NATIONAL GRAND MARNIER DAY

NATIONAL GRAND MARNIER DAY July 14

Fast Facts

WHEN
Celebrated each year on July 14
WHAT
To recognize a premium liqueur that brings sophisticated citrus notes to both cocktails and desserts.
WHAT IS GRAND MARNIER
Complex liquor with notes of orange blossom and hints of candied peels, oak, vanilla, and hazelnut

NATIONAL GRAND MARNIER DAY

National Grand Marnier Day on July 14 recognizes a premium liqueur that brings sophisticated citrus notes to both cocktails and desserts. Since the 1880s, spirits enthusiasts and pastry chefs alike have been enjoying the fruits of Grand Marnier's exquisite flavor profile.

#NationalGrandMarnierDay

Alexander Marnier-Lapostolle invented the orange liqueur in the 1880s. His grand experiment of pairing rare Caribbean bitter oranges with fine French cognac took 10 years to perfect. When he finally succeeded, Marnier-Lapostolle gave birth to a truly luxurious spirit.

Grand Marnier Mixology

Grand Marnier elevates an array of cocktails, including:

  • Cosmopolitans

  • Margaritas

  • Sidecars

  • B-52s

  • Grand Mimosas

  • Grand Marnier Smashes

  • Grand Hounds

By blending one of the most costly fruits of the era with a deeply complex, aged spirit, the result was nothing short of grand. Not only does it add a vibrant splash of citrus when mixed into drinks and desserts, but high-quality Grand Marnier can also be thoroughly enjoyed neat or on the rocks.

Grand Marnier is a staple in a long list of classic desserts, including liqueur cream buns, Yule logs, cranberry sauces, Crêpes Suzette, and Grand Marnier soufflés or crème brûlées. It also lends its signature depth to savory dishes, most famously acting as the star component in the sauce for the classic French roasted duck dish, Canard à l'Orange.

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL GRAND MARNIER DAY

Celebrating this holiday is all about indulging in the finer flavors of life. Whether you are a home bartender, an aspiring baker, or just looking for an excuse to hosting a gathering, here is how you can participate:

  1. Host a Tasting Party: Gather a few friends and sample Grand Marnier neat to appreciate the complex notes of oak, cognac, and orange peel. You might consider heating it a few sections to bring out the flavor and aroma.

  2. Shake Up a Classic: Elevate your standard drink by swapping out your usual orange liqueur for Grand Marnier for a top-shelf Cadillac Margarita or a perfectly balanced Sidecar.

  3. Bake an Elegant Dessert: Try your hand at a flambéed batch of Crêpes Suzette or a rising Grand Marnier soufflé. The heat will cook off the alcohol, leaving an intensely rich, aromatic orange flavor.

  4. Level Up Your Savory Cooking: Add a splash of Grand Marnier to a summer marinade for chicken. Or use it to deglaze the pan you fried your pork chops in and pour over the chops for a delicious sauce.

  5. Share the Celebration: Share you photos and recipes on social media using the hashtag #NationalGrandMarnierDay.

NATIONAL GRAND MARNIER DAY HISTORY

While the world happily partakes in the celebration, the original creator of National Grand Marnier Day remains unknown. However, the rich history of the Marnier-Lapostolle family ensures there is plenty of heritage to celebrate every July 14th.