Taste the flavours of spring with Cointreau

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Taste the flavours of spring with Cointreau

Of course, oranges, the prime ingredient in Cointreau, have a powerful association with spring. Navel oranges ripen in the winter, spring, and early summer, while Valencia oranges begin ripening in the spring and are harvested through summer. Cointreau is created using exceptional sweet and bitter orange peels from the four corners of the world. A nuanced symphony of diverse notes, this iconic liqueur is something of an aromatic feat. Zesty, fresh, floral, sweet… and even more flavour notes just waiting to delight your palate when you mix the perfect Cointreau cocktail.

To help you make the change of seasons something to really enjoy, we’ve curated a series of Cointreau cocktails that capture the essence of spring.

And what better place to start than with one of the most famous cocktails of all time? Loved by everyone from occasional drinkers to top-shelf bartenders, a well-made Margarita strikes the perfect balance between sweet, tart and refreshing. But that doesn’t mean that there’s no good reason to mix things up a little. And, what better time to get creative than spring? Getting inventive with fresh ingredients can add a whole new level to this classic cocktail. Here are few variations just made for spring, starting with the very aptly named…

Spring Margarita

Welcome back the joys of spring with a drink dedicated to love – the luscious Spring Margarita. This rose-tinted wonder is inspired by Emperor Shah Jahan’s storied love affair with his Persian wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

According to legend, Mumtaz was such a beauty that Shah Jahan fell in love with her at first sight. As well as being beautiful, Mumtaz was also compassionate, guiding her husband to rule his vast empire with justice and mercy. He, in turn, called her Mumtaz Mahal, meaning "Jewel of the Palace."

When she passed, Shah Jahan was so devastated that he decided to erect a temple as glorious as their love. The Taj Mahal, a contraction of the name Mumtaz Mahal, was born. This Margarita pays homage to their illustrious union by combining orange and rose, symbolizing India and Persia, respectively. The cocktail is finished with a delicate pink Himalayan salt rim. This salt is considered one of the purest in the world, a romantic nod to Shah Jahan's love for Mumtaz.

For the Spring Margarita, you’ll need:

30 ml Cointreau
50 ml Tequila
20 ml Lime
10 ml Rose syrup
2 sprays Rose perfume

Rim the glass with regular or pink salt.

Combine all the ingredients in a shaker with ice.

Shake it, strain it and serve it.

Tip: garnish with rose petals.

After that torrid tale of love, it’s time to cool down. And what better way to do than with a time-tested classic…

The Original Frozen Margarita

The Original Margarita was created in 1948. Dallas socialite Margarita Sames mixed her two favourite spirits, Cointreau and tequila, with lime juice to entertain her guests at an Acapulco pool party.

Now that spring is here, try the frozen version of a classic recipe that has been a favourite for over 70 years. Born in sunny Mexico, it’s the perfect drink as the days get warmer.

Whipping up a jug of Frozen Margaritas is simplicity itself.

You’ll need:

30 ml Cointreau
30 ml Sierra Silver tequila
30 ml fresh lime juice
5 ml simple syrup
7 ice cubes

How to make it:

Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend to combine.
Pour into salt-rimmed Margarita glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.

It’s hard to go past a classic Frozen Margarita. But if you’re looking for something a bit different, how about this zingy update that's perfect for spring…

Strawberry Basil Margarita

This Cointreau Strawberry Basil Margarita is a fun twist on a total classic, with a sweet and tart profile that delivers an incredibly refreshing taste. And the best thing about it is it's so easy to make at home! Try it for yourself.

You’ll need:

30 ml Cointreau
30 ml Sierra Silver Tequila
30 ml Fresh lime juice
2 Strawberries
1 leaf Basil

How to make it:

Muddle fruit and basil in a shaker, add ingredients and ice.
Shake well and fine strain into a salt-rimmed rocks glass with ice.
Garnish with strawberry and basil leaf.

Tip: Tap that creative Spring energy and get creative with your choice of fruit and herbs.

There’s nothing like a lazy Spring day spend basking in the sun…enjoying the gentle art of doing nothing. So why not take a load off and enjoy…

Breakfast Martini

The Breakfast Martini was invented in 1997 by the internationally acclaimed bartender Salvatore Calabrese and has since become his signature cocktail. A sublime alternative to a Mimosa or a Bloody Mary, the Breakfast Martini is the perfect cocktail for brunch. It’s also a great reason to pull that jar of marmalade out of the back of the cupboard. This easy-to-create cocktail consists of only four ingredients and is really something worth trying.

You’ll need:

15 ml Cointreau
50 ml The Botanist gin
15 ml fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp orange marmalade

How to make it:

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker
Add ice and shake until well chilled
Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass
Garnish with an orange wedge

Tip: Got a sweet tooth? Try changing up your measures to 30ml of The Botanist Gin and 30ml of Cointreau.

Last but not least, how about a Springtime stroll along the sand, with…

The Beachcomber

This beachy classic can be found on the pages of Trader Vic 1947 Bartender’s Guide. Refreshing and bright, this tasty libation puts a Tiki twist on the classic Daiquiri. Delightfully sweet and super easy-to-make, it’s ideal for a lazy Spring afternoon or a pre-dinner drink on a warm Spring evening.

You’ll need:

20 ml Cointreau
50 ml White Rum
15 ml Fresh Lime Juice
2 dashes Maraschino Liqueur

How to make it:

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker
Add ice and shake until well-chilled
Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass
Garnish with an orange wedge

What makes Cointreau the bartender’s secret weapon is its incredible spectrum of more than 40 aromatic notes. These act as a 'flavour amplifier', helping to reveal the other ingredients, bringing balance, depth and unrivalled freshness to the mix. As Margarita Sames, the inventor of the world’s favourite cocktail, the Margarita, famously remarked, “A Margarita without Cointreau isn't worth its' salt."

Suppose you'd like to learn how to make cocktails at home like a pro. In that case, we have cocktails tutorials, masterclasses and practice exercises with easy tips for step-by-step cocktail making.

And to see just how much there is to explore, see our complete list of Cointreau cocktails here. From leading bartenders' creations to a vast array of delicious Margaritas, you're bound to find something to help you enjoy a new taste sensation.

Cointreau is a captivating ode to orange on its own and an enhancer of other flavours when mixed. According to the best noses in the world, Cointreau could give off almost 40 different aromas.

We created the Cointreau Aroma Wheel to help even the most novice tasters experience the full flavour spectrum contained inside each signature amber bottle. How can you use it? Here are three of our favourite ways:

Experience an incredible flavour journey for yourself: Pour yourself a shot of Cointreau and try to identify all the flavours and nuances listed on the wheel.
Food Pairing: Serve Cointreau alongside other dishes and see how it transforms, with a host of delicious food pairings you can try. How about a Spring Margarita, paired with Beetroot Tartar, Green Peas and Gravlax Salmon with Prawn crackers?
Custom Cocktail Creation: Use the Cointreau Aroma Wheel to build custom, balanced drinks

Spin the wheel here to discover the incredible range of flavours waiting in every bottle of Cointreau.

Spring is the perfect time to expand your repertoire. Why not start today and enjoy an exceptional taste of Spring with Cointreau!