We describe liquid crystal metamaterials (LCMMs), representing a composite of a uniaxial nematic liquid crystal as a dispersion medium and solid (metal) nanorods as a dispersed component. The purpose of the metal component is to vary the effective refractive indices and the resulting birefringence. By spatially distorting the optic axis of LCMMs or controlling concentration of the metallic component, one can design different trajectories of light as illustrated analytically for cylindrical samples of LCMMs.