Cointreau – French Orange Liqueur
Do you like Cointreau? Is the French orange flavoured triple-sec liqueur something that you know much about? Created during the Belle Époque era and sold in easily recognisable square bottles, it represents the heady days of glamorous fashion, new elegant building styles and lavish entertaining.
Created and perfected by Édouard Cointreau in 1875, the orange liqueur is now known worldwide and loved by millions.
I didn’t know that Cointreau is not the only successful product to be created by the House of Cointreau. The French family business, based in St-Barthélemy-d’Anjou near the Loire River, specialised in confectionary first. It was only when Adolphe Cointreau wanted to diversify their business, that he turned to alcohol production and created the cherry liquor Guignolet.
This was such a success that his brother, Édouard Cointreau, decided to create another liqueur. This time he based his drink on oranges and after lots of experimentation and research, he succeeded in creating Cointreau, which took on the family name.
Since 1875 the drink has won more than 300 international awards and is found in most bars around the world. It is used in the well-known cocktails, Cosmopolitan, Margarita and Sidecar. Cointreau is drunk either neat or over ice as an apéritif or in cocktails.
Keeping the recipe and production methods a secret is very important to the family so that no-one can copy their drink. In fact, if you visit the facility, all photography is prohibited. I love the idea of secrecy and mystery, don’t you?
Next time you visit a bar or restaurant and order a Cointreau or Sidecar, I’m sure you’ll now raise a silent toast to Édouard and his delicious orange creation – Cointreau, French Orange Liqueur!
