How do I access Request.cookies in an ASP.NET MVC controller?

I'm trying to get a user ID stored in cookies via a common Controller file, which I can access throughout the site.

I have created FunctionsController as a controller, with content as follows:

public static int loggedinUser()
{
    return Convert.ToInt32(  request.Cookies["userid"].Value);
}

I am unable to request any cookie items even if I tried with:

HttpRequestBase request = controllerContext.HttpContext.Request;