Grand Marnier Recipe: How to Make This Spirit Yourself

Some of our favorite sips include a splash of Grand Marnier. You’ll find a bit of this orange spirit in classics like the mai tai, sidecar and Cadillac margarita. But if you’re the type that likes to make everything from scratch, you might want to ditch the signature amber bottle and try our Test Kitchen’s homemade Grand Marnier recipe.

What is Grand Marnier?

Before we get into our Grand Marnier recipe, let’s go over what makes this orange liqueur special. Grand Marnier is one of many orange-flavored spirits, including Triple Sec and Cointreau.

However, what sets Grand Marnier apart from these others is that it’s cognac-based. Cognac, to refresh your memory, is a particular type of brandy. Because cognac is the base of this spirit, Grand Marnier is darker in color than its other orange liqueur cousins.

The brand Grand Marnier sells several types of spirits but the most popular one—and the one we’re replicating with our homemade recipe—is Cordon Rouge. It’s a liqueur made with Caribbean oranges.

Our Homemade Grand Marnier Recipe

Like the classic version, our Grand Marnier recipe also uses cognac and plenty of fresh oranges. Our recipe also includes a lemon just to add a bit more tart flavor.

Ingredients

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• 1-1/2 cups cognac
• 1 cup vodka
• 4 large navel oranges
• 1 lemon
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water

Directions

Step 1: Prep the peel

Start by washing the oranges and lemon. Remove the peel in long, thick strips. You’ll only be using the peels for this recipe, so feel free to snack on the fruit while you work.

Step 2: Steep the citrus

Place the peels in a large jar and cover with the cognac and vodka. Cover and shake well. Let the mixture stand for two weeks, but be sure to give it a little shake each day. This method is common for infusing spirits of all kinds.

Editor’s Tip: When making homemade liqueurs like this one, don’t cheat yourself with the base spirits. That means picking up cognac and vodka you’d be happy to stock in your home bar—nothing too fancy, but not the cheap stuff either.

Step 3: Strain

The next step is to strain the peel from the liquid. Do this by pouring the mix into a cheesecloth-lined colander. Repeat the process using a coffee filter to remove any finer particles. Set the liquid aside.

Discard the citrus peels. After steeping in alcohol for weeks, the flavor has been fully extracted and these remnants aren’t good for much. Toss them or pop them in your compost bin.

Step 4: Add sweetness

The last step is to add a bit of sweetness to the liqueur. Heat sugar and water in a saucepan until boiling. Then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Cool this simple syrup completely.

Lastly, add the cooled syrup to the liqueur. From there, you can serve or store in a cool, dry place for up to two months.

What to Make with Grand Marnier

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Now that you’ve got your homemade orange-cognac liqueur, you may be wondering how to use it. Grand Marnier can be used in any recipe that calls for orange liqueur, including ones that use Triple Sec. Use a splash of this sipper in sangria, margaritas or tropical cocktails.

Grand Marnier’s sweet flavor profile is also a great fit for baked goods. Use it as you would extract in recipes like this cranberry and orange tiramisu, pavlova and holiday trifle.

Below are a few more delicious reasons to make your own Grand Marnier. Who wouldn’t love a fresh lime margarita or an orange souffle?

Cadillac Margarita

Frozen Grand Marnier Souffles

Orange and Coffee Martinis

Sparkling Sangria

Peach and Pineapple Sangria