However, you can substitute one for the other in a pinch—just make sure to use slightly more Cointreau than is called for if you’re substituting for Grand Marnier… Grand Marnier is much heavier, which can throw off a lighter style cocktail like a Corpse Reviver #2 or Cosmopolitan. Grand Marnier will bring weight and oaky sweetness. The drink was first released in 1875, and is made using a mix of sweet and bitter orange peels and sugar beet alcohol. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. discussion from the Chowhound Home Cooking, Cognac food community. These cookies do not store any personal information. Their sweetness and flavor profile also differ slightly and can produce different results in cocktails. Cointreau is made in Saint-Barthélemy-d’Anjou – about three and a half hours south-west of Paris, in the Pays de la Loire region; And originated in the late 1800’s: . If you’re substituting Grand Marnier for Cointreau, consider reducing the other sweeteners in the drink slightly to account for its added sweetness and weight. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Thanks! Made with tropical oranges that were planted by the Spanish, quality Curaçaos are typically sweeter than other orange liqueurs. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The liqueur is traditionally rum-based, but modern iterations are also made with distilled grain spirits. Grand Marnier will bring weight and oaky sweetness. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Cointreau is one of the best-known brands of the triple sec style of orange liqueur. Grand Marnier also seems to have a … Here's a list of bottles to seek out. (We won't share it or use it for anything except replying to your question.). It is used in classic French desserts, such as crêpes suzette and bûche de Noël (Yule log). We’ll also send you useful bar tips & (very) occasional offers. This will add the weight and sweetness that your recipe would otherwise be getting from the Grand Marnier. Now what? Cointreau starts as a 96% ABV sugar beet alcohol, which is added to the still along with a mixture of bitter and sweet oranges from Brazil, Africa and Spain. We believe great bartending is about hospitality and caring about your craft. Grand Marnier is an orange liqueur in the curaçao tradition, and Cointreau is a triple sec. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. A drier style of orange liqueur, triple sec hails from France, but the origin of the drink’s name beyond that is disputed. As a result it is considered to be of the curaçao style – named after the origin of one type of bitter orange. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. They appear in classic cocktails like the Margarita and Sidecar, not to mention Long Island Iced Teas and Cosmopolitans. We’re here to help our industry learn and grow through sharing what we learn and creating great craft bar tools. In fact, Grand Marnier was actually originally named “Curaçao Marnier”, as it was just one part of a large range of flavored liqueurs. Unsubscribe anytime! Here’s a breakdown of the different styles of orange liqueur, and commonly used popular brands. Web-based intensive cocktail design training. Do you have to make any adjustments to the recipe? The mixture is left overnight before being distilled twice. Most triple sec is 60 proof; Cointreau and Combier Original are 80 proof. by Julia Tunstall | Jul 23, 2018 | History of People and Products | 11 comments. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Unlke Cointreau, Grand Marnier is made with cognac and bitter oranges. Orange liqueurs are vital to any well-stocked bar. It is used in classic French desserts, such … Or vice-versa. It's called a "Cadillac Margarita" when it is made with Grand Marnier, given that GM is considered to be top shelf. (Source). (For both of our sakes, please don’t ask me to pronounce any of the above.). Can you substitute Cointreau for Grand Marnier? On the other hand, Grand Marnier tastes sweeter and heavier – even though it actually has fewer carbohydrates per ounce. Cointreau has a crisp, smooth, orange flavor. By continuing to use this website, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to the updated privacy policy. If you do need to substitute Cointreau for Grand Marnier, consider using slightly more Cointreau (not a lot – maybe an additional 1/8oz per oz). Cointreau has a cleaner orange flavour but Grand Marnier … Grand Marnier is made with cognac and Cointreau is made with a clear alcohol (distilled from sugar beet). It also brings the flavors you’d expect in a liqueur made with a barrel-aged spirit: vanilla and an oaky sweetness. Cointreau will make the drink lighter and brighter, with a stronger citrus aroma. Curaçao is generally agreed to be the original orange liqueur.