Cointreau, the original triple sec, known for its citrus sweetness and zest is a key ingredient in fun and flirty cocktails: margaritas, cosmopolitans and sidecars. However, this orange liquor has a dark side. Enter Cointreau Noir. Developed by master distiller Bernadette Langlais, Cointreau Noir combines the tangy playfulness of Cointreau with a sly wink of Rémy Martin Cognac. Of her new creation Langlais says, “We have spent the last few years endeavouring to hone the final product and reach the perfection we set out to achieve”. Achieve it she has. The result is a smooth blend of spice and warmth with notes of honey and almost that will appeal to sweet-toothed liquor lovers and dark spirit connoisseurs alike.
Alfred Cointreau, a 6th generation member of the Cointreau family, was in Melbourne last night to launch Cointreau Noir. He celebrated with guests at Captain Melville in the CBD. The bar was lit in Cointreau’s signature amber glow and spicy hors d’oeuvre and creamy desserts were served to complement the smooth and zesty flavours of the drink we were there to sample. While we were greeted with Cointreau Noir and cloudy apple soda cocktails, we enjoyed our first taste of the new liquor neat with a thrilling performance by an electric violinist who whirled around the stage in a tiny sequined dress. Alfred Cointreau also gave us a suave demonstration in making Cointreau Noir spritz and sangria.
While the spritz was particularly fruity and effervescent, Cointreau Noir has a complexity of flavours that deserve to be enjoyed neat and its warmth and spice are perfect for welcoming autumn’s cooler nights.
COINTREAU NOIR NEAT
60ml. Cointreau Noir
Pour Cointreau Noir into a rocks glass and enjoy
COINTREAU NOIR + APPLE-SODA
60ml Cointreau Noir
120ml cloudy apple juice
60ml club soda
Pour ingredients over ice in a highball glass
Stir briefly and garnish with a slice of Fuji apple
COINTREAU NOIR SPRITZ
60ml Noir
7ml fresh lemon juice
90ml chilled champagne
Serve in a coupette glass
Cointreau Noir will be available at fine establishments across Australia from 1st April 2014 and retails at RRP $64.99.
