Grand Marnier®'s origins date back to 19th century France. Bitter orange peels are added to a cognac brandy base along with spices and vanilla. It is then sweetened with a sugar syrup to produce an orange-flavored liqueur and aged in oak barrels to mellow the liqueur before bottling. Grand Marnier® boasts of being the first liqueur to be exported from France. This liqueur is amber in color with a distinct orange flavor which lends itself to many cooking applications.