Cointreau proves it’s more than a mixer at La Maison Cointreau in Dallas

A couple of nights ago, the Hatch was transported to a different era for a few hours at the exclusive Dallas debut of La Maison Cointreau, a true cocktail experience highlighting the French liqueur’s place in classic and modern cocktail history. Media types and local VIPs were invited to explore the fabulous Aldredge House, in the historic Swiss Avenue District of Dallas, while sampling a mix of classic and modern Cointreau cocktails.

While we Texans recognize the orange liqueur as an ingredient in one state’s favorite cocktail, the Margarita, the evening event proved that you can make a delicious cocktail with nothing more than Cointreau, lemon juice, some crushed strawberries and a dash of club soda.

Sixth-generation Cointreau family member Alfred Cointreau and the rest of the brand’s brain trust are taking their knowledge and passion for all things Cointreau across the country, coming here from New York then moving on to LA and San Francisco next week, introducing guests to delicious concoctions made with Cointreau and how easy it is to make them

Visitors were greeted at the front door by mistresses wearing vintage-chic garments, including black stockings and top hats.  Once inside, guests could mingle while sipping on a Devil’s Own cocktail and tour several elaborately decorated rooms that blended 19^th Century French charm with the stately elegance of a vintage Southern mansion.

Alfred Cointreau set up shop in the library with a collection of rare first-edition and historic cocktail books, dating back to the mid-1800s, to educate guests on the Cointreau’ s rich history, which began in Angers, France in 1849.

The kitchen served as the Cocktail Lab for Cointreau’s “master mixologist,” Kyle Ford. Ford, looking dapper in an aptly-colored orange sport coat, gave hands-on cocktail making lessons while pontificating on cocktail essentials like the importance of only using freshly squeezed lemon juice when making a classic a Side Car.

After a couple of hours of exploration, guests were ushered outside to the backyard where rows of white chairs were assembled under an overcast sky and white paper lanterns strung from the trees, for musical performances by French singer/accordionist Nicole Renaud, chanteuse Lady Rizo, and glass player Johnny Rodgers. Renaud and Rodgers gave solid performances, but Lady Rizo stole the show with throaty songs crooned in English, Spanish and French.

After visiting New York and Dallas, La Maison Cointreau will conclude its country-wide tour in Los Angeles (November 5, 7, 8) and San Francisco (November 13-15).