Q: How do you make a cosmopolitan cocktail?

A: Recipes vary, but aside from the different brand names involved, the basic formula is:

• 1 oz. vodka
• 1/2 oz. triple sec
• 1/4 oz. lime juice
• 1/4 oz. cranberry juice
• Shake with ice in a cocktail shaker and strain into a cocktail glass
• Garnish with lime or lemon wedge or twist

This makes a pretty strong drink, considering that three quarters of it is alcohol. It is delicious, especially if you start with ice cold vodka, but it was a little unpalatable to the wife. After some experimenting I came up with the following modification. We call it a cosmo fizz. I have seen a few other "cosmo fizz" recipes out there but they all use sparkling wine for the fizz. In addition to the above, add:

• 1/4 oz. pomegranate juice
• 1/2 oz. lime flavored sparkling water (note: do not use sweetened sparkling water, that stuff is gross. The brand we use is La Croix)

We have pretty large cocktail glasses, so this amount waters down the alcohol just enough for the lightweights among us.