By Laura Medina
Does all this holiday rush or stress has you stuck with great-great-great-great-auntie's same ole punch recipe which has gotten as stale as last year's lonely fruit cake?
Don't fret, Cointreau comes to the holidays' rescue, take a couple of cues from its Cointreau Maison, where they took over a grand historical hotel then transform it into a french speak-easy cabaret.
Now, that's an idea, have yourself a French underground cabaret then ask your guests to dress up as their favorite French personality, Edith Piaf or Catherine D. or Ms. Bardot, hire a cabaret troupe (ask your friends to chip in and act like one) and let the drinks flow.
Cointreau Maison was the launch pad for Cointreau's new liquorr, Cointreau Noir, a sensuous blend of Cointreau with cognac, a smoky orange.
What's better to celebrate the new "dark orange" than an underground, edgy/retro French cabaret band with the help of Lady Rizo and a real French accordionist who flew all the way from France, Nicole Renaud.
Television personality, Dallas Monroe Harrison enjoying one of many Cointreau Noir creations.
Mind you...when this swank event occurred, the whole Cointreau crew flew out directly to Los Angeles after surviving Hurricane Sandy-stricken Manhattan. So the fruit, orange, took on a whole but traditional meaning, the bright, sunny, dry days and the taste of fresh oranges to go with Cointreau and its darker sibling, mixing and partying in sunny LA tastes pretty good to them.
The brand's master mixologist, Kyle Ford (the young gent on the left) shares the joy to, not just that night's guests, but also for all the readers thirsty for new cocktail recipes for the holidays.
Here they are:
Cointreau, Lime & Soda
2 oz. Cointreau
1 oz. fresh lime juice
Club soda
Combine all ingredients over ice in a highball glass. Stir briefly.
Devil’s Own (down now for the late Fall and to relieve the holiday/shopping stress)
1 oz. Cointreau
1 oz. Gin Botanist
1 oz. Dry Vermouth
Dash of Angostura
Side Car...here's something your grand and great aunt can appreciate, the classic Side Car
1 1/5 oz. Remy VSOP
¾ oz. Cointreau
¾ oz. Lemon juice
Noir & Iced Tea...the smoky taste of Cointreau Noir enhances the tea.
2 oz. Cointreau Noir
5 oz. Unsweetened Iced Tea
Palomita...a better way to pucker under the mistletoe.
1 1/5 oz. Cointreau
1 oz. Lime Juice
3 oz. Grapefruit
If being "everyone's Santa Claus" is wearing you down, with everyone gone for the holidays, now is the time to sit back and relax with a hot mug of cocoa or tea...with a soothing extra.
With Next Iron Chef judge Donatella Arpaia's help, you can chill with Cointreau's "Desserts in a Glass”.
Here is a list of Cointreau’s Warm Holiday Libations, hugging your exhausted sole. There are two classic chocolate/orange combinations. This classic contrast can nurse your soul while "chilling" in the comfort of your own home; or you can share them with someone to snuggle up to during the holidays...perhaps at a ski lodge. These warm and sweet cocktails are great gifts to the most important person in life...yourself. Chocolate Kiss
1 oz. Cointreau
1 oz. Mount Gay Extra Old Rum
1 oz. whole milk or heavy cream
Dash of cinnamon
1-2 Dashes angostura bitters
Combine all ingredients. Stir, heat, and serve.
Chocolate Blizzard
1 ½ oz Cointreau
3 oz Dark semisweet chocolate
¼ teaspoon Vanilla
1 cup Half-and-half or cream
Combine chocolate and vanilla in a double boiler. Stir until melted and smooth.
Add the half-and-half and Cointreau very slowly and do not boil. Serve with mini-marshmallows.
Glass: Coffee Mug (glass stemmed)
Garnish: Nutmeg
Goodnight Tip is the updated version of a Hot Toddy, an very early version of a cough syrup. This now sickly scribe can't think of anything better to sip after weary weeks of holiday cheers.
7 oz. chamomile tea, freshly brewed
½ oz. Cointreau
½ oz. honey
Honey stick (rock candy swizzle stick)
Lemon wheel (optional)
Pour the tea, Cointreau and honey into a coffee mug. Stir well to combine.
Garnish with a honey stick rock candy.
Float lemon wheel on top (optional)
Cranberry Orange Tea is another great alternative to the sick and weary during the holidays. Liquor to kill the germs. Vitamin C to bump up the immune system.
7 oz. cranberry tea, freshly brewed
½ oz. Cointreau
Orange slices, halved
Dried cranberries
Pour the tea and Cointreau into a martini glass or footed coffee mug. Garnish with the orange slices and dried cranberries.
Gee, these yummy cocktails can put a smile on a Grinch.
Expect more cocktails and new punch and new food pairings to keep you and your guests fed, full, and fuel to the New Year.
With the holidays creeping and marching closer and closer, expect a lot of cocktail recipes and easy food pairings to keep you and your guests fed, full, and fueled all the way through New Year's Day.
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