Perhaps few bottles of liqueur are as synonymous with the type of spirit they represent as Cointreau is. The square tawny bottle is found on almost every bar, and is the top shelf orange liqueur mixer for most establishments. With good reason, Cointreau is a key ingredient in drinks including the Cosmopolitan, the Sidecar, and the Margarita. So what makes it so special, and why is it worth the upcharge over Triple Sec?
Cointreau
Sight: Clear.
Smell: There’s a natural and fresh almost clementine-orange smell that leads off. A mix of zest and fruit is in the nose, with a just a hint of pithy bitterness.
Sip: A beautiful, complex orange leads off with notes ranging from candied orange peels to fresh tangerine segments. The orange is well complimented by a subtle, balanced sweetness. There’s a hint of heat, but nothing distracting.
Savor: The ending is a delicate mix of tropical oranges with just a hint of bitter pith.
Cointreau is simple, clean, and straightforward in it’s delivery of orange liqueur flavors. The sweetness is balanced, the alcohol is moderated, and the flavors are direct and enjoyable. It’s nice enough that it even works on its own, and can be served as a cordial. [If you can find dark chocolate shot glasses, we highly recommend trying Cointreau or Gran Marnier in them].
In Cocktails
The beauty of Cointreau is the balance that it achieves in a cocktail. It manages to simultaneously be present and providing orange flavor, while not throwing unnecessary additional flavors. A result that’s easy to see in a margarita. Some citrus beyond lime is clearly present, but not in a distracting way. The sweetness also doesn’t unbalance the drink or obscure the tequila. This is true in both a Cosmo and a Sidecar. Further, unlike some other curacaos and triple secs, there’s no additional chemical or artificial taste present.
In Review – Cointreau
Cointreau is an elegant orange liqueur that does its job admirably. While the price is higher than some competitors, the flavors are cleaner and more direct. For this reason, Cointreau is the orange liqueur we recommend for your bar. Due to the number of drinks it compliments, we recommend it for when you’re starting your bar as well.
