The first reference to a Cosmopolitan Cocktail appeared in the 1934 book, Pioneers of Mixing at Elite Bars: 1903-1933. The modern version of the drink shot to fame as the lead character's favorite cocktail in the TV show Sex & The City.

In the 1970's this beverage was already well-known. One probable drink maker is bartender Neal Murray. He was meant to add some cranberry juice to Kamikaze in 1975 and when the customer was happy with the results, the new drink became a permanent fixture on the drinks scene. Another account claims that Cheryl Cook, a Florida-born bartender who sought to make flavorful, energizing and potent drinks for her customers, was the creator of the well-known Cosmopolitan. Toby Cecchini is the third bartender that could lay claim to the invention of the Cosmo, as he was employed at the New York pub The Odean which was frequented by celebrities like Madonna.