A Rich & Intense Taste Journey (Cointreau)

Member Name: vinodgm

Product:	Cointreau
Date:	16/11/01 (377 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Exquisite taste, Versatile as can be used in many cocktails

Disadvantages: As with all alchol should be taken in moderation

Cointreau provides you with a rich and intense taste journey wether served neat, on ice or in cocktails.

In 1849, in Angers, France, confectioner Adolphe Cointreau and his brother, Edouard-Jean created a brand new spirit from the fruits of the area. Immediate success led to the founding of the Cointreau distillery in Angers. Edouard-Jean's son, Edouard, had noticed that traditional opaque liqueurs in elaborate bottles were losing favour with the public. He envisaged creating a dramatically different spirit - a crystal-clear liqueur - based on a blend of sweet and bitter orange peels from the most exotic parts of the world.

The secret recipe of Cointreau has been passed on generation to generation in the family.
Since its creation, Cointreau has remained unique and unchanged.

Cointreau is used is many cocktails due to its versatility which is achieved thanks to its rich flavour and aroma. Some of the most popular cocktails are: The Original Margarita, Cointreau Cosmopolitan, Side Car, White Lady, Golden Dream, Kamikaze, Between the Sheets, Cointreau Caïpirinha, B52, Champs Elysées and Mai Tai.

Cointreau is packed in a unique bottle that is very much distinguishable from others. It is a square bottle with rounded corners. It is amber in colour and has a red ribbon on the front. This shape and design has remain unchanged since 150 years.

A 35cl bottle goes for £9.75 a bottle so it's not as expensive as you might think.

Over 800 imitiations have tried to copy Cointreau's bottle or logo and even the liquer itself. However they have all failed miserably.

Cointreau is a very unique liquer with a combination of bitter and sweet oranges peels. These oranges are specially grown in several areas of the world. The bitter oranges are grown in the Carribean and the sweet ones are grown in Spain and Brazil.

The alcholic content is 40% by volume and has a perfect density. At room temperature the
liquid is totally clear but when poured over ice or cooled becomes opaque (frosty). This is due to the oils that are added during the distilling process and is one of the most well guarded secrets of the Cointreau company.

The distilling process is a meticulous one and creates a perfect balance. Cointreau is mellow and strong at the same time. You can taste the mellow flavour and simultaneously feel the alcohol. Then the taste of orange peels follow. The balance is exquisite and that is why Cointreau is one of the world's most famous liquers and will remain so for a long time to come.

Summary: