Orange Cointro liqueur is one of the most famous and popular alcoholic beverages in the world. It has been produced in France since 1875. The recipe was invented by the son of one of the Cointreau brothers, who created a distillery in 1849 to provide confectioners with quality alcoholic ingredients. After 10 years, the recipe and the shape of the bottle under it were patented. Since then, the drink has won more than 300 awards and gained fans all over the world. However, for many people acquaintance with this masterpiece is just beginning, and the actual question for them is how to drink Cointreau correctly in order to get maximum pleasure from using it.
Beverage Characteristics
People far from the world of alcohol, do not hurt to know what constitutes Cointreau, then the anticipation of meeting with him will be part of a pleasant story, and familiarity with this drink will not disappoint.
Cointreau liqueur is made from beet distillate infused on a peel of bitter and sweet oranges, taken in a special proportion. The strength of the drink is 40%, which distinguishes it from many other liqueurs.
Contrary to the expectations of people who got the Cointreau bottle for the first time, the orange liqueur turns out to be transparent. However, when adding ice, it acquires an opal color. This happens due to the presence in the composition of the drink a large number of natural esters. If, when in contact with ice, “Cointreau” did not turn white, you have a fake that does not deserve respect.
On sale can be found and dark “Cointreau” - a mixture of orange liqueur with brandy. The drink began to be released relatively recently, after the merger of Cointreau & Cie SA with Remy Martin.
Usage Features
“Cointreau” is a unique drink, but its use is subject to the same requirements as tasting other liqueurs, with only a few additions, due to the specific characteristics of Cointreau.
- Cointreau can be drunk neat or diluted. The latter option is preferable, since in its pure form the drink is a bit strong. To dilute orange liqueur, citrus fruits (grapefruit, orange) are best suited. No less pleasant taste is obtained by diluting liquor with carbonated drinks (soda, tonic). Many connoisseurs of Cointreau prefer to dilute it with ice cubes.
- The optimal temperature for drinking is 4-6 degrees. You can cool it in the main chamber of the refrigerator. It is at this temperature that the liquor has the richest and delicate aroma, soft and pleasant taste.
- “Cointreau” can be served as an aperitif or digestif. Offering it for dinner is not worth it: it will be a violation of etiquette.
- When used in its pure form, Cointreau liqueur is poured into liqueur glasses or served in a cognac glass. The latter option is considered more successful if the liquor is diluted with ice cubes, as well as when it comes to the dark “Cointreau”.
Popular Cointreau-based liqueurs are served depending on their type in shots, cocktail glasses or glasses.
What to eat “Cointreau”
Orange liqueur is considered a dessert drink, and it is customary to offer sweet dishes to it as a snack:
- fruits and berries;
- chocolate;
- fruit salads;
- cakes.
It will not be a violation of etiquette to offer cheese cutting to “Cointreau”. Cointrels based on “Cointreau” snacks with the same products. You can serve them altogether without snacks.
Cocktail “B-52”
Composition:
- coffee liqueur - 20 ml;
- Cointreau liqueur - 20 ml;
- cream liqueur - 20 ml.
Method of preparation:
- Pour coffee liqueur into a stack for making shots (layered cocktails).
- Be careful not to mix the layers, pour in the cream liqueur. Bartenders stack it with a special spoon.
- Lay the Cointreau on top just as carefully.
Drink cocktail through a straw, starting from the bottom layer. Some prefer to drink it in one gulp.
Cosmopolitan Cocktail
Composition:
- vodka - 50 ml;
- Cointreau liqueur - 20 ml;
- cranberry juice - 30 ml;
- lime - 0, 5 pcs .;
- orange - 1 slice;
- ice - 0, 2 kg.
Method of preparation:
- Squeeze juice out of half lime. Add to it cranberry juice, liqueur and vodka. Stir with a bar spoon for 20-30 seconds.
- Fill a cocktail glass with ice and pour the prepared mixture into it.
- Garnish with an orange slice.
Some add 1-2 slices of lime to a glass with ice, this is not considered a violation. Cocktail gained fame thanks to the singer Madonna, who admitted that she was not indifferent to this drink.
Cocktail White Cosmopolitan
Composition:
- vodka - 30 ml;
- orange liqueur - 15 ml;
- lemon juice - 15 ml;
- ice cubes - to taste.
Method of preparation:
- Fill a wide glass with ice cubes.
- In a separate container, mix the drinks.
- Pour the cocktail into a glass with ice.
This cocktail is a more democratic version of the popular Cosmopolitan. He concedes to him in refinement, but the taste is pleasant, easy to drink.
Cointail “Cointropolitan”
Composition:
- Cointreau liqueur - 50 ml;
- lemon juice - 25 ml;
- cranberry juice - 25 ml;
- lemon peel (in the form of a spiral) - 1 pc.
Method of preparation:
- Beverages are drained into the shaker's container, shake.
- Pour into a cocktail glass.
- Decorate with spiral of zest.
Despite its ease of preparation, the cocktail has an exquisite taste. This variation of “Cosmopolitan” was invented by the producers of orange liqueur themselves, and Dita Von Teese was involved in its advertising.
Cocktail “White Lady”
Composition:
- gin - 50 ml;
- Cointreau liqueur - 30 ml;
- lemon juice - 20 ml;
- ice - 0, 2 kg;
- a spiral from an orange dried peel - 1 piece.
Method of preparation:
- Mix the drinks in a shaker with ice.
- Strain.
- Pour into a pre-chilled cocktail glass.
- Decorate with orange peel.
This cocktail has been known since 1930 and has not lost its popularity.
Cointreau has an orange flavor and exudes the alluring aroma of citrus fruits. Despite the fact that the drink is quite strong, many people like to drink it in pure form or diluted with a single ice. Liquor is also a part of many popular cocktails.
