THE ART OF CLASSIC COCKTAILS
CATALYZING CLASSIC COCKTAILS SINCE DAY 1
The word definition appeared in 1806: “cocktail”
a mélange of water, sugar, spirits and bitters. But Jerry Thomas owned the term when in 1862 he published “The Bartender’s Guide,” history’s first compendium of cocktail formulas.
When Cointreau came on the scene in 1885, fashionable folk were sipping mixed drinks in stylish bars and luxury hotels. The liqueur quickly entered the barman’s arsenal of cocktail ingredients, featuring in the creation of some of the greatest classic drinks.
Examples?
WHITE LADY
Consider the White Lady, invented in 1919 by Harry MacElhone of Harry’s Bar in Paris combined Cointreau, brandy and crème de menthe.
COSMOPOLITAN
The Cosmopolitan caused a sensation in 1988 with its blend of Cointreau, vodka, cranberry juice and lime, served forth in a Martini glass.
SIDE CAR
In 1922 the Side Car appealed to flappers and their beaux, with its mix of Cointreau, cognac and a fresh lemon juice.
MARGARITA
And there is the Margarita, most memorable of them all.
THE ORIGINAL MARGARITA? ONLY WITH COINTREAU
The Margarita cocktail was invented in Acapulco by Margaret Sames, a Dallas socialite famous for her extravagant parties. One day in 1948, experimenting with her favorite spirits to create a perfect mix, she decided to shake up tequila with Cointreau and add a touch of fresh lime juice… and the Margarita was born!
“The Drink” which has become “Margarita” met with astounding success. More than 70 years later, the genuine Margarita made with Cointreau reigns in the pantheon of classic cocktails
When you mix a Margarita with Cointreau orange liqueur, it pours out clear and bright, with an appetizing freshness. On the nose, the cocktail delivers an intense aroma: Cointreau offers richer citrusy, herbal, floral and fruity notes than any other orange liqueur.
And on the palate? The perfect counterpoint to tequila, Cointreau makes a fruity, intense and refreshing cocktail with a long, balanced finish. As Margaret Sames herself would often opine:
“A Margarita without Cointreau is not worth its salt!”
