Citrusy Cointreau Spritz Cocktail

If you’re a fan of citrusy cocktails with a bubbly twist, then the Cointreau Spritz is the drink for you! This delicious cocktail is a combination of Cointreau liqueur, orange juice, prosecco, and soda water, making it a delightful mix of sweet and bubbly flavors. It’s a cross between a spritz and a mimosa, and it’s sure to become your new go-to drink for any occasion.

If you loved the Cointreau Spritz, then you won’t want to miss out on my other Italian spritz cocktail recipes! From the classic cocktail, the Aperol Spritz, to more unique twists like the Limoncello Spritz or Chambord Spritz, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Refreshing: The Cointreau Spritz is a perfect thirst-quencher, thanks to the combination of soda water, prosecco, and orange juice. It’s light and bubbly, making it a great choice for a hot day or a refreshing brunch cocktail.

• Easy to make: With just a few simple ingredients, it’s incredibly easy to make. You don’t need any fancy bar tools or skills to whip up this delicious cocktail.

• Elegant: It’s an elegant cocktail that looks just as good as it tastes. It’s a great choice for a fancy dinner party or a special occasion, and it’s sure to impress your guests.

What is Cointreau?

Cointreau is a premium brand of orange liqueur that was first created in 1849 by Edouard Cointreau in France. It’s made from a blend of sweet and bitter oranges that are carefully selected from different regions around the world, along with sugar beet alcohol and water. The result is a rich and complex liqueur that’s perfect for cocktails, baking, and cooking.

Cointreau has become a popular ingredient in many classic and modern cocktails, including the Margarita, White Lady, and Cosmopolitan-inspired drinks. It’s known for its crisp and clean orange flavor, which adds a touch of sweetness and complexity to cocktails. Cointreau is a must-have for any home bar, and it’s a versatile ingredient that can be used in a wide range of cocktail recipes.

Ingredient Notes

• Cointreau is a premium orange-flavored liqueur that adds a sweet and citrusy flavor to the cocktail. It’s made from a blend of sweet and bitter orange peels, along with sugar beet alcohol and natural flavorings. Cointreau gives the Cointreau Spritz its signature orange flavor and adds a touch of sweetness to balance out the dryness of the prosecco.

• Freshly squeezed orange juice is an important ingredient in the Cointreau Spritz, as it adds a bright and zesty flavor to the cocktail. It’s a key component in the mimosa-like aspect of the cocktail, adding a fruity sweetness to balance out the other ingredients.

• Prosecco is a sparkling wine that’s light with a crisp and refreshing taste. It’s the perfect base for a spritz cocktail, as its effervescence adds a lively and bubbly quality to the drink. Make sure to buy a prosecco that is labeled dry or brut so that it helps to balance out the sweetness of the Cointreau and orange juice, creating a more well-rounded and balanced cocktail.

• Soda water is added to the Cointreau Spritz to give it some extra fizz and effervescence. It also makes the cocktail feel lighter. You can use either club soda or seltzer water.

• Orange slices make great garnishes that also add a pop of flavor to the drink. You can also use an orange peel or if you want something more contrasting, opt for mint sprigs.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Steps 1-2: Add the Cointreau and orange juice to a wine glass (or spritz glass) filled with ice. 

Steps 3-4: Top with prosecco and soda water.

Step 5: Garnish with orange slices or a twist of orange.

Expert Tips

• To make a Cointreau Spritz into a classic mimosa, omit the soda water and use equal parts orange juice and prosecco. 

• Experiment with different kinds of orange juice, such as Cara Cara or blood oranges, which can offer more complex flavor profiles than a typical navel orange. 

• Use dry (or brut) prosecco for a Cointreau Spritz because it balances the sweetness of the Cointreau and orange juice. 

• If you prefer a sweeter spritz, add a touch of simple syrup or more orange juice to your liking.

• To add some tartness, add a bit of fresh lemon juice to balance the sweetness of the orange flavor.

FAQ

Can I make a batch of Cointreau Spritz cocktails?

Yes, you can definitely make a batch of Cointreau Spritz cocktails for a party or gathering. See cocktail recipe notes for more about serving a crowd. 

Can I make a batch in advance?

You can mix the orange juice and Cointreau together and store in the fridge for up to 1 day in advance. Add the prosecco and soda water just before serving to ensure the spritz stays bubbly. 

Also, keep in mind that ice will dilute the drink over time, so avoid adding ice to the pitcher. Instead use ice directly in the cocktail glasses and if you’re outside, you can nestle the pitcher in a large bucket of ice to keep cool without dilution. 

What’s the difference between Cointreau and Grand Marnier?

Cointreau is an orange liqueur that is considered a triple sec, which originated in France. Grand Marnier is more of a curaçao because it is brandy-based. Side note: blue curaçao is not traditional curaçao as it is not brandy-based.