Grand Marnier or Cointreau?

Question

Both are orange flavoured right - thats all I know! Which is a better drink to have for cooking/baking and Xmasy type drinks?

Answer 1

If you are cooking or baking you would be better using the Grand Marnier, however if you are mixing drinks you should use Cointreau. Grand Marnier is better as a stand alone drink.

Answer 2

Grand Marnier

Answer 3

Yes, both are orange flavored but they are different. They use different sources for the orange essence and Grand Marnier uses aged Cognac whereas Cointreau is a neutral French brandy. Both have similar levels of alcohol and sugar content but the flavors are different. GM is a riper, more candied orange flavor while Cointreau is more orange zest flavor.
GM imparts a darker color while Cointreau is clear.
You'll have to try each and decide for yourself what flavor works best for you.
There are a myriad of knockoffs of each that can be excellent substitutes too.

Answer 4

For some things, GM, cointreau and triple sec are fairly interchangeble--however, if price is an object, triple sec is generally less expensive.

We only use GM in our Cosmopolitans, but use triple sec in our margagotchas. If you are using it in eggnog, go with GM.
GM is also lovely warmed and in a snifter like brandy or cognac--great for cold weather!! Put a cinnamon stick in the snifter just before serving.

I use GM with my flans but cointreau or triple sec when baking.

We consider GM to be an after dinner drink because it has a stronger character than the other two for that use. The other two will give the citrus taste needed for most recipes. When baking, be very careful not to overdo it with these alcohol based ingredients. A non alcohol alternative is grated orange zest or orange extract.

Answer 5

I prefer drinking Cointreau while I bake and Bourbon in my cookies (stuffing too yum yum)!
Grand Marnier is really strong. FYI Both are expensive.
Eggnog and Kahlua with a bunt cake ice ring (spray with Pam first & freeze with some garnish inside, be creative)
Cranberry & Absolut Vodka also a ice ring is festive, add mint.

Mele Kalekimaka! Aloha.

Answer 6

For cooking Grand Marnier is better

Answer 7

Cointreau is a lovely orange liqueur, orange in colour too - don't waste it in cooking. Grand Marnier is similar - again to be drunk as a liqueur.

Answer 8

personally, i prefer the grand marnier to cointreau, I would use either for cooking, but grand marnier for christmasy type drinks.

Answer 9

definitely grand marnier for cooking cointraeu would be to sweet

Answer 10

I prefer Cointreau. I think it has a little more of an orange flavor, and it makes a great margarita.