Homemade Grand Marnier Recipe

Ingredients for Homemade Grand Marnier

• Orange Zest
• Granulated Sugar
• 4 cups good quality cognac
• Glycerine

How to Make Homemade Grand Marnier

1. Using a microplane or fine grater, zest 10 large oranges. You should have about 2 cups of zest.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the orange zest and 2 cups of granulated sugar.
3. Mash the zest and sugar together thoroughly using the back of a wooden spoon or a muddler until the sugar is completely absorbed by the zest and the mixture is fragrant. This may take 5-10 minutes of vigorous mashing.
4. Transfer the zest-sugar mixture to a clean, airtight glass container (a large jar works well).
5. Add 4 cups of cognac to the jar. If using, add 1/2 cup of orange blossom water.
6. Stir well to combine, ensuring all the zest and sugar are incorporated into the cognac.
7. Seal the jar tightly and store it in a cool, dark place for 2-3 months. Shake the jar gently once a month during this initial aging period.
8. After the initial 2-3 month aging, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter to remove any solids. You can also use a cheesecloth-lined funnel for easier filtering.
9. Stir the strained liqueur gently with a wooden spoon to combine.
10. Transfer the filtered liqueur to a clean glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid or cork. Seal tightly.
11. Allow it to age for an additional 3 months in a cool, dark place before serving. The flavor will deepen and mellow during this time.