Combier Orange Liqueur? Mais, oui!

When Scott Goldman left the U.S. in 2002 to play professional hockey in France’s Loire Valley, he got more than he bargained for.  Upon instantly falling in love with the region, people and culture, Not long after his arrival, Goldman discovered La Maison de Combier, on the banks of the Loire in the village of Saumur, and made it his mission to import it to the U.S.

Combier was founded in 1834, and the same copper pot stills are used today in making the liqueur, spirits and liqueurs.  I was sent a mini of the Combier orange liqueur, which tastes quite fresh and would be super in a margarita, for example – and I used my sample to try a variation on an Aviation cocktail.  (I substituted the maraschino liqueur with the Combier orange liqueur and used a citrusy gin.)  The effect was quite refreshing.

Following its debut in New York and Pennsylvania in 2008, Combier is now available, nationwide and retails for $39.99 per 750 ml bottle.