Cointreau

Cointreau is a clear, 40% ABV orange liqueur made in Angers, France, from sweet and bitter orange peel. Emerging from the distillery founded in 1849 by brothers Adolphe and Édouard-Jean Cointreau, the liqueur's first bottles went on sale in 1875. The brand is today part of the Rémy Cointreau group.

How is Cointreau made?

The liqueur's foundation is a combination of dried sweet and bitter orange peel with fresh sweet orange peel. The essences of these peels are completed with just three components: pure water, sugar and neutral alcohol. According to the producer, no artificial aroma is added, and the liqueur is still made in Angers using the traditional distillation methods laid down by Édouard Cointreau.

What does Cointreau taste like?

The producer speaks of more than 40 aroma notes arising from the complex combination of orange peel essences: vivid, fresh, floral and sweet. On the palate there is an immediate freshness, yet the taste lingers for a long time; its intense orange character is balanced by fine nuances. When mixed with water, the clear liqueur turns cloudy due to its high orange essence content.

How is it served?

It is a component of more than 500 cocktails, most notably the Margarita, Cosmopolitan and Sidecar. It can also be drunk neat with ice or lengthened with tonic.

What desserts does it pair with?

Orange and chocolate is a classic pairing; it works well with bitter chocolate desserts, orange cakes and fruity desserts such as crêpes.