Toucan Cosmo

Toucan's Cosmo is a ready-style cosmopolitan-type liqueur made in Massachusetts. The name and category point to the cranberry-citrus profile of the classic Cosmopolitan, but the details supplied don't give a flavor description, ABV or ingredient list. Expect a tart-leaning red fruit character with citrus, softened by the sweetness liqueurs usually carry. Check the label for the exact proof and sweetness before you plan a recipe around it. Bottlings in this style tend to sit between a straight fruit liqueur and a finished cocktail. They have enough sugar to round off the cranberry's sharp edge, and the acidity usually keeps them from tasting syrupy. A liqueur like this works well as a modifier, since it brings fruit, color and a little sweetness in one pour. That makes it useful in drinks that would otherwise need a separate cranberry juice, an orange liqueur and a sweetener. The obvious use is a Cosmopolitan-style drink. Shake it with vodka and a squeeze of fresh lime, strain it into a chilled coupe or martini glass, and finish with an orange peel. Start with a small measure of liqueur, then taste and adjust, because the sweetness will vary from bottle to bottle. It also works in a Cape Codder or Sea Breeze variation, built over ice in a highball with vodka, soda or grapefruit juice, and a wedge of lime. Added in small amounts to sparkling wine, it makes a pink-tinted spritz that doesn't need much else. If you want to try it on its own, serve it well chilled, either straight from the refrigerator or freezer, or over a few large ice cubes in a rocks glass with a twist of orange or lime. Topping it with soda water stretches the sweetness and gives a lighter long drink. Because the profile leans tart and fruity, it goes well with salty or rich foods such as soft cheeses, charcuterie, and roasted poultry with a fruit-based sauce. It is also good at holiday tables where cranberry is already on the menu.