Grand Marnier was started nearly 200 years ago when a man named Jean Baptiste Lapostolle created a fruit liqueurs distillery in a small village outside of Paris, France called Neauphle-le-Château. His granddaughter married a wine merchant with the surname of Marnier, and that’s how this delicious liqueur got its name.
How to drink Grand Marnier? You can drink Grand Marnier straight up without ice or mixers, but Grand Marnier mixed drinks bring a whole new level of sophistication to the world of cocktails.
When it comes to sipping on a sophisticated, flavorful cocktail, Grand Marnier never disappoints. This exquisite French liqueur, featuring a delightful blend of cognac and distilled essence of bitter orange, has been elevating classic cocktails since its creation in 1880. As you explore the world of Grand Marnier cocktails, you’ll quickly find yourself enchanted by how one key ingredient can transform your ordinary drink into a magical experience.
Your journey into Grand Marnier cocktails will introduce you to an array of tantalizing flavors and enchanting presentations. From timeless classics like the elegant Sidecar to creative concoctions like the Grand Smash, these cocktails showcase the versatility and charm of Grand Marnier. Whether you’re looking to impress your guests at your next soirée or simply indulge in a moment of luxury, these drinks are sure to leave a lasting impression.
As you delve deeper into the artistry of crafting cocktails, you’ll find that many renowned mixologists consider Grand Marnier to be a staple ingredient in their repertoire. Its balance of refined sweetness and subtle bitterness makes it an ideal complement to various spirits, enhancing flavors while maintaining a harmonious and indulgent experience. So gather your mixology tools, stock up on your favorite mixers, and get ready to savor the magic of Grand Marnier cocktails.
Did you know that the Grand Marnier brand has five different products? The Grand Marnier collection includes Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge, Grand Marnier Louis Alexandre Marnier Lapostolle (the founder of the company), Grand Marnier Cuvee du Centenaire, Grand Manier Cuvee 1880, and Grand Marnier Cuvee Quintessence.
What’s the difference between the different types of Grand Marnier? The first difference you’ll notice is probably the price.
Otherwise, all of the Grand Marnier products have unique blends of exotic bitter orange liqueur and fine French cognacs.
Out of all of those products, the Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge is the one most of us are accustomed to seeing.
Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge is a vanilla-flavored cognac that has hints of candied orange zest. The bitter orange flavor is balanced by cognac that has notes of toffee and hazelnuts.
Ready to learn some amazing Grand Marnier drink recipes? Let’s dive in!
Perhaps one of the more sophisticated Grand Marnier recipes, a B52 is a layered cocktail that is to impress.
To make this sophisticated and impressive layered cocktail, you need Baileys Irish Cream, Kahlua (or other coffee liqueur), and Grand Marnier.
Be careful to pour the liqueurs in the correct order so that you get perfect layers. Kahlua comes first, then Baileys Irish Cream, then Grand Marnier floated on top.
Pour the liqueurs slowly over the back of a spoon so that you don’t muddle the layers.
Esquire Magazine held a special competition in the summer of 2007. Their aim? To create a cocktail that was perfect enough to be called “The Esquire Cocktail.”
The winner was a man named Phil Broadhead from Jackson, Mississippi.
The official Esquire cocktail has Grand Marnier, rye whiskey, fresh orange juice, fresh lemon juice, sweet grenadine, and a maraschino cherry for garnish.
The El Presidente was created in the 1920s, and it has aged rum or golden rum, blanc vermouth (you can use Lillet Blanc), Grand Marnier, and sweet grenadine.
Garnish your El Presidente cocktail with a luxardo cherry and an orange peel. You can also use a maraschino cherry.
The classic tequila sunrise is made with fresh orange juice, white tequila (silver tequila), sweet grenadine, and a maraschino cherry garnish.
When you add Grand Marnier to a classic tequila sunrise, you have the Grand Tequila Sunrise.
Put all of the ingredients into the cocktail shaker except the grenadine. Shake vigorously. Pour into a tall glass with ice cubes. Gently pour the grenadine on top.
La vie en rouge means “life in red” in French, and it’s the perfect name for this gorgeous Grand Marnier cocktail.
This Grand Marnier cocktail recipe is an excellent cocktail to serve at holiday gatherings.
To make la vie en rouge cocktail, you need Grand Manier or another orange brandy-based liqueur, cranberry juice, simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, and a fresh rosemary sprig for garnish.
Sangria is a wine cocktail (or punch) that you can make with either white wine or red wine.
Typically, sangria is infused with various types of fruits, and it tastes even more wonderful when it is allowed to sit for a while.
This recipe is a red wine sangria that uses apples, lime slices, lemon slices, tangerines, orange juice, and oranges. It’s made absolutely perfect with the addition of Grand Marnier.
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
