Make the Margarita Your Favourite Cocktail of 2023 Thanks To Grand Marnier
Time to test your bartender skills and give a go to a Margarita with Grand Marnier!
There are many stories surrounding the origins of this classic cocktail, but no one can be sure which one is true…
One of the most popular legends is that the Margarita was first created in the late 1930s or early 1940s by Carlos “Danny” Herrera, a bartender at his family’s restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico. The story goes that a customer asked for a drink that was not too strong but also not too sweet. Danny combined tequila, lime juice, and triple sec in a shaker with ice and served it in a salt-rimmed glass, and the Margarita was born.
One thing is sure is that it is traditionally made with tequila, lime juice, and triple sec, a type of orange-flavored liqueur. However, substituting triple sec with Grand Marnier takes this classic cocktail to the next level and adds some kick to your National Margarita Day!
Grand Marnier is a premium French liqueur that has been enjoyed by discerning drinkers since its creation in 1880. It is made from a blend of cognac, bitter orange essence, and sugar, and is characterized by its complex flavor and luxurious mouthfeel.
The story of Grand Marnier begins with Louis-Alexandre Marnier, a French wine merchant who had the idea of blending cognac with orange essence to create a unique liqueur. He named the liqueur “Curaçao Marnier” and it quickly became popular among the French aristocracy. In 1880, Louis-Alexandre’s nephew, Jacques Marnier, refined the recipe and named the liqueur “Grand Marnier”, which means “great Marnier” in French.
Grand Marnier is now produced by the Marnier-Lapostolle family, who have maintained the quality and integrity of the brand over the years. The liqueur is aged in oak casks, which gives it a rich and smooth flavor. It can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails, and is a popular ingredient in classic drinks such as the Sidecar and, of course, the Margarita.
National Margarita Day With Grand Marnier – The Grand Margarita
To make a Grand Margarita, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 oz. tequila
- 1 oz. lime juice
- 1 oz. Grand Marnier
- Salt for rim (optional)
- Lime wedge for garnish
To begin, rim a glass with salt if desired. Next, fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the tequila, lime juice, and Grand Marnier. Shake well and strain into the salt-rimmed glass. Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy!
The addition of Grand Marnier to a margarita not only enhances the flavor but also adds a touch of elegance to the cocktail. It is a perfect choice for special occasions or when you want to impress your guests with your mixology skills.
In addition to the Grand Margarita, there are other variations of this classic cocktail that use Grand Marnier as well. For example, the Cadillac Margarita is made with tequila, lime juice, and Grand Marnier, and is served with a float of additional Grand Marnier on top.
So, whether you are a fan of the classic margarita or prefer to mix things up, incorporating Grand Marnier into your cocktail is a delicious way to celebrate National Margarita Day. It adds a touch of sophistication to a classic drink, and is sure to impress your friends and family.
Cheers!
Looking for more drinks content? Read my review of the brand new whisky Adrianna, by Toby Lyle here.
