A Hungry Bear

I’m not sure this is a metropolitan exactly. But the name of this cocktail isn’t important at all if you’re going to make it yourself. If you want to order it from a bartender who actually knows what they’re doing, you might want to just ask for a “cosmopolitan made with citrus vodka.” This confusion - and love for a drink that may or may not be named metropolitan - started when I ordered a cosmo from our local favorite, Murphy’s. The bartender offered to make a variation on it that he swore would be better - and it was. He called it a metropolitan, so who am I to question him? Like a cosmo, it’s potent but easy to drink, so be careful!

Cast of characters: citrus vodka (I prefer Stoli Oranj), lime, cranberry juice, simple syrup.

As with any martini, chilling the glass first is key. Fill it with ice water while you’re making the drink. In a cocktail shaker filled with crushed ice, add 2 ounces of vodka.

Then one tablespoon of simple syrup…

…and the juice of half a lime.

Add one ounce of cranberry juice, then shake gently.

Strain into the chilled martini glass and garnish with a slice of orange.