Grand Marnier is one of the noble and truly premium liqueurs that has transitioned from the after-dinner sideboard to bartenders' essential. It delivers bright, zippy zestiness, velvety mouthfeel, cognac-laced spirit, and sugary richness to each drink in my selection of the 20 best Grand Marnier cocktails.

Ampersand
With: Old tom gin, cognac, rosso vermouth, Grand Marnier and orange bitters.
We say: A brandy influenced Wet and Sweet Martini.

Apples to Oranges
With: Calvados, bourbon, dry vermouth, Grand Marnier and Combier Elixir.
We say: Spirit-forward and eminently sippable.

Aventura
With: Raspberries, mezcal, Grand Marnier, elderflower liqueur, lime juice, lemon juice and sugar syrup.
We say: Mezcal infused raspberry fruit with citrus aromatised with rich elderflower.

Bijou (inspired by Lawlor's 1895 recipe)
With: Dry gin, Grand Marnier and rosso vermouth.
We say: A gin-based boozy sipper that's medium-dry with honeyed richness.

Burnt Fuselage
With: Cognac, Grand Marnier and dry vermouth.
We say: From Harry MacElhone's 1927 Barflies & Cocktails.

Grand Cosmopolitan
With: Vodka, Grand Marnier, cranberry juice, lime juice and orange bitters.
We say: With the rich notes of Grand Marnier this is indeed a GRAND Cosmo.

Landing Gear
With: Cognac, Grand Marnier, dry vermouth, cherry brandy and maraschino liqueur.
We say:Spiritous and richly fruity with orange and cherry combining harmoniously with cognac.

Larchmont
With: Light rum, Grand Marnier, lime juice and sugar syrup.
We say: A delicate Orange Daiquiri.

Mexico City
With: Reposado tequila, Grand Marnier, lime juice, cranberry juice and sugar syrup.
We say: This pinky-red Margarita benefits from a hint of cranberry.

Olympic
With: Cognac, Grand Marnier and orange juice.
We say: Perfectly balanced cognac and zesty orange.

Orange Brulée
With: Grand Marnier, Amaretto, cognac and cream.
We say: A great-looking, creamy topped after-dinner cocktail.

Palo Negro
With: Reposado tequila, palo cortado sherry, black rum, Grand Marnier and demerara sugar syrup.
We say: A complex, spirit-led, after-dinner/late night sipper.

Parle-vous Irish
With: Cognac, Irish whiskey, Grand Marnier, an Bénédictine.
We say: A cognac and Irish whiskey-based after-dinner sipper.

Peat's Dragon
With: Blended and Speyside single malt Scotch whisky, Grand Marnier, Lillet Blanc, dry vermouth and black pepper.
We say: Rich orange shines through this aromatic whisky-based cocktail.

Playmate Martini
With: Cognac, Grand Marnier, apricot liqueur, orange juice, egg white and aromatic bitters.
We say: Apricot and orange laced with cognac.

Red Lion
With: Dry gin, Grand Marnier, orange juice, lemon juice, grenadine, sugar syrup and orange bitters.
We say: The sophisticated drinker's answer to a gin and juice.

Rosarita Margarita
With: Reposado tequila, Grand Marnier, cranberry juice, lime cordial, lime juice and sugar syrup.
We say: A peachy coloured Margarita with zesty orange and cranberry.

Satan's Whiskers (Straight)
With: Dry gin, dry vermouth, rosso vermouth, Grand Marnier, orange juice and orange bitters.
We say: Dry and citrusy with underlying piney gin and herbal complexity.

Sunray
With: Bourbon, Grand Marnier, Lillet Blanc, Kina aromatised wine and orange juice.
We say: Citrusy, bourbon-laced and gently bittersweet with fresh zippy rich orange.

Yellow Daisy
With: Dry gin, dry vermouth, Grand Marnier and absinthe.
We say: Best shaken not stirred!