counterpart (made with the Mezcal), both require one major component to making this actually taste delicious. That is with real cranberry juice.

Top view of two cosmo cocktails on a metal tray.

While you may be tempted to go for the cranberry cocktail mix, don’t! Not only is it going to be higher carbs, but it requires you to use more and doesn’t provide as rich or in-depth flavor profile. I find 100% real cranberry juice from Trader Joe’s and it’s super concentrated. Because of this, I literally only need around a quarter of an ounce to do the job! The juice lasts a decent amount of time and I like to make these in a larger pitcher on occasion so it’s worth investing in the full jar!

A close up view of the traditional low carb cosmopolitan in a coupe glass with a lime wheel garnish.

While I like a slightly sweeter cosmo for the original version (I use this keto simple syrup but if you don’t mind the carbs use a standard simple), sweetener is NOT needed in the mezcal version.

Whichever version you go with, shake it in a cocktail shaker until chilled. Use a strainer to stain into a glass. I choose a classic coupe glass for the traditional version and a rocks glass with a large ice cube for the smokier version. Both are bright, pink, and packed with some serious delicious flavor.

Close up of the mezcal cosmopolitan cocktail in a rocks glass.

A cosmo needs a lime garnish! I use a traditional lime wheel for the coupe glass and I made a layered lime wheel rose for the rocks glass. Just a fun way to differentiate the two. Have fun and try one of these cocktail rose garnish ideas too!

Get the traditional cosmo recipe here, and grab the Men are from Mezcal version below! Don’t forget to watch the video of how these two go head to head in my monthly “book club” video!

Did you make this cocktail? Leave a rating, a comment, or share a picture with me over in Instagram!

Bon Appeteach,

-L

Two low carb cosmos on a tray.

Men Are From Mezcal, Women Are From Vodka- A Low Carb Cosmopolitan Two Ways

Learn how to make a cosmo cocktail two ways.
Print Pin Rate
Course: “Book” Club
Cuisine: American
Keyword: A low carb cosmopolitan two ways
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
Calories: 223kcal
Author: Bon Appeteach

Ingredients

  • 2 oz. Mezcal OR Vodka
  • 1 oz. Cointreau
  • .50 oz. Lime Juice
  • .25 oz. Real Cranberry Juice
  • 1 oz. Keto Simple Syrup Vodka Version ONLY Splash of Maraschino Liquor (optional)

Instructions

  • Combine the ingredients over ice into a cocktail shaker and shake until chilled.
  • Pour the traditional vodka version into a coupe glass with a lime wheel garnish and the mezcal version on the rocks in a rocks glass. Garnish with lime as well.

Notes

Use the splash of maraschino liquor to add a little more flavor and round it out!

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Sodium: 2mg | Sugar: 8g

Share Your Thoughts

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating