Want to be the host with the most this festive season? As well as your usual contenders – tunes from your Best of 2022 playlist, nibbles and swirly candles – make revamping your drinks offering a top priority. First stop? Cocktails, obviously (let’s admit that the vibe of a party is instantly elevated the second you go one step further than just popping a bottle). And the winning ingredient? Cointreau L’Unique.
Yes, we’ll be mixing all tipples with the stuff – unsurprisingly, as Cointreau is a staple of any drinks cart, already at the heart of over 500 cocktails. Plus, the bottle has recently undergone an elegant design revamp so it not only tastes but looks good. For the first time, the bottle celebrates the iconic liqueur’s use of oranges and, as Cointreau’s Master Distiller Carole Quinton explains, the label also pays tribute to the brand’s French roots and original distillery in the engraving.
With this in mind, if you’re looking for party-pleasing twists on your cocktail favourites, you’ve come to the right place. We picked up three easy-to-make recipes featuring the heritage liqueur at the recent Maison Cointreau event in London’s buzzy Soho. The order in which the fun should be consumed? According to Global Brand Ambassador Kevin Suero: “Start with a welcoming Cherry Cosmo: a sweet note to set the tone of the night. When the time has come to celebrate, raise a glass of Cointreau Royale. And when the party is hitting hard, enjoy a Christmas Margarita.” Shake and sip.
Now, what would the festive season be without an irresistibly Instagrammable drink to grace all your photos? With sweet and sour cherry notes, we’re onto a winner with this blush pink update on the iconic cocktail.
As Kevin says: “If you love fruity drinks or sweet and easy cocktails, go for the Cosmo.” For the perfect canapé to match, he recommends something fresh, like ceviche. “Counterbalance the sweetness of the drink with a sour touch.” Mouthwatering.
Ingredients
20ml Cointreau
30ml The Botanist gin
10ml fresh lemon juice
15ml fresh orange juice
5ml cherry syrup
Method
1. Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
2. Shake and strain into a rocks glass with ice.
3. Garnish with orange peel (or frozen cherry) et voilà!
Simple, foolproof and so luxurious. Have an elegant cocktail on your hands in less than 30 seconds with a splash of Cointreau in your champagne glass. This is one for celebrating and will take the day (or night) from ordinary to extraordinary.
Elevate any soirée with this fancy food pairing tip from Kevin: “It’s the drink that comes with dessert. Bubbles are always a flavour enhancer.” We don’t need another excuse to hit the pudding aisle!
Ingredients
30ml Cointreau
90ml champagne (or prosecco)
Method
1. Pour Cointreau into a chilled champagne flute.
2. Top up with champagne.
3. Garnish with orange peel and enjoy!
It may be freezing outside but here’s one way to bring back the sun and feel like you’re on holiday. A festive twist on a classic party favourite, this Christmas Margarita is the perfect combination of the sweetness of the Cointreau, the tartness of the lime and the earthy spiced cinnamon and sugar rim. Heaven in a glass.
Ingredients
30ml Cointreau
50ml blanco tequila
20ml fresh lime juice
6 drops aromatic bitters
Cinnamon and sugar (for the rim)
Sprig of rosemary to garnish
Method
1. Rub lime around the rim of a coupe glass.
2. Dip the glass into your cinnamon and sugar – swirl to ensure evenly coated.
3. Combine Cointreau, tequila and fresh lime juice in a cocktail shaker and add ice.
4. Shake and strain into the glass.
5. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.
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