Cointreau is a producer of Triple Sec, a type of [ingredient=orange-liqueur orange liqueur]. The history of Cointreau dates back to 1875, when Edouard Cointreau, son of a distillery owner in Angers, France, first distilled a clear spirit based on the maceration of dried bitter and sweet orange peels.
While Cointreau was not the first Triple Sec to be distilled, it is certainly the most popular, even though the words Triple Sec were dropped from the label years ago.
The Cointreau brand was bought in 1989 by Remy Martin, a producer of [ingredient=cognac Cognac].
Cointreau is a clear, orange scented and flavored spirit that is 80 proof. It louches a bare opalescent white with the addition of water. Cointreau has a very pure, delicate flavor. Thhe orange peels that make up Cointreau are from Spain, Brazil, Haiti, and Ghana.
In 2008, Cointreau Noir was introduced, which is made with a base of Remy Martin Cognac instead of a neutral spirit base. It also is flavored with vanilla and nuts, and, like the original Cointreau, is 80 proof.
Some popular cocktails containing Cointreau
- Paraiso — Blanco tequila, Campari, Triple sec, Strawberry shrub, Lemon juice
- Christmas in a Glass — Rum, Pomegranate Liqueur, Triple sec, Cranberry juice, Simple syrup, Orange, Cranberry
- Eucalyptus Martini — Gin, Triple sec, Simple syrup, Lime juice, Egg white
- Whispering Pines — Gin, Triple sec, Bitters, Lemon juice, Simple syrup, Egg white
- Golden Dream (Sam Ross) — Triple sec, Galliano, Orange juice, Cream
- Cointreau Teese — Triple sec, Crème de Violette, Apple juice, Lemon juice
- Gun Club Shrub — Gold rum, Triple sec, Pineapple juice, Orange oleo-saccharum, White balsamic vinegar
- Pea Flower Cocktail — Gin, Orange liqueur, Bianco Vermouth, Maraschino Liqueur, Tea
- Cosmopolitan Milk Punch — Vodka, Tawny port, Triple sec, Tonic water, Cranberry juice, Milk, Lime juice, Sugar, Star anise, Bay leaf, Clove, Pomegranate molasses, Orange peel, Grapefruit peel, Cardamom
- Bloody Sidecar — Gin, Triple sec, Pomegranate juice
