Perfect Storm Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 07/13/22
Grand Marnier's Perfect Storm Cocktail Recipe

The Spruce Eats / Grand Marnier

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

The perfect storm is Grand Marnier's answer to the dark and stormy cocktail. A departure from the bright and flavorful Caribbean rum drink, our perfect storm has a deep and fruity bitterness thanks to the orange liqueur but also an invigorating reminiscence to a Moscow mule. Incredibly simple to mix, this is perfect for anyone who loves ginger beer and rum flavors, and it's also fun to mix in front of your guests because a temporary "storm" happens in the glass as you pour the beer, so take a minute to enjoy the effect.

This recipe is not much different than more famous ginger beer cocktails. The main difference is that the base spirit switches from rum or vodka to the popular orange liqueur. It adds a sweet touch, which is astounding against a spicy ginger beer. The lime and bitters accents finish off the drink perfectly, leaving you with a tasty sipper that's guaranteed to rejuvenate your taste buds.

As the beer is key to the overall flavor, to get the best tasting perfect storm, choose a great ginger beer. There are many options, including favorites like Barritt's and Bundaberg as well as those made specifically for mixed drinks such as Fever-Tree and Q Ginger Beer. For the spiciest ginger, look for a bottle of Brooklyn Crafted.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a cocktail shaker, pour the orange liqueur, lime juice, and bitters in a mixing glass.

  3. Add ice and shake vigorously. If you don't have a cocktail shaker, simply build the ingredients directly in the serving glass. Although the shaking is nice, it isn't necessary.

  4. Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.

  5. Top with ginger beer and swirl it quickly to stir.

  6. Garnish with a lime wedge. Serve immediately.

  7. Enjoy.

Party Storm

The perfect storm is a fabulous drink to mix up by the pitcher, and it would be a great addition to a backyard barbecue or summer gathering. Simply increase each of the ingredients in proportion for the number of drinks you need—or to fill the pitcher. Stir and serve over ice. You can even make a base mix of Grand Marnier and lime juice, then add the ginger beer in the serving glasses, letting each guest add as much they like to suit their taste.

What are bitters?

Originally advertised as pseudo-medicine concoctions, bitters became a key addition in cocktail preparations as their bold flavor was used to balance out other profiles, like sweet or sour, in the different beverages. Usually made out of herbs, barks, roots, and fruit peels, bitters are made when clear alcohol is infused with such ingredients, although technically, bitters aren't considered an alcoholic beverage—mainly because you won't drink it by the glass but use a drop or two.

How Strong Is a Perfect Storm?

Grand Marnier may be a sweet liqueur, but it's bottled at 80 proof, so it's just as strong as the average rum or vodka. That means the perfect storm may be a little stronger than you think, but it's still not bad. Though it will vary depending on how much ginger beer you pour, the drink mixes up to a pleasant 10 percent ABV (20 proof). It's like drinking a glass of wine, just far more flavorful!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
206 Calories
0g Fat
31g Carbs
1g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 206
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 9mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 31g 11%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 24g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 24mg 121%
Calcium 27mg 2%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 88mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)