What To Mix Grand Marnier With: 10 Best Options (2023)

Last Updated on August 29, 2023 by Lydia Martin

Got a bottle of Grand Marnier? 

Grand Marnier is one of the classic back bar staples that works as a fantastic base to craft a wide variety of cocktails. 

This French liqueur deserves a front-row status because it offers citrus brightness, nutty nuances, and vanilla aromas to cocktails.  

So, what to mix Grand Marnier with? Read on to find out.  

Top 10 Ingredients To Mix With Grand Marnier

10. Vodka 

Vodka is a distilled, clear, and colorless liquor [1] with about 40 to 55 percent alcohol. It mixes great with Grand Marnier because it does not have a definite taste and aroma but is packed with punch. 

Grand Cosmopolitan

Prep Time: 5 mins

Total Time: 5 mins

Ingredients: 

• 1 shot Vodka
• 1 shot Grand Marnier
• 1 ½ shots of Cranberry Juice
• ½ shot of lime juice
• 1 dash Angostura bitters (optional)

Instructions: 

In a cocktail shaker with ice, mix all the ingredients and shake it well. Strain in a chilled martini glass and serve with an orange twist. 

Serving: 1

9. Coffee Liqueur

Coffee Liqueur is earthy, rich, and pleasantly bitter with a slight sweetness. 

“Grand Marnier plays well with a variety of ingredients because of its richness and flavor..”

– Franky Marshall, New York City Bartending Vet. 

B52 Shot

Prep Time: 3 mins

Total Time: 3 mins

Ingredients: 

• 0.5 oz Coffee Liqueur 
• 0.5 oz Irish Cream
• 0.5 oz Grand Marnier

Instructions: 

In a shot glass, add the coffee liqueur, then slowly add the Irish Cream using the back of a spoon. Add Grand Marnier as the last layer on the top. 

Serving: 1

8. White Rum

White rum is light tasting, and you’ll get notes of tropical fruit like banana and coconut, as well as vanilla and clove.

Larchmont

Prep Time: 3 mins

Total Time: 3 mins

Ingredients: 

• 1.5 shot White Rum
• 0.5 shot Grand Marnier
• 0.5 shot Lime juice
• 0.25 shot simple syrup

Instructions: 

Mix all ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake it vigorously. Strain in a coupe glass and serve. 

Serving: 1

7. Prosecco Or Champagne

Prosecco or Champagne is rich in white peach, citrus, cherry, almond, and fresh cream taste, which complements Grand Marnier.

Grand Mimosas

Prep Time: 5 mins

Total Time: 5 mins

Ingredients: 

• 3 oz Grand Marnier
• 1 bottle of Champagne or Prosecco
• 1.5 cups Orange Juice
• 6 orange slices

Instructions: 

In each glass, pour 0.5 oz Grand Marnier, then add 1/2 cup of Champagne or Prosecco. Top it off with ¼ cup orange juice and garnish with an orange slice. 

Serving: 6 

6. Cognac

Cognac is a versatile distilled spirit that can be fruity, sweet, spicy, and bitter. 

Sidecar

Prep Time: 2 mins

Total Time: 2 mins

Ingredients: 

• 1.5 oz Cognac
• 0.75 oz Grand Marnier
• 0.75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
• 1 orange twist (garnish)

Instructions: 

Fill the shaker with ice and combine all the ingredients. Shake it well and strain it in a cocktail glass with a sugar rim. Garnish with an orange twist. 

Serving: 1 

5. Lime Juice

Lime Juice has an acidic and tart taste with a slight hint of sweetness. 

Perfect Storm Cocktail

Prep Time: 3 mins

Total Time: 3 mins

Ingredients: 

• 1.5 oz Grand Marnier
• 0.5 oz Lime Juice
• 3 dashes of aromatic bitters
• 3 oz Ginger Beer
• Lime Wedge

Instructions: 

Pour the ingredients (except ginger beer) into a cocktail shaker and shake it well. Strain in a highball glass with fresh ice and top it off with ginger beer. Garnish with a lime wedge. 

Serving: 1

4. Red Wine

Red wine has a perfect balance of bitterness, sourness, and sweet elements, making a great Sangria with Grand Marnier. 

Sangria with Grand Marnier

Prep Time: 15 mins 

Total Time: 15 mins

Ingredients: 

• 0.25 cup Grand Marnier
• 2 tangerines
• 1 lime (sliced)
• 1 lemon (sliced)
• 1 tbsp sugar
• ½ cup orange juice
• 1 bottle of red wine 

Instructions: 

Mix the ingredients in a large bowl or pitcher and chill it in the fridge for at least two hours. Strain if desired and serve it over ice.

Serving: 6 

3. Aged Rum

When rum is aged in wooden barrels, the oak imparts flavors and color to the spirit [2], resulting in a smoother mouthfeel and rich caramel taste. 

El Presidente Cocktail

Prep Time: 5 mins

Total Time: 5 mins

Ingredients: 

• 1.5 oz Aged Rum
• 1.5 oz Dry Vermouth
• 0.75 oz Grand Marnier
• 1 dash Angostura bitters
• 1 dash of Orange bitters
• 1 Jack Rudy cocktail cherry

Instructions: 

Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake it well. Strain and serve in a glass and garnish with a cherry.

Serving: 1

2. Amaretto

Amaretto has a nutty and sweet flavor that can tame the bite of distilled spirits. 

You can check out the top Amaretto brands here. 

Amaretto Sidecar

Prep Time: 5 mins

Total Time: 5 mins

Ingredients: 

• 1 oz Luxardo Amaretto
• 0.5 oz Fresh lemon juice
• 2 oz Grand Marnier

Instructions: 

Combine all the ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake hard—strain in a martini glass with a sugar rim. 

Serving: 1

1. Tequila

Tequila is sweet, fruity, floral, and smooth. Also, it can be more earthy, herbaceous, and spicy, which can elevate your Grand Marnier cocktails. 

Grand Marnier Tequila Sunrise

Prep Time: 1 min

Total Time: 1 min

Ingredients: 

• 0.75 cup Orange juice
• 0.50 oz Grand Marnier
• 1.50 oz Silver tequila
•  0.50 oz Grenadine
• Maraschino cherries

Instructions: 

Combine all the ingredients (except grenadine) in a shaker with ice and shake it well. Pour into the glass and slowly add the grenadine near the side of the glass. Top it off with cherries. 

Serving: 1

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Grand Marnier cocktails guarantee a great night because it is fruity, flirty, and fun. The French liqueur and its orange flavor profile elevate cocktails. 

Tequila, rum, wines, and brandy mix great with Grand Marnier, so go ahead and try one. 

References:

1. https://www.britannica.com/topic/vodka  
2. https://www.thespruceeats.com/effect-of-aging-on-liquor-759921