Canchánchara vs. Cosmopolitan

The difference, by the numbers

Both have lime juice. Only the Canchánchara has Cuban aguardiente, honey and water; only the Cosmopolitan has citrus vodka, triple sec and cranberry juice. In parts, a Canchánchara is 4 aguardiente, 1 lime, 1 honey and 3½ water; a Cosmopolitan is 2¾ vodka, 1 triple sec, 1 lime and 2 cranberry. By volume, the Canchánchara is 43% spirit, 36% mixer and juice, 11% syrup and sugar and 10% citrus; the Cosmopolitan is 40% spirit, 30% mixer and juice, 15% liqueur and 15% citrus. That makes them close cousins on the ratio map.

The Cosmopolitan is the stronger drink in the glass (13.7% ABV against 12.7%), but the Canchánchara is the bigger drink, so it holds more alcohol (1.35 standard drinks against 1.24). The Canchánchara has more calories (about 201 against 158) and more sugar (17.8 g against 7.8 g). The Canchánchara is built and served in a rocks glass; the Cosmopolitan is shaken and served in a martini glass.