Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge Room Speakeasy
Last month, Grand Marnier invited us to a sensory experience at The Cordon Rouge Room Speakeasy which took place at well-known Scarlet Exclusive Restaurant Bar in Montreal Old Port. The location was kept secret until the last minute and we needed a password to identify ourselves at the entrance. For this special occasion, the Cordon Rouge Room Speakeasy captured a true 1920s style with a dominance of vibrant red colours.
As shown in our Instagram stories, we were transported back in time by the glamour girl of jazz Allyson Briggs with her swinging band Fleur Seule while tasting several cocktails made of Grand Marnier and delightful pastries. Don’t worry, we will feature two cocktail recipes to prepare at home to impress your guests but first let us share 5 things you should know about Grand Marnier!
1. The composition
Grand Marnier is a unique combination of 51% of the finest Cognacs and all-natural Caribbean Orange Liqueur, producing a high quality product with an approachable taste profile. Grand Marnier has since been associated with the most famous cocktails and with gastronomy. The recipe, which has not changed since its creation in 1880 by Louis-Alexandre Marnier-Lapostolle, results in a liqueur with powerful and complex aromas and flavours that are unrivalled.
2. The Aromatic Diversity
The aromatic diversity of the House of Grand Marnier cognacs is owed to the grapes which come from the 5 finest crus (growing areas) of the Cognac region’s vineyards in south-western France: Grand Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, and Bons Bois.
3. The Cellar Master
The Cellar Master ensures that the cognacs he selects are of utmost quality and he blends them with great care. After they are selected, the cognacs are aged in French oak barrels at Château de Bourg-Charente.
4. The Orange Essence
The orange essence used in Grand Marnier liqueur is composed exclusively of handpicked Citrus
Bigaradia oranges found in the Caribbean. They are harvested while their skin is still green because that is when the aromas in the peel are at their most concentrated. The peels are dried according to a natural and artisanal process before they are slowly distilled at Château de Bourg-Charente.
5. The Tasting Notes
- Visual: Beautiful topaz colour with amber and golden tinges, brilliant and luminous.
- Nose: Aromas of orange blossoms and candied orange peel underpinned by notes of oak, vanilla and milk caramel, hinting at the liqueur’s oak barrel ageing.
- Palate: Flavours of bitter orange that are enhanced by the cognac, underscored by nuances of orange marmalade, candied or macerated orange, notes of hazelnut, calisson (a sweet made with ground almonds) and toffee. The finish is long lasting and harmonious.
Now that you know the five essential things about Grand Marnier, here are two easy to do cocktail recipes: Grand Sidecar by Aaron Male and Watch Over Me by Grant Sceney.
Ingredients:
o 1.5oz Grand Marnier
o pink lemonade tea syrup
Insctructions:
Shake and serve up in a coupe glass, garnished with a dehydrated lime wheel.
Ingredients:
o ½ oz Grand Marnier
o ½ oz Wild Turkey
o ½ oz lemon Juice
o ½ dashes Bittered Sling Clingstone Peach Bitters
o 2 sosemary sprigs
o 2 oz sparkling water
Instructions:
Add 1 sprig of rosemary and all remaining ingredients to cocktail shaker (omit sparking water). Add ice and shake hard. Gently pour sparkling water in to combine then double strain into a flute glass.
For more information about products and recipes, please visit Grand Marnier website.
