How to Make Cafe Cointreau, the Classic French Coffee Cocktail

If you’ve ever wondered how to make the classic French coffee cocktail Cafe Cointreau—or why bars in Paris serve it with a float of whipped cream—you’re not alone. This isn’t just coffee with booze poured in. It’s a balanced mix of strong coffee, sweet liqueur, and creamy contrast. Here’s exactly how it’s done, ingredient by ingredient.

To make Cafe Cointreau, combine 100cc of dark roasted coffee with 20cc of Cointreau, then top with 20cc of stirred whipped cream. That’s the full formula, used in bars around Paris’s Montparnasse district and inspired by the western French region of Angers where Cointreau originates.

What Is Cafe Cointreau?

Cafe Cointreau is a traditional French coffee drink that blends freshly brewed dark roast coffee with Cointreau, a French citrus-flavored liqueur, and is finished with a layer of stirred whipped cream. It’s especially associated with the Angers region, where Cointreau is produced, and is a staple in certain Parisian bars.

What’s in Cafe Cointreau? The Exact Recipe

The Cafe Cointreau recipe is simple but specific:

• Dark roasted coffee: 100cc (approximately 3.4 fl oz)
• Cointreau (French citrus liqueur): 20cc (approximately 0.68 fl oz)
• Stirred whipped cream (often called “stirred cream” in translations): 20cc (approximately 0.68 fl oz)

Why These Ratios and Ingredients Matter

The balance of a strong dark coffee with 20% of its volume in Cointreau creates a subtle sweetness and citrus aroma without overpowering the roast. The 20cc of stirred whipped cream adds a silky texture and visual contrast—but it’s not a float. It’s stirred in gently atop the coffee and liqueur mix. This method is favored in the region of Angers and mirrored in Montparnasse-area bars.

Cointreau: The French Liqueur Behind the Drink

Cointreau is a type of white curaçao—a clear, orange-flavored liqueur made from sweet and bitter orange peels. It originates from the western French region of Angers, where mixing it into coffee is a local custom. Its sweet, citrusy profile complements dark roasted coffee well, making it a preferred choice over other liqueurs in this style of drink.

How to Make Cafe Cointreau – Step by Step

1. Brew 100cc of dark roasted coffee using your preferred method (e.g., pour-over, French press, or espresso).
2. Pour the freshly brewed coffee into a serving cup.
3. Add 20cc of Cointreau directly into the coffee and stir briefly to combine.
4. Top with 20cc of stirred whipped cream. Do not float it—gently mix or layer it on top as preferred.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Don’t use a light or medium roast coffee—the flavor won’t stand up to the liqueur.
• Avoid substituting Cointreau with other orange liqueurs unless you’re familiar with their sugar and bitterness balance.
• Don’t whip the cream into a mousse or use it as a float—stirred cream is the traditional preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cafe Cointreau?

Cafe Cointreau is a French coffee cocktail made with 100cc of dark roasted coffee, 20cc of Cointreau (a French citrus liqueur), and 20cc of stirred whipped cream. It’s traditionally served in Parisian bars and originates from the Angers region where Cointreau is produced.

What kind of coffee should I use for Cafe Cointreau?

Use a dark roasted coffee—typically around 100cc in volume. A lighter roast won’t provide enough body or roast flavor to balance the Cointreau and cream.

Can I use a different liqueur instead of Cointreau?

You can, but Cointreau is specifically a clear, balanced orange liqueur made from sweet and bitter orange peels. Other orange liqueurs may be sweeter or more bitter, altering the intended flavor profile.

Should the whipped cream be floated or stirred in?

Traditionally, the 20cc of whipped cream is stirred into the coffee and liqueur mixture, not floated. It is sometimes lightly layered or mixed depending on preference, but it is not a mousse-like float.

Where is Cafe Cointreau from?

Cafe Cointreau originates from the Angers region in western France, where Cointreau is produced. It’s also commonly served in bars around Paris’s Montparnasse district.

What is stirred whipped cream?

Stirred whipped cream refers to softly whipped cream that is gently mixed or folded into the coffee rather than floated on top in a thick layer. In this recipe, 20cc is added on top and typically stirred in or layered lightly.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Cafe Cointreau

For Cafe Cointreau, we recommend FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for its bright citrus and floral tones that play well with the orange liqueur, or their Yirgacheffe for a juicy, berry-forward contrast. Alternatively, try the Classic Blend for a balanced medium-dark roast that holds up to the Cointreau. All three beans deliver the roast depth and clarity needed for this French-style coffee cocktail. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.