Grand Marnier Liqueur

Grand Marnier is an orange liqueur made from a blend of cognac (51%) and bitter orange distillate (49%). To make this distillate, the bitter orange variety, citrus Bigaradia, is harvested and the peels are sun-dried. The peels then macerate in neutral alcohol for ~ 10 days before it is distilled. This bitter orange distillate is then blended with cognac and further aged in large oak vats for 1-6 months. Originally named Curaçao Marnier when created in 1880 by founder Louis-Alexandre Marnier Lapostolle, it was soon changed to Grand Marnier after friends declared it to be grand. The orange liqueur is currently made by master blender Patrick Raguenaud who has held the position since 2004. Also called Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge or simply GrandMa by those in the bar industry.