Toast Bastille Day in French Style with the 1789 Smash Cocktail

If you’ve seen the iconic red-ribboned bottle behind your favorite bar but never tasted Grand Marnier, Bastille Day on July 14 is a perfect time to treat your palate to this French classique.

Grand Marnier is a blend of 51% Cognac and 49% distilled essence of bitter Caribbean oranges (a variety called Citrus bigaradia). The Cognac is double-distilled then aged in oak casks before being blended with the orange essence.

Sip it neat in a snifter or on the rocks. Or for a midsummer refresher try the 1789 Smash, created by mixologist Glendon Hartley of Service Bar in Washington, D.C.

• 1.5 oz. Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge
• 4 tbsp. Lemon Sorbet
• 6 Mint Leaves
• 1 Kumquat or a segment of a mandarin orange

Muddle sorbet and mint leaves in a glass; add Grand Marnier and stir with crushed ice to dilute; top off with more crushed ice; garnish with mint sprig and kumquat or mandarin orange segment.