20 best Grand Marnier cocktails

Words by Simon Difford

Photography by Dan Malpass

20 best Grand Marnier cocktails image 1

Grand Marnier is one of the noble and truly premium liqueurs that has transitioned from the after-dinner sideboard to bartenders' essential. It delivers bright, zippy zestiness, velvety mouthfeel, cognac-laced spirit, and sugary richness to each drink in my selection of the 20 best Grand Marnier cocktails.

ency 86 image
Ampersand
With: Old tom gin, cognac, rosso vermouth, Grand Marnier and orange bitters.
We say: A brandy influenced Wet and Sweet Martini.

ency 85 image
Apples to Oranges
With: Calvados, bourbon, dry vermouth, Grand Marnier and Combier Elixir.
We say: Spirit-forward and eminently sippable.

ency 84 image
Aventura
With: Raspberries, mezcal, Grand Marnier, elderflower liqueur, lime juice, lemon juice and sugar syrup.
We say: Mezcal infused raspberry fruit with citrus aromatised with rich elderflower.

ency 25 image
Bijou (inspired by Lawlor's 1895 recipe)
With: Dry gin, Grand Marnier and rosso vermouth.
We say: A gin-based boozy sipper that's medium-dry with honeyed richness.

ency 23 image
Burnt Fuselage
With: Cognac, Grand Marnier and dry vermouth.
We say: From Harry MacElhone's 1927 Barflies & Cocktails.

ency 76 image
Grand Cosmopolitan
With: Vodka, Grand Marnier, cranberry juice, lime juice and orange bitters.
We say: With the rich notes of Grand Marnier this is indeed a GRAND Cosmo.

ency 49 image
Landing Gear
With: Cognac, Grand Marnier, dry vermouth, cherry brandy and maraschino liqueur.
We say:Spiritous and richly fruity with orange and cherry combining harmoniously with cognac.

ency 65 image
Larchmont
With: Light rum, Grand Marnier, lime juice and sugar syrup.
We say: A delicate Orange Daiquiri.

ency 58 image
Mexico City
With: Reposado tequila, Grand Marnier, lime juice, cranberry juice and sugar syrup.
We say: This pinky-red Margarita benefits from a hint of cranberry.

ency 81 image
Olympic
With: Cognac, Grand Marnier and orange juice.
We say: Perfectly balanced cognac and zesty orange.

ency 31 image
Orange Brulée
With: Grand Marnier, Amaretto, cognac and cream.
We say: A great-looking, creamy topped after-dinner cocktail.

ency 10 image
Palo Negro
With: Reposado tequila, palo cortado sherry, black rum, Grand Marnier and demerara sugar syrup.
We say: A complex, spirit-led, after-dinner/late night sipper.

ency 95 image
Parle-vous Irish
With: Cognac, Irish whiskey, Grand Marnier, an Bénédictine.
We say: A cognac and Irish whiskey-based after-dinner sipper.

ency 36 image
Peat's Dragon
With: Blended and Speyside single malt Scotch whisky, Grand Marnier, Lillet Blanc, dry vermouth and black pepper.
We say: Rich orange shines through this aromatic whisky-based cocktail.

ency 17 image
Playmate Martini
With: Cognac, Grand Marnier, apricot liqueur, orange juice, egg white and aromatic bitters.
We say: Apricot and orange laced with cognac.

ency 99 image
Red Lion
With: Dry gin, Grand Marnier, orange juice, lemon juice, grenadine, sugar syrup and orange bitters.
We say: The sophisticated drinker's answer to a gin and juice.

ency 81 image
Rosarita Margarita
With: Reposado tequila, Grand Marnier, cranberry juice, lime cordial, lime juice and sugar syrup.
We say: A peachy coloured Margarita with zesty orange and cranberry.

ency 98 image
Satan's Whiskers (Straight)
With: Dry gin, dry vermouth, rosso vermouth, Grand Marnier, orange juice and orange bitters.
We say: Dry and citrusy with underlying piney gin and herbal complexity.

ency 100 image
Sunray
With: Bourbon, Grand Marnier, Lillet Blanc, Kina aromatised wine and orange juice.
We say: Citrusy, bourbon-laced and gently bittersweet with fresh zippy rich orange.

ency 40 image
Yellow Daisy
With: Dry gin, dry vermouth, Grand Marnier and absinthe.
We say: Best shaken not stirred!

20 best Grand Marnier cocktails image 1

Join the Discussion


... comment(s) for 20 best Grand Marnier cocktails

You must log in to your account to make a comment.

Report comment

You must be logged in to upvote or downvote a comment

Click here to login
Welcome to Difford's Guide

All editorial and photography on this website is copyright protected

© Odd Firm of Sin 2024