Zizi Coin-Coin Cocktail – Classic French Cointreau & Lemon Aperitif
A classic French apéritif made with Cointreau and fresh lemon juice, the Zizi Coin-Coin is bright, boozy, and effortlessly refreshing. This minimalist citrus cocktail is perfect for warm afternoons, casual aperitif hours, or anytime you want bold flavor with zero fuss.
The Zizi Coin-Coin is a classic French citrus cocktail that proves simplicity can still deliver serious flavor. Built with just Cointreau and fresh lemon juice, it’s bright, punchy, and unapologetically liqueur-forward. Served over ice, this refreshing apéritif is quick to mix and easy to love — a go-to for warm weather sipping or effortless pre-dinner drinks.
Background
The Zizi Coin-Coin has long been enjoyed in France as an easygoing apéritif, especially in café and home settings. Its appeal lies in its stripped-down construction: no base spirit, no syrup, and no garnish required. By letting orange liqueur and fresh citrus do all the work, the drink reflects a distinctly French approach to casual, flavor-first drinking.
What You’ll Need
Ingredients
- Cointreau – A refined orange liqueur that provides sweetness, warmth, and citrus depth.
- Fresh Lemon Juice – Bright acidity that sharpens the drink and keeps it refreshing.
Equipment
- Rocks glass
- Bar spoon
Why You’ll Love It
Two Ingredients, Perfect Balance
The Zizi Coin-Coin is bold without being heavy and simple without feeling flat. The orange-forward richness of Cointreau meets lemon’s clean acidity for a drink that’s refreshing, bracing, and surprisingly complex for its size.
Substitutions & Variations
- Swap lemon juice for lime to create a sharper, more angular citrus profile.
- Use triple sec in place of Cointreau for a drier, lighter version.
- Add a small splash of soda water for a subtle spritz without turning it into a highball.
Helpful Tips
- Use plenty of ice to keep the drink cold and controlled.
- Stir gently to avoid over-dilution.
- This cocktail scales easily — batch it in advance and stir over ice just before serving.
Zizi Coin-Coin Recipe
Type of Glass
Rocks Glass
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz.
- 3/4 oz.
Directions
- Fill a rocks glass with ice to thoroughly chill the glass.
- Add Cointreau over the ice.
- Add fresh lemon juice.
- Stir gently until well chilled and properly combined.
- Garnish with a lemon twist or lemon wheel, if desired.
A timeless French classic that proves less really can be more.
