10 Best Cointreau Cocktail Recipes

Few cocktails capture the essence of sunshine in a glass quite like the Margarita. This enduring favorite combines just three ingredients: tequila, Cointreau, and freshly squeezed lime juice, served in a salt-rimmed glass. The simplicity is its secret—crisp, tangy, and perfectly balanced.

Bartender Tip: Use 100% blue agave tequila for a clean, authentic flavor.

Try the original Cointreau Margarita recipe on Food52.

2. Cosmopolitan

The Cosmopolitan is one of the most famous cocktails, featuring Cointreau and vodka. It uses just lime, Cointreau, vodka, and cranberry juice, shaken and strained into a martini glass or cocktail cup, garnished with a slice of lime.

Find the Cointreau Cosmopolitan recipe here. 

3. The Sidecar

A refined favorite from the Prohibition era, the Sidecar combines Cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice for a drink that’s both sharp and smooth. Served in a sugar-rimmed glass and garnished with a twist of lemon peel, it’s sophistication in a coupe.

Discover the Sidecar recipe

4. Singapore Sling

Invented at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore in 1915, the Singapore Sling is a tropical classic that brims with color and complexity.

To make it:
Combine 3 cl gin, 1.5 cl cherry liqueur, 0.75 cl Cointreau, 0.75 cl DOM Bénédictine, 1 cl grenadine, 12 cl pineapple juice, 1.5 cl lime juice, and a dash of Angostura bitters. Shake vigorously with ice and strain into a tall glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry and a slice of pineapple.

Explore the original Singapore Sling recipe from Raffles Hotel Singapore.

Light & Refreshing (Perfect for Summer)

5. Cointreau Fizz

Simple, sparkling, and endlessly refreshing, the Cointreau Fizz is a modern favorite for warm evenings. Just combine Cointreau, soda water, and fresh lime juice over ice, then garnish with a twist of orange or a lime wheel.

Pro Tip: Try infusing your fizz with herbs like basil or mint for a fragrant twist.

Find this simple recipe on Cointreau's website.

6. Cointreau Spritz

A bright, effervescent twist on the Italian Aperol spritz, this version substitutes Aperol for Cointreau, giving the drink a lighter, citrus-forward lift. Combine dry prosecco, Cointreau, orange juice, and a splash of soda water. Serve over ice and garnish with a slice of orange.

Try the grapefruit version for an extra burst of flavor.

7. Cointreau and Tonic

For a refreshing twist on the classic gin and tonic, replace the gin with Cointreau. Add 10 ml (0.3 fl oz) of lime juice to balance the citrus notes, then top with tonic water and ice. Garnish with a wedge of lime for a crisp, easy drink that’s effortlessly elegant.

Modern Twists (Playful & Creative)

8. Pink Señorita

A blushing, elegant riff on the Margarita.

An elegant twist on the classic Margarita, the Pink Señorita has a lovely blush color and is a sweeter, more palatable alternative to the strong sourness of the original. It is made using 100% agave tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, sugar syrup, and pink grapefruit juice.

9. Cucumber Margarita

Fresh, cooling, and perfect for garden parties.

Cool, green, and garden-fresh, this Cucumber Margarita is the ultimate summer sundowner. Blend tequila, Cointreau, Grand Marnier, lime juice, and muddled cucumber for a refreshing and aromatic cocktail. Serve over ice with a lime zest garnish for extra brightness.

10. Long Island Iced Tea

Strong, bold, and made for when one drink is enough.