Cucumber Cointreau Spritz Recipe with St Germain (Newport Beach Water)

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This Cucumber Cointreau Spritz recipe is full of floral and citrus flavors, balanced by fresh, mild muddled cucumbers. It is the perfect cocktail for springtime brunch, comes together in just a few minutes, and is easy enough for even those just getting started with cocktails!

A large wine glass filled with a Cointreau prosecco cocktail on top of a blue striped towel. — Let’s make this super easy and refreshing Cointreau Spritz recipe!

You’ll love this champagne cocktail recipe

This Cointreau prosecco cocktail is such a perfect drink for spring. Lately, I’ve been on a St Germain cocktails kick since I have a bottle on my home bar and want to know how to get my money’s worth.

When paired with citrus-flavored Cointreau and fresh orange juice you get a bright spritzer with floral undertones thanks to the St Germain.

Related post: Aperol Spritz Cocktail

With sparkling wine, this easy-to-make drink is refreshing and something l crave when the weather turns warm.

Serve it for brunch or a girls’ day sipping spritzes poolside.

Ingredients

Use your favorite prosecco (I used Ruffino – it’s a great price point and easy to find) or a sparkling wine you have on hand.

You can use champagne or cava if you already have one of those at home. I like to use something that is a little on the dry side, but if you like sweeter, that works just as well.

Cointreau is deliciously balanced between bitter and sweet which means it pairs well with sweet florals and earthy fresh herbs like the thyme I used here. There is nothing better than a cocktail with Cointreau in the summertime.

If you don’t have Cointreau you can substitute Grand Marnier (pricier) or Triple Sec (less expensive) or another orange liqueur. All of these will add an orange flavor but will differ slightly in taste.

St Germain elderflower liqueur is floral and sweet. I find it hard to get a bold elderflower taste when using this because if you add more, you also make it sweeter.

If you can’t find St Germain or don’t have it, you can buy a mini-bar-sized bottle from Total Wine or buy a non-alcoholic elderflower cordial.

See the printable recipe card for quantities and the full recipe.

How to Make this St Germain Cocktail with Cointreau

A woman adding cucumber slices to a wine glass filled with ice and citrus slices.

Step 1

Start by peeling and slicing your cucumber into medallions. Slice your orange in half and use one side for fresh orange juice. Slice the remaining half into thin slices to add to your glass.

Step 2

To a wine glass (or spritz glass as I’ve used here), add 3 cucumber slices, and the freshly squeezed orange juice. Muddle the cucumber and let sit for 3 minutes.

Step 3

Add ice to your glass. Then add a few small slices of cucumber and oranges. I like to add some thyme sprigs in as well.

Woman adding Cointreau to a measuring cup.

Step 4

Add Cointreau.

That measuring cup makes it SO easy. I use it to make pretty much all of my cocktails. But you can eyeball it too.

Woman adding St Germain to a Cointreau cocktail.

Step 5

Add St Germain.

Woman adding prosecco to a Cointreau Spritz recipe.

Step 6

Add prosecco and give it a gentle stir.

Variations

Less boozy – To make it a little less boozy and (even more perfect for day drinking) you can cut the prosecco or champagne with club soda or leave it out altogether.
Berry – Add even more flavor with some fresh berries (strawberry and raspberry would be delish)! Muddle them along with the cucumber for a fun pink color and a burst of berry flavor.
Spicy – There’s something about a spicy spritz that I LOVE! Muddle a few fresh jalapeno slices along with the cucumbers for a little kick.
Ginger – The cucumber and orange flavors would go super well with some fresh ginger. Muddle it ahead of time or add a splash of ginger liqueur (if you already have it) or a splash of ginger juice.

Tools

Here are the tools to make this cocktail with Cointreau.

Tips

You can muddle a sprig of thyme in with the cucumber and orange juice for a little extra herbal flavor.
The amount of prosecco may vary depending on the size of the glass you use.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cointreau taste like?

Cointreau has a bright and crisp orange flavor and while it does add sweetness, it’s not super sugary in taste.

Is Cointreau the same as Aperol?

Cointreau and Aperol both have orange flavors but they aren’t super similar. Aperol is much more bitter and has other tart flavors in it. Cointreau, on the other hand, is pretty straightforward with the orange flavor and accents a drink well with a hit of citrus. You could use Aperol in this recipe since it is slightly similar to an Aperol Spritz, but the flavor would most likely overpower the cucumber and thyme.

Should I keep Cointreau in the fridge?

You don’t have to keep Cointreau in the fridge. Mine is kept in my bar cupboard and still tastes delicious. It used to take me a while to get through a bottle (it lasts for quite a while – I’m talking years) but now I buy a new bottle just about every year because of margarita season (it’s an essential ingredient!)

A Cointreau cocktail with cucumber and St Germain next to a bottle of St Germain, all on top of a marble and wood serving board with a blue towel.

What inspired this Newport Beach Water Cocktail

Long story, short. My husband was on a business trip in Newport, Rhode Island and had a champagne spritz called “Newport Water”. He raved about it and told me we had to recreate it when he got home.

The original Newport Water is made with Tattinger champagne, Grand Marnier and St. Germain.

Since we live about 20 minutes from Newport Beach, CA we decided to make a west coast version. So now we call this Cointreau spritz recipe, Newport Beach Water.

I changed up the ingredients a bit (I love a cocktail with cucumber!) and created my own St Germain cocktail inspired by a popular east coast drink.

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More easy spritz cocktail Recipes

A Cointreau spritz recipe in a large wine glass and next to a bottle of St Germain on top of a blue towel and wood and marble serving tray.

Cointreau Prosecco Cocktail

This refreshing Cointreau Spritz Recipe with prosecco is crazy easy to make at home. The fresh cucumber and thyme add delicious flavors that complement the floral elderflower liqueur. You will sip these all spring and summer long.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate Save

Course: cocktails

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10

Total Time: 10

Servings: cocktail

Calories: 473kcal

Author: Sharon Garofalow

Equipment

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muddler
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Cocktail Jigger or liquid measuring cup
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Bar spoon

Ingredients

Instructions

Peel and slice a cucumber into medallions and slice the orange in half.
Juice half of the orange and set aside.
Cut the remaining half of the orange into thin slices.
To a wine glass, add 3 cucumber slices and the juice from your orange. Muddle the cucumber and let sit for 3 minutes.
Add ice.
Add a few more cucumber slices, a few orange slices and a sprig of thyme to the glass.
Add Cointreau, St Germain and prosecco.
Give it a gentle stir.

Notes

You can muddle a sprig of thyme in with the cucumber for a little extra flavor.

The amount of prosecco may vary depending on the size of the glass you use.

For this Cointreau Spritz, you can use any type of sparkling wine. While I like to use Prosecco, you can also use champagne or cava or something made in the method of.