cl cointreau
Cointreau contains negligible nutritional value per standard serving; it is primarily ethanol (40% ABV) and provides approximately 100 calories per 1.5 oz (44 mL) serving. No significant vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients are present in meaningful quantities.
About
Cointreau is a colorless, double-distilled curaçao liqueur produced in Angers, France, since 1875. It is an orange-flavored spirit made by macerating sweet and bitter orange peels in neutral alcohol, then distilling the infusion to extract essential oils and flavor compounds. The spirit is bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) with no added color, distinguishing it from darker curaçaos. Cointreau is classified as a triple sec, though the term "triple sec" has become genericized; Cointreau remains the archetypal example of the category.
The flavor profile is bright, dry, and intensely aromatic, with citrus notes dominated by bitter orange complexity balanced by subtle sweetness. The spirit's clarity and clean taste result from careful distillation and the absence of caramel coloring, making it a benchmark for quality orange liqueurs.
Culinary Uses
Cointreau is a foundational ingredient in classic cocktails, most notably the Margarita and Cosmopolitan, where its dry orange character balances acidic and strong spirit components. It is also essential to the Sidecar, Daiquiri variations, and numerous tiki drinks. Beyond cocktails, Cointreau is used in pastry and dessert preparation—added to crème brûlée, soufflés, ice creams, and fruit compotes to impart subtle orange flavor without excessive sweetness.
The liqueur's versatility extends to savory applications, where small quantities enhance sauces for duck, pork, and seafood. Its solubility in both aqueous and lipid-based matrices makes it particularly valuable in emulsified sauces and reductions. The high ABV ensures that alcohol typically evaporates during cooking, leaving concentrated orange flavor.