(Singapore, September 2026) Cointreau is known as a sweet orange liqueur. Generally, not consumed on its own. Most often mixed in a cocktail it is a popular drink.  After being around for over 140 years Cointreau is turning up the heat in Singapore with the launch of Cointreau Spicy, a brand-new expression of the iconic orange liqueur. The new drink is crafted with a natural chilli kick. Built for Spicy Margaritas, flavour-forward highballs and bold twists on classic cocktails, the new release reflects the growing appetite for spicy flavours and the continued rise of spicy cocktails. 

To mark the launch, Cointreau hosted an evening at Yardbird Southern Table & Bar on Friday, 18 September 2026. Guests enjoyed an evening of live DJ entertainment, $10 spicy cocktails, including the Mango Spicy cocktail and fiery takes of the Paloma, Highball and Margarita, alongside flavourful Pork Belly or Spicy Shrimp tacos at $8. Guests were able to put their spice tolerance to the test in a hot wings competition. As my tolerance for spice doesn’t match Singaporeans, I gave the event a pass.

Yardbird Southern Table & Bar

I enjoyed the ambience of Yardbird Southern Table & Bar in Marina Bay Sands – once I found the outlet. It is located at 10 Bayfront Ave, B1-07 & #01-82 The Shoppes, Marina Bay Sands. I missed it when I passed on Level 1 but found the information booth at the end of the mall. I was directed to go downstairs, and I would find it on my left. I went down one level and with its bold signs it was easy to find, but then I was directed up a flight of stairs to Level 1, where the event was held. I checked the front on #01 and the signs were small and from the opposite side of the mall difficult to spot. But once I was settled in I enjoyed the openness of the setting. On a comfortable afternoon I took in the views of the promenade, across Marina Bay to the city skyline.

 My first appetizer was the ‘Smashed Potatoes’.  (pictured left) The taco was wrapped in corn tortilla, smashed potato, cheddar and salsa ranchero. This went well with the Spicy Margarita that is a combination of Cointreau Spicy, Tequila, Lime and Tajin (Mexican chili-lime seasoning).

According to Cointreau's international research, consumers are increasingly embracing spice as an everyday flavour, with 76% consuming spicy flavours at least occasionally and 63% doing so every week. The findings also reveal that consumers are seeking balance over intensity, with nearly two-thirds (64%) preferring balanced spice over heat.

I am amongst the 64% but when I was served the Spicy Highball (Cointreau Spicy, Lemon Juice and soda) I found that it was on the hot side, but I liked it.

Cointreau Spicy is crafted from a new Cointreau orange liqueur (30% ABV), infused with Bird’s Eye chilli through maceration and natural chilli and jalapeño flavourings. A touch of natural cucumber adds fresh, vegetal “green” notes, creating a profile that is bold yet clean, lifted and balanced. It delivers a warming spice that lifts without overpowering, keeping spicy serves effortless and accessible.

Noting what other guests were eating my second taco appetizer was the Pork Belly Taco. I was impressed – not only with the taste but I expected the soft taco to fall apart when I ate it. It didn’t. It was masterful in how it held together.

The launch also comes at a time when the Spicy Margarita continues to gain momentum globally. The Original Margarita remains one of the world’s most popular cocktails and is currently ranked as the second most ordered on-trade globally, while the Spicy Margarita continues to rise, now sitting at No.9 in Difford’s Top 100 Cocktails. The launch of Cointreau Spicy makes it easier than ever to dial up flavour and recreate popular serves at home or enjoy them when out. Whether it's a Spicy Highball with friends, a Spicy Mango Margarita at a party, a chilli twist on a Paloma at the bar, or a simple shot with lime and salt, Cointreau Spicy opens up new ways to explore flavour-led cocktails.

Spicy Paloma was also on offer at the launch, with Cointreau Spicy of course, Lemon Juice and Grapefruit Soda. Easy to recommend. As I am not a fan of mango I asked if I could have Cointreau Spicy straight up. This was met with disbelief and several questions about whether or not I really wanted it. The wait staff brought me a small glass of Cointreau Spicy, a large glass of water and told me a paramedic was on standby. 

I enjoyed the drink, along with long sips of cold water. If you are in the mood for a shot, straight up, there are many other better choices. But it wasn’t the killer I thought it would be. Much better in a cocktail. 

Rooted in more than 175 years of craftsmanship, Cointreau Spicy stays true to the original recipe created by Édouard Cointreau in 1875 while introducing a confident new edge for today’s cocktail culture. As the sixth Master Distiller in Cointreau’s history, Carole Quinton continues to protect the delicate balance of 2 Difford’s Guide 1 Drinks International sweet and bitter orange peels that defines Cointreau, while exploring new expressions shaped by contemporary tastes.

Carole Quinton, Master Distiller at Cointreau, says, “For Cointreau Spicy, me and my team wanted to capture a real sense of warmth and intensity through natural chilli, whilst preserving the bright orange signature that defines Cointreau. It’s vibrant, bold and made to elevate the Spicy Margarita - but it’s also incredibly versatile, from cocktails to simple shots. It’s all about bringing people together through flavour.”

Cointreau’s campaign imagery brings the heat to life visually, using thermal-inspired effects to echo the intensity of Cointreau Spicy and keep the Margarita firmly at the heart of the story. The pack design is intentionally bold, with repeated “SPICY” cues to clearly signal the flavour profile, while retaining the Maison’s iconic square silhouette and amber bottle - a direct link to Cointreau L’Unique and its established savoir-faire.

Cointreau Spicy is available in Singapore, both in-store and online, at Cold Storage and Cellarbration. The latter includes a Cointreau twin bundle deal, which comes with a complimentary Cointreau Margarita glass with each purchase.

From September to October 2026, guests can enjoy Cointreau Spicy cocktails across 15 outlets islandwide, including Mars Bar, The Bar at 15 Stamford, Mnemonic Brew & Craft and Flying Squirrel. The celebrations continued at Canning Bar & Lounge, with a Cointreau guest shift featuring Bangkok’s social club, The Consul, on 17 September. Limited-edition Cointreau merchandise will also be redeemable via scratch cards, with every purchase of Cointreau Spicy cocktails at Papi’s Tacos’ outlets in Tanjong Pagar, Jalan Besar, Seah Street and Katong. Travellers who purchase a Cointreau Spicy bottle at the airport can also redeem a complimentary Spicy Margarita at the rooftop Mexican bar, EL CHIDO in Pullman Singapore Hill Street. The bar will also be running a three-month Cointreau Spicy cocktail offer.

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