Grand Marnier is a very popular cognac-based liqueur flavored with orange that can be used to prepare a large number of drinks. The soft taste of orange and cognac makes it an extremely versatile ingredient for cocktails and shots. This article explains the basic techniques that allow you to experiment and make the most of the Grand Marnier.
Ingrediants
B-52
- 10 ml of Grand Marnier
- 10 ml of Kahlua
- 10 ml of Baileys Irish Cream
For 1 person
Grand Cosmopolitan
- 30 ml of Grand Marnier
- 30 ml of vodka
- 30 ml of cranberry juice
- 15 ml of lime juice
- Ice cubes
- Decorative lime zest
For 1 person
Cadillac Margarita
- 7.5 ml of Grand Marnier
- 45 ml of white tequila (also called 'silver')
- 15 ml of agave syrup
- 15 ml of lime juice
- Ice cubes
- Slice of decorative lime
- Salt to decorate the rim of the glass (optional)
For 1 person
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Prepare a B-52
Step 1. Get a bottle of the following liqueurs:
Grand Marnier, Kahlua and Baileys Irish Cream. To prepare the B-52 you will have to use these three liqueurs in the same quantities, so if you want to prepare several shots at once, take three bottles of the same capacity. Place the three bottles in front of you, on the counter or on a table, to be ready to make this classic layered shot.
- You can also use homemade whsiky cream to make B-52.
- If you don't have Kahlua, you can use another coffee liqueur.
Step 2. Fill one third of the shot glass with Kahlua or another coffee liqueur
This is the easiest layer of the shot to pour and does not require a particular technique. Pour in the liqueur slowly so as not to fill more than a third of the shot glass.
Pour the coffee liqueur into the other glasses in the same way if you want to make more than one shot
Step 3. Add the Baileys Irish Cream by pouring it slowly over the back of a spoon, so that it slowly drips into the glass
Stop pouring when the glass is two-thirds full. Pouring the Baileys Irish Cream on the back of a spoon serves to slow the flow, to prevent the two liqueurs from mixing.
The bar spoon, i.e. the cocktail spoon with the long handle, is the ideal tool to use to prepare the B-52. Alternatively, you can use a medium-sized cooking spoon
Step 4. Now slowly pour the Grand Marnier onto the back of the spoon until the shot glass is full
Use the same technique you used earlier to pour the whiskey cream so the liquor layers don't mix. At this point, the B-52 is ready to drink.
As an alternative to the spoon, you can use a metal pour (or bottle measuring cap) and place it on the liquor bottle. Place the metal pour against the edge of the glass and let the liqueur run very slowly along the inside of the glass
Step 5. Bring the glass to your mouth and drink the shot all at once
Enjoy the delicate aromas of orange, coffee, cream and whiskey cream. This classic drink is also great as a dessert.
Legend has it that the B-52 was created in the 1970s by a bartender who was a huge fan of the musical group "The B-52s"
Method 2 of 4: Making a Grand Cosmopolitan
Step 1. Pour the vodka, Grand Marnier, cranberry juice and lime juice into a shaker along with ice
Fill the cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes. Add 30 ml of vodka, Grand Marnier and cranberry juice respectively, 15 ml of freshly squeezed lime juice, then put the lid on the shaker.
For a more citrusy taste, use a citrus vodka or add a drop of angostura
Step 2. Shake the cocktail until a thin layer of condensation forms on the outside of the shaker
Shake the ingredients vigorously for at least 15 seconds to mix them. Make sure the shaker lid is firmly attached before you start shaking.
Shake the shaker vigorously to be able to hear the sound of the ice cubes hitting the inside walls. The goal is to mix the ingredients of the cocktail and crush the ice
Step 3. Pour the cocktail into a cold martini glass by straining it with the strainer, then add a decorative lime zest
Five minutes before you start making the cocktail, place the martini glass in the freezer or fill it with water and ice. Hook the strainer to the mouth of the shaker to filter the cocktail as you pour it into the martini glass or, if you prefer, you can use the julep strainer. At this point the Grand Cosmopolitan is ready to be served and enjoyed.
Method 3 of 4: Prepare a Cadillac Margarita
Step 1. Wrap three handfuls of ice cubes with a clean tea towel and break them with a hammer
You can crush the ice cubes by hitting them with the muddler (cocktail pestle) or with a rolling pin if you don't have a hammer handy. Keep hitting until you get different sized pieces of ice - from pea-sized chunks to the consistency of snow.
Step 2. Cool a glass with ice water for 5 minutes, then empty it and fill it with crushed ice
Make sure the ice fragments you got are of various sizes.
If desired, decorate the rim of the glass with salt before filling it with ice. Rub a lime wedge on the edge of the glass, then empty the ice water from the glass and place it upside down on a plate full of salt. Apply light pressure to make the salt adhere to the rim of the glass before turning it over and filling it with crushed ice
Step 3. Pour the tequila, agave syrup, lime juice and Grand Marnier into a shaker
First fill the shaker with ice, then add 45ml of white tequila, 15ml of agave syrup, 15ml of freshly squeezed lime juice and 7.5ml of Grand Marnier.
If you don't have agave syrup, you can use liquid sugar
Step 4. Shake the cocktail for 15-20 seconds, then strain it and pour it into the chilled glass
Stop shaking your drink when a thin layer of condensation has formed on the outside of the shaker. You need to hear the ice cubes banging against the walls, bottom and top of the shaker as you shake it to mix the ingredients.
If you want to make more than one drink, discard the remaining ice and repeat the process for each cocktail
Step 5. Decorate the cocktail with some lime wedges and serve or drink it
The Cadillac Margarita is refreshing on summer days and is great paired with Mexican food. Multiply the doses of the ingredients and mix them in advance if you want to serve the cocktail in jugs for several people. Store the jugs in the refrigerator until ready to serve the drink.
Method 4 of 4: Drink Grand Marnier as a Digestive
Step 1. Pour a shot of Grand Marnier into a snifter glass (stem glass)
Serve the liqueur straight, without ice, to appreciate the complexity of the aromas. Swirl it in the glass and drink it in small sips to fully savor its taste.
Add an ice cube if you prefer the liqueur to be cold
Step 2. Combine one part of Grand Marnier with three parts of ginger ale
Serve the drink in a glass with ice cubes and decorate it with a lime wedge. Savor the union between the intense aroma of Grand Marnier and the peppery aroma of ginger ale.
Squeeze the lime wedge into the glass before adding it as a garnish
Step 3. Heat a shot of Grand Marnier and combine it with 90ml of freshly brewed coffee
If you wish, you can sweeten the drink with brown sugar and decorate it with whipped cream. If you have guests, this is a perfect alternative to the classic after dinner coffee.
