Cointreau & sustainability – from the orange grove to the cocktail glass

Conceived in 1849 by the creative mind of a visionary, Édouard Cointreau, Cointreau orange liqueur has endured for centuries whilst remaining true to itself. The excellence of  Cointreau would not be possible without concrete action in the field of corporate and environmental responsibility, from the orange groves through to the cocktail glass.

Every day since the House’s creation, the same techniques have been passed down and repeated. From the selection of orange peels, chosen for the organoleptic qualities of their essences; to the harmonious blending of ingredients to achieve the ideal aromatic balance; to the grand finale, the distillation in 19 custom copper alembics just like those used by Édouard Cointreau over a century ago.

By supporting our sweet and bitter orange tree producers, by helping them to adopt sustainable practices and by encouraging research, we are committed to protecting the very essence of our terroirs.

Today, our sweet and bitter orange trees cultivated for the House of Cointreau are “Global G.A.P” (Good Agricultural Practices, promoting safe and sustainable farming practices throughout the world) or “Rainforest Alliance” certified. Rainforest Alliance certification means that our orange trees are produced by farmers and/or companies working together to protect nature and create a more sustainable world. Our aim is to achieve 100% certification in 2025.

This initiative also includes investments in two research programs in collaboration with the public research institutes INRAE[i] and CIRAD[ii]. This research relates to the protection and adaptation of sweet and bitter orange trees in response to climate change, their resistance to new diseases and the preservation of plant diversity.

By protecting its terroirs, the House of Cointreau ensures the conservation of balanced soil and guarantees that the sweet and bitter orange trees necessary for the production of Cointreau liqueur remain healthy, today and for future generations.

Cointreau’s expertise is handed down from one generation to the next – a heritage that requires us to lead by example both in conserving natural resources, and in combatting climate change with an ongoing effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To protect this expertise and tackle current challenges, the House of Cointreau relies on the principle of the circular economy[i]: reduce, reuse, recycle.

On the production site, this particularly includes several initiatives such as conserving water resources.

Since 1997, water consumption has been reduced by 45%^iv. At that time, 1.8 litres of water were needed to produce 1 litre of liqueur; today, the ratio is 1 litre of water for 1 litre of liqueur.

To carry our story forward, we are amplifying the responsible commitments guiding our practices. Cointreau is committed to an ongoing improvement drive in collaboration with Rémy Cointreau Group and all stakeholders.

We preserve terroirs. We cherish people. We respect time.

Today and for tomorrow, from fact to acts, we distill our actions in a positive and honest way, drawing on our core values to implement change. From the orange grove to the cocktail glass, every step we take seeks to preserve and extend the remarkable legacy of Édouard Cointreau by helping to ensure a more sustainable future for all.  

^[4] Excluding process water (water used in industrial plants for the operation of a process or the manufacture of a product.)

[5] Cf lexicon

[6] IWSR2021/2022