No glass required

Grand Marnier has teamed up with international pastry stars François Payard and Nicolas Boussin to release the first luxury Grand Marnier Cocktail Macaroons, inspired by four signature Grand Marnier cocktails: the Grand Cosmo, the Grand Margarita, the Grand Mojito and the Orange Crush.

As of mid-September, the macaroons will be available at Payard Pâtisserie & Bistro in New York and for national holiday gift shipment.

"I am thrilled to be part of this marriage between pastry and mixology," says François Payard, a third generation Pâtissier, and Owner of Payard Pâtisserie & Bistro in New York, Las Vegas, Japan and Brazil. "Like a luxury cocktail, the macaroon is a delicacy, an art form renowned for its sublime flavor, vivid color and unique texture. Grand Marnier has long been a treasured ingredient to my trade, but the incorporation of the cocktail element is something completely new which we are proud to debut."

Host of the trend-setting Mixology Summit each year, Grand Marnier is at the forefront of exploring inspired new forms in cocktails (sometimes termed 'molecular mixology').

The Grand Marnier Cocktail Macaroon is an edible cocktail; the external pastry acts like the garnish to complement the specific flavor notes and ingredients associated with each drink, while the interior cocktail gelée made from Grand Marnier and other spirits releases the essence of the drink in a unique, unexpected way.

"We've thrown out the rule book in mixology and have embraced creativity on an entirely new scale," states Juan C. Iglesias, Business Director Grand Marnier Group/Moët Hennessy USA. "The Cocktail Macaroon delivers the fine character of a Grand Marnier cocktail in a stylish, original way which both epicureans and cocktail connoisseurs can enjoy."

With each box of macaroons, Grand Marnier will provide the consumer with the drink recipes which inspired the Cocktail Macaroons. The macaroons come in four flavors - the Grand Cosmo, the Grand Margarita, the Grand Mojito and the Orange Crush - and can be purchased at Payard Pâtisserie & Bistro in New York or in a gift box featuring all four types for $18.

Grand Marnier was created in 1880 by Louis-Alexandre Marnier-Lapostolle. Grand Marnier retails at $38 per 750-ml bottle, and is also available in two higher marques: the Grand Marnier Cuvée du Centenaire ($155) and the Grand Marnier Cuvée du Cent Cinquantenaire ($240).