Looking at buying a bottle of Cointreau, or simply wondering what it is? This top-quality orange liqueur is a must in every home bartender’s stash. Not only is it the key ingredient in the Classic Margarita, it stars in a long list of classic and modern cocktails. Here’s more about it, what it tastes like, and how to use this citrusy French liqueur.
What is Cointreau?
Cointreau is a clear, orange-flavored liqueur with a lightly sweet, citrus perfume flavor. It is a type of triple sec liquor, which means “triple dry” in French. The first bottles were sold in 1885 after the recipe was perfected by Edouard Cointreau and his family business, Cointreau Distillery. The business was family owned until until 1990, when it merged with French company Rémy Martin to form Rémy Cointreau. How do you say Cointreau? Say KWAN-troh.
What does Cointreau taste like?
Cointreau tastes balanced between bitter orange and sweet, with warm spices that add complexity on the finish. It has a fragrant aroma and a clean finish. Are there any Cointreau substitutes? Look for the real thing if at all possible. If it’s not available, go for Grand Marnier (a French orange liqueur made with brandy), Triple Sec, Orange Curaçao, or any other type of orange liqueur. Read more about the differences: Cointreau vs Triple Sec and Cointreau vs Grand Marnier
Why we like it
Cointreau is a classic orange liqueur that’s part of the standard lexicon of cocktails, most importantly two classic sours, the Margarita and Sidecar. The clean, orange perfume flavor is second to none. It’s a must in any liquor collection!
How much does it cost?
Compared to other liquors, Cointreau is mid-priced. A 375 ml bottle costs around $20 to $25, and a 750 ml bottle costs around $30 to 35. Cointreau is typically used in small amounts, around 1 ounce per drink, so a bottle will last you quite a while.
Most popular Cointreau cocktails
You can drink Cointreau straight as a shot or an aperitif. It’s also included in many classic cocktails.
Don’t want to follow a recipe? Drink it as a shot, or mix a bit into soda water as a make-shift spritzer. It’s also great with champagne or Prosecco. Want a cocktail? Try it in one of these popular Cointreau cocktails:
More cocktails
This spirit is also featured in the following drinks: Invented in: 1918 Invented in: 1930’s Invented in: 1930’s or 1970’s Invented in: 1920’s
Between the SheetsCorpse ReviverLong Island Iced TeaMai TaiMargaritas: Beer Margarita, Blood Orange Margarita, Cadillac Margarita, Cranberry Margarita, Jalapeño Margarita, Mango Margarita, Mezcal Margarita, Peach Margarita, Pineapple Margarita, Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita, Pomegranate Margarita, Strawberry MargaritaMartinis: Blood Orange Martini, Cranberry Martini, Mexican Martini, Pomegranate Martini, Watermelon MartiniPoinsettiaRum & Cranberry CocktailSangria: Red Sangria, Strawberry SangriaSidecars: Bourbon Sidecar or Vodka SidecarSingapore SlingVodka Sour
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