Grand St. Tropez

I love Grand Marnier. So it's no surprise that Grand Marnier's ads catch my attention. Were I not a a fan of Grand Marnier, the ads still would grab my attention because they appeals to my fantasy alternate life in a parallel illustrated universe (all the best parallel universes are illustrated) wherein I make regular jaunts to my place on the French Riviera. My alternate life also happens to take place in a version of the French Riviera that is eternally a blend of the mid-1950s - early 1970s. So the Shag-esque animation of the ads aptly captures my fantasy alternate life. (I am also thin, chic, eternally ageless, may or may not be involved in international espionage and have an extensive wardrobe of expensive scarves and know how to wear them as well as I know how to wear my air of mystery in my fantasy alternate life.) The ads have captured the imagination of a lot of viewers, perhaps because a lot of people have fantasy alternate lives in parallel universes like mine, or, because it features a cocktail recipe that promises to transport imbibers to a fantasy alternative life like mine. 

The recipe flashes by in the ad rather quickly, but fear not, Mistress Mix is here to help. It's a ridiculously easy cocktail to mix and offers refined, sophisticated refreshment. 

Grand Tropez

1½ oz. Grand Marnier
3½ oz. Club Soda
Juice of 2 Lemon Wedges

Pour over ice into a rocks glass and garnish with a lemon or orange wedge.

Ta-dah! That's it.

Extravagance need not be extravagant.

I also have another Grand Marnier summer cocktail that adds a juicier twist to the usual Grand Marnier cocktails.

Grand Tropical

1½ oz Grand Marnier
1½ oz pineapple juice
1½ oz orange juice
1 dash lemon juice
Ice

Add all ingredients (including ice) in a shaker. Martini shake with ice and strain into a rocks glass.

However.

It should be noted that their is a drink called a St. Tropez. (Bronzing lotion is not an ingredient.) I was going to save this for a Bastille Day post, but since we're talking about the French Riviera and the Grand Tropez recipe, it requires a mention here.

The St. Tropez drink is a Dubonnet-based drink and, like the Grand Marnier version, it's very quick and easy to make.

St. Tropez
What you'll need:
2 oz. Dubonnet Rouge
2 oz. Orange Juice
Crushed Ice
Orange peel twist

How you'll build it:
Pour ingredients, including ice, into shaker. Roll to blend and pour into rocks glass.


Okay, since we're already in the Riviera drinking Grand Marnier and Dubonnet, why not combine everything into one cocktail?! 

Riviera
What you'll need:

1 1/2 oz. Dubonnet Rouge
1/2 oz. Grand Marnier
1 oz. Fresh Squeezed Blood Orange Juice
Ice
Orange Slice


How you'll build it:
Add all ingredients (including ice) in a shaker. Martini shake. Strain contents into a martini glass. Garnish with orange slice.