Enjoy modern classic with these Cointreau cocktails

Cointreau, the iconic French orange liqueur that’s at the heart of hundreds of cocktails, now boasts an elegant new look and a sustainable focus.

The updated bottle still has that iconic square shape but now the label champions the brand’s distillery and the oranges that sit at the very heart of Cointreau.

Convenience and practicality are also to the fore, with a slight increase in the height of the bottle – to make it easier to hold – and a textured cap, reminiscent of the skin of an orange, which provides better grip for an easier twist-off.

The new bottle is made of two-thirds recycled glass, an indication of the brand’s dedication to sustainability behind the scenes. Cointreau is collaborating with two international public institutes on research programmes around the preservation of the sweet and bitter orange trees. Today, 64 per cent of orange tree crops grown for the house of Cointreau are Global G.A.P or Rainforest Alliance certified. The brand has also reduced water consumption by 45 per cent and by opting for renewable energy Cointreau has reduced CO2 emissions in its bottling and distillation operations by almost 90 per cent.

For decades, a bottle of Cointreau has been a drinks cabinet essential – not least because it can be used in over 500 cocktail recipes. While it works beautifully in the most elaborate of concoctions sometimes simplicity is best, allowing the quality of ingredients to speak for itself.

One of the world’s most iconic drinks – the margarita – is the perfect example of this and Cointreau has been an essential part of its story since the very beginning.

Invented in 1948 by Margaret Sames, a Dallas socialite, the true margarita has just three ingredients: Cointreau, tequila, and lime and the original recipe, below, is still used and loved today, over 70 years later. Why not give it a try yourself this festive season?

Cointreau margarita

Ingredients

• 30ml Cointreau L’Unique
• 50ml Blanco Tequila
• 20ml fresh lime juice

Method

1. Make a salt rim on your glass.
2. Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
3. Shake vigorously until well chilled.
4. Strain into a margarita glass.

Shake it up

Check out these twists on the classic margarita – they’re perfect for a festive cocktail party.

Snowflake margarita

Fresh passion fruit balances aromatic cinnamon in this heartwarming cocktail.

Ingredients

• 30ml Cointreau L’Unique
• 50ml tequila
• 20ml fresh passion fruit
• 5ml cinnamon syrup

Method

1. Rim the glass with some regular salt.
2. Combine all ingredients in a shaker and add ice.
3. Shake until well chilled.
4. Strain into a coupette glass.
5. Garnish with an orange twist.

Fireplace margarita

A warming blend of Cointreau and mezcal makes this a perfect winter tipple.

Ingredients

• 20ml Cointreau
• 40ml mezcal
• 10ml jasmine
• 30ml tangerine
• 15ml lime

Method

1. Make a salt rim on your glass.
2. Combine all ingredients in a shaker.
3. Add ice and shake until well-chilled.
4. Strain into your glass, garnish and serve.

Enjoy Cointreau sensibly. For more festive cocktail ideas see cointreau.com

Brought to you in partnership with Cointreau