18 Cointreau Cocktails

Have a bottle of Cointreau but don’t know how to make the most of it? Fortunately, there are a plethora of fantastic Cointreau cocktails to pick from! Also, Cointreau can easily be added to whatever you’re drinking without changing it too much!

Cointreau can effortlessly be added to a number of preexisting cocktails to strengthen them up and add a welcomed depth of flavor. Like Gran Marnier, you can throw it in a Margarita or Mimosa with no complaints. It’s got a slightly more orangey flavor than Gran Marnier and is less vanilla-tasting. 

Cointreau is an orange liqueur that’s slightly sweet but bitter, too. It can be served straight or in your favorite cocktails. It is considered one of the better triple secs out there and is more affordable than a bottle of Gran Marnier.

Cointreau is a type of triple sec, which means “triple distilled.” It is similarly citrusy but much more smooth than your average triple sec and can be enjoyed straight. It was first introduced in 1849 in France and is currently enjoyed worldwide!

If you need some inspiration on using your bottle of Cointreau, you have come to the right place. Try one of these delightful Cointreau concoctions next time you are in the mood for a drink.

Watermelon Margaritas

Cointreau Watermelon Margaritas are a fun way to enjoy a Margarita with a twist. Sweet and fruity watermelon juice mixes with Cointreau and lime juice to create this fantastic drink.

These are the perfect summer cocktail and can be served on the rocks or frozen.

I like to add a sugar rim to mine to make it even sweeter. I find that the sugar complements the sweet watermelon flavors beautifully. If you want to go the extra mile, make your own fresh watermelon juice from scratch. You’ll find that your drinks will have some texture to them.

Margarita

A margarita is one of the best drinks to expose you to the marvels of Cointreau. The sourness and acidity are balanced out with a dash of this triple sec. If you choose, rim your glass with flaky salts, such as kosher or sea salt. If you’re a sweet tooth, go for a sugar rim instead!

There are only three components in this cocktail, and boom, perfection! It is recommended to use high-quality tequila and fresh-squeezed lime juice. Using a sour mix can make for an overly sweet drink.

Classic Sidecar

The sidecar is the next stop on your Cointreau journey. The combination of Cointreau, brandy, and lemon in this old-fashioned classic is irresistible. It is sweet but not overbearing and polished without being sharp. Furthermore, the way the ingredients blend together forms a whole new flavor profile that is irresistible. 

Dip your cocktail glass in lemon and rim it with sugar for a sweeter drink. This extra step takes no time and results in a more polished and impressive finished product. Sidecars make excellent happy-hour cocktails but can be enjoyed with dinner as well. 

Cosmopolitan

Fresh lime juice, Cointreau, and cranberry juice are added to vodka. The outcome is a refreshingly tangy and fruity beverage that isn’t excessively sweet. Also, the cranberry juice lends a bright color to the beverage that would entice any cocktail connoisseur. This is a well-known and well-balanced vodka cocktail.

A classic Cosmopolitan, or Cosmo for short, calls for citron vodka, which is lemon-flavored. This adds to the tartness of the lime and cranberry. If you want, add just a touch of lemon juice (don’t be heavy-handed with it) if you want that extra citrus flavor. 

Cointreau Fizz

The Cointreau fizz is simple and refreshing, allowing the orange liqueur’s full potential to show. This drink is extremely simple and highlights Cointreau’s taste since it’s the main ingredient here. 

To make the drink, fill a glass halfway with ice, then add Cointreau, lime, and soda water. Because of the soda water, this drink is stirred, not shaken. Also, make sure to use fresh lime juice rather than concentrate-based bottled lime juice. Trust me, the flavor will be so much better. 

Kiss the Ring

Kiss the Ring is a spin on the French 75 and is inspired by the classic film The Godfather. The men in the movie wear pinky rings, hence the cocktail’s name. The Kiss the Ring is actually made with blood orange juice, yet another play on themes from the crime movie. 

This drink has Cointreau, fresh blood orange juice, prosecco, and gin. The blood orange juice adds more depth than lemon juice, and the Cointreau enhances the orange flavor. It’s also a spectacular red-orange color and looks beautiful in the glass. 

R.B. Ginger

This cocktail honors Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the first female Supreme Court justice.

Ginger, lemon, rum, and Cointreau come together in this bright, delicious cocktail. Thanks to ginger beer and lime, it tastes like a Dark and Stormy, except that this recipe takes outdoes itself by adding muddled fresh ginger and garnishing with candied ginger.

This drink is sweet, spicy, and robust, and it does an excellent job of honoring R.B.G.’s legacy. She was as spicy as they come. 

French 75

This well-known drink is elegant and refreshing. Simply fill a shaker halfway with Cointreau, gin, simple syrup, and lemon juice, and mix vigorously. Pour it into a glass, top with champagne, and that’s all there is to it.

The French 75 dates back to the late 1920s and gets its name from the 75-millimeter gun used by the French in WW1. It’s refreshing like a Mimosa but boozier, providing an alternative for those who don’t want to sip a ton of Mimosas to get their brunch party started. 

French 75’s are served in champagne flutes, so they make for a great cheersing drink if you’re celebrating. 

White Lady Cocktail

The White Lady is a silky, citrus-forward, chic cocktail. This sour 1920s cocktail is refreshing, smooth, and very classy. The foam top layer gives it the perfect creamy consistency, so remember to give it a dry shake first! Garnish with an expressed lemon twist.

The White Lady cocktail is in the Sidecar family and has a similar flavor profile. It is particularly boozy and errs on the dry/sour side. Some bartenders even add creme de menthe for a minty finish. 

Orange Pomegranate Prosecco Cocktail

A toast made with a dazzling glass of this glistening beverage will be even more magnificent. 

The flavors of orange and pomegranate come together beautifully in this winter cocktail. On the other hand, this cocktail is so versatile that you could prepare it by changing up a few of the ingredients at any time of year.

The possibilities are nearly endless when using Cointreau and prosecco as a base. Some yummy examples are the Poinsettia Cocktail and the Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail.

Rosebud

 After one sip, you’ll agree that this cocktail is deserving of praise. A splash of rosewater is added to enhance the aroma and earns this cocktail its name. You’ll need good vodka, lime juice, simple syrup, cucumber, and mint. Don’t forget the Cointreau and Angostura bitters to bring the flavors together.

With a few rose petals for garnish, you’ve got yourself a red carpet award-winner in a glass. This is something that no film buff or craft cocktail connoisseur will be able to resist. It’s vibrant, flowery, and one-of-a-kind. These are also very eye-catching, so I like to order them on dates if the bar can make them. 

Kahlua Cointreau French Coffee

This adult beverage makes for a great after-dinner dessert. I like to drink spiked coffee to either finish off my night or keep it going. It has a dessert-like taste that can make me want to cozy up, or gives me just enough energy to keep partying. 

The Kahlua offers a rich, creamy body, while the Cointreau adds a refreshing citrus note. For an after-dinner treat, serve with freshly prepared coffee and whipped cream. Be aware that the mix of Kahlua and Cointreau leans towards the boozy side, but it’s still very smooth and tasty.

If you want an extra creamy drink, add some Baileys Irish Creme instead of regular cream. Baileys is alcoholic and provides a sweet and creamy flavor. 

Lemon Drop Martini

A lemon drop martini is a Cointreau drink with a clean flavor and elegant attitude. With a sugar rim and a lemon twist, this zingy vodka martini is wonderfully balanced and delightfully tangy. It’s perfect for parties and cocktail hours because it looks so festive.

These are also popularly served in shot-form. If my friends want to do shots, these are our go-to’s because they’re strong, but the lemon masks the vodka that we don’t prefer to taste. 

See Also: Old Fashioned Mocktail

Cadillac Margarita

If you’re searching for a way to beef up a margarita, look no further. The Cadillac Margarita is a must-try! As the name suggests, this is a more robust version of the original Mexican Margarita. To make the Cadillac, add a Cointreau (or Gran Marnier) floater on top of your basic margarita.

I find that adding Cointreau to a Margarita (or many other cocktails) is a smart way to increase the drink’s strength while maintaining the flavor profile you had in mind. This is why triple sec can be added to so many different cocktails. 

Mimosa

Here is a drink where Cointreau is not usually used, but it fits in like it was meant to be! What is the best way to make a mimosa? For a sweeter, more nuanced flavor, use Prosecco in place of champagne. Add a dash of Cointreau to make it stronger while barely changing the flavor. It’s tangy, with just the right amount of sweetness.

Swap out orange juice for your favorite brunch flavors like peach, watermelon, or mango if you want to try something new! 

Frozen Coconut Margarita

Can’t decide between a Pina Colada or a Frozen Margarita? Who said you can’t have both at once? With the Frozen Coconut Margarita, you can. 

This five-ingredient tropical concoction tastes like a cross between a Margarita and a Pina Colada. You’ll need high-quality tequila, coconut cream, and coconut milk to obtain the perfect balance. Add a dash of Cointreau and lime juice to cut through the acidity.

This can also be served on the rocks if you don’t have a blender. Just remember that the quantities are adjusted in frozen recipes, so keep that in mind. Bottoms up!

Pomegranate Martini

Try a Pomegranate Martini, a hallmark Cointreau cocktail, for your next get-together. It’s similar to the Cosmo that we also feature on this list. Pomegranate Martinis are fruity, tart, and refreshing. 

Cosmopolitans have cranberry juice, but these are prepared with pomegranate juice! Pomegranate is also sugary and bitter, similar to cranberry juice. Serve it in a martini glass for a classy cocktail that is refreshing and sophisticated. 

Mai Tai

We typically think of Mai Tais as fruity resort cocktails, but a true Mai Tai is actually not that sweet at all! This famous cocktail from the 1940s has been degraded into an overly sweet tourist drink over time. A true Mai Tai is crisp, nutty, and rich. 

Mai Tais are quite decadent with rum, Cointreau, and Orgeat almond syrup. The citrus and vanilla flavors balance out perfectly against each other. When you add a splash of black rum to the mix, you’ve got a Mai Tai that’s subtle and one-of-a-kind.

Other Cocktail Recipes

21 Classic Rum Cocktails

24 Easy Prosecco Cocktail Recipes

18 Easy Gin Cocktails

Pink Squirrel Cocktail Recipe

Fresh Pineapple Margaritas

Pineapple Orange Coconut Rum Cocktail

Conclusion

Cointreau is a well-known brand of triple sec, or orange liqueur, known for its distinctive orange flavor. While you may drink Cointreau on its own, it’s also a common ingredient in various well-known cocktails. 

Let us know if you like Cointreau, Gran Marnier, or your average Dekuyper triple sec the most. Cointreau is more citrusy than Gran Marnier, which has a much more vanilla-forward taste. Other triple secs tend to be very citrusy and less sweet.

Our recommendations on this list are the Kiss the Ring and Mai Tai. If you are feeling brave, try all of these Cointreau cocktails to see which one is your favorite.