It’s Friday! Maybe you’re planning to go out for dinner or drinks with friends. If you do, you might run into someone who tells you to be “Cointreauversial.” He’ll say he pairs well with others but is intense enough on his own. He’ll dare you to chill him on ice, and when you taste him, he’ll be full of orange flavor.
This is Cointreau. It’s pronounced [kwan-troh], not [kontrø].
Now you know how to pronounce this popular liqueur. We visited Carré Cointreau, a place where you can learn all about this French liqueur with origins dating back 167 years in Angers, France.
A little history to impress your friends
Here’s a bit of background on this orange liqueur, often found in cocktails like the Cosmopolitan or Sidecar. The story begins with two brothers who originally weren’t spirit makers. They needed good fruit liqueur for their confectionery business, so they started making it themselves in 1849. They were successful, but it was Edouard Cointreau, their son, who, in 1875, created a crystal-clear liqueur from a mix of sweet and bitter orange peels.
Cointreau also made history by being one of the first companies to produce a cinema commercial in 1896, just three years after the Lumière brothers’ first films. Their commitment to innovation in marketing has continued since then, and their museum even showcases 200 fake bottles, with another 800 in storage.
Interesting facts for the bar
Unfortunately, the recipe for Cointreau remains a secret. It could be the combination of high-quality orange peels from various regions, both dried and fresh, which are macerated for weeks in alcohol to develop their unique aroma. Or it might be the antique copper stills used in the process, some of which date back more than a century and have been moved from the original distillery in Angers.
Did you know that Cointreau turns opalescent when chilled? This happens because the essential oils in the liqueur solidify at low temperatures.
Some drink recipes
Of course, no article about a liqueur would be complete without a few drink recipes. Here are some from Cointreau:
– Cointreau Cocktails
– Cointreau Fizz
– Cointreau Red Bubbles
– Margarita
– Cointreau Bubbles
– Cointreau Clip
– CointreauPolitan
Enjoy your night, and cheers!
suansuan