Triple sec is a type of clear, colorless, and sweet orange-flavored liqueur. It is made by combining neutral spirits with orange peel and other botanicals, and then sweetening the mixture with sugar. The term “triple sec” refers to the triple distillation process that was traditionally used to create the liqueur, although most modern versions are not actually triple distilled. Triple sec is typically around 40% ABV (80 proof) and is often used in cocktails as a flavor enhancer and sweetener. It is a common ingredient in many classic cocktails, including the Margarita, Cosmopolitan, and Sidecar. Popular brands of triple sec include Cointreau, Grand Marnier, and Combier.
Triple Sec Cocktail Recipes
Margarita
Ingredients:
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz lime juice
- 1 oz triple sec
- Salt (optional)
Instructions:
- Rim a chilled cocktail glass with salt, if desired.
- Add tequila, lime juice, and triple sec to a shaker with ice.
- Shake well until the outside of the shaker is frosty.
- Strain into the prepared glass over ice.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy!
Cosmopolitan
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz vodka
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- 0.5 oz lime juice
- 0.5 oz triple sec
- Orange peel for garnish
Instructions:
- Add vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, and triple sec to a shaker with ice.
- Shake well until the outside of the shaker is frosty.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with an orange peel and serve.
Sidecar
Ingredients:
- 2 oz cognac or brandy
- 0.75 oz lemon juice
- 0.5 oz triple sec
- Sugar for rimming (optional)
Instructions:
- Rim a chilled cocktail glass with sugar, if desired.
- Add cognac, lemon juice, and triple sec to a shaker with ice.
- Shake well until the outside of the shaker is frosty.
- Strain into the prepared glass.
Note: The above recipes are just a few examples of classic cocktails that use triple sec. The ratios of the ingredients can be adjusted to suit your personal taste.
Spiced Orange Margarita
Ingredients:
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz fresh orange juice
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 0.75 oz triple sec
- 0.25 oz agave syrup
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 slice of fresh ginger
- Orange peel for garnish
Instructions:
- Add the cinnamon stick and fresh ginger to a shaker and muddle.
- Add tequila, orange juice, lime juice, triple sec, agave syrup, and ice to the shaker.
- Shake well until the outside of the shaker is frosty.
- Strain into a glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with an orange peel and enjoy!
Blood Orange Margarita
Ingredients:
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz fresh blood orange juice
- 0.75 oz lime juice
- 0.5 oz triple sec
- 0.25 oz agave syrup
- Salt or Tajín for rimming (optional)
- Blood orange slice for garnish
Instructions:
- Rim a glass with salt or Tajín, if desired.
- Add tequila, blood orange juice, lime juice, triple sec, agave syrup, and ice to a shaker.
- Shake well until the outside of the shaker is frosty.
- Strain into the prepared glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a slice of blood orange and enjoy!
Ginger Peach Bellini
Ingredients:
- 1 oz peach puree
- 0.5 oz ginger liqueur
- 0.25 oz triple sec
- Prosecco or other sparkling wine
- Peach slice for garnish
Instructions:
- Add peach puree, ginger liqueur, and triple sec to a shaker with ice.
- Shake well until the outside of the shaker is frosty.
- Strain into a champagne flute or other tall glass.
- Top with Prosecco or other sparkling wine.
- Garnish with a slice of peach and enjoy!
Chocolate Orange Martini
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz vodka
- 0.75 oz triple sec
- 0.5 oz Godiva Chocolate Liqueur
- 1 oz fresh orange juice
- Orange peel for garnish
Instructions:
- Add vodka, triple sec, chocolate liqueur, and orange juice to a shaker with ice.
- Shake well until the outside of the shaker is frosty.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with an orange peel and enjoy!
Triple Citrus Spritzer
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
- 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
- 0.5 oz triple sec
- Club soda
- Grapefruit wedge for garnish
Instructions:
- Add vodka, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and triple sec to a shaker with ice.
- Shake well until the outside of the shaker is frosty.
- Strain into a glass filled with ice.
- Top with club soda.
- Garnish with a grapefruit wedge and enjoy!
Spicy Triple Sec Margarita
Ingredients:
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 1 oz triple sec
- 0.5 oz jalapeño syrup
- Salt or Tajín for rimming (optional)
- Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions:
- Rim a glass with salt or Tajín, if desired.
- Add tequila, lime juice, triple sec, and jalapeño syrup to a shaker with ice.
- Shake well until the outside of the shaker is frosty.
- Strain into the prepared glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy!
Triple Sec and Pomegranate Fizz
Ingredients:
- 1 oz pomegranate juice
- 0.5 oz triple sec
- 0.25 oz lemon juice
- 2 oz ginger beer
- Pomegranate arils for garnish
Instructions:
- Add pomegranate juice, triple sec, and lemon juice to a glass with ice.
- Stir well.
- Top with ginger beer.
- Garnish with pomegranate arils and enjoy!
About Triple Secs
Origin: Triple sec is a type of orange-flavored liqueur that originated in France in the mid-19th century. The name “triple sec” refers to the triple distillation process used to produce the liqueur.
Ingredients: The primary ingredients in triple sec are neutral grain spirit, orange peel, and sugar. The orange peel is typically sourced from the Caribbean or the Mediterranean region. Some brands may also include additional flavorings or botanicals to enhance the taste.
Flavor: Triple sec has a bright, citrusy flavor with a pronounced orange aroma. The sweetness level can vary depending on the brand, but it is typically moderately sweet.
Proof: The proof of triple sec can range from 60 to 80 (30-40% ABV).
Usage: Triple sec is a versatile ingredient in cocktails and can be used in a wide range of recipes. It is a popular addition to margaritas, cosmopolitans, and many other classic cocktails. Triple sec can also be used as a sweetener or flavor enhancer in non-alcoholic drinks or desserts.
Serving: Triple sec is typically served in small amounts (0.5 to 1 oz) in cocktails. It is often paired with other spirits, such as tequila, vodka, or gin. Triple sec can also be enjoyed on its own as a digestif.
Production: Triple sec is produced by steeping orange peels in neutral grain spirit and then distilling the mixture multiple times. Sugar is added to the distillate to create a sweetened liqueur. The exact production process may vary between brands.
Manufacturer: There are many brands of triple sec available, including Cointreau, Grand Marnier, Bols, Luxardo, Combier.
Variations: There are many variations of triple sec available, including flavored versions that incorporate additional ingredients such as vanilla, cinnamon, or cherry. Some brands also offer higher-end versions of triple sec that are aged in oak barrels for a richer, more complex flavor.
Triple sec is a versatile ingredient that can be mixed with a wide range of spirits and mixers. Some popular pairings include:
- Tequila: Triple sec is a key ingredient in a classic margarita, which also includes tequila and lime juice.
- Vodka: Triple sec can be mixed with vodka and cranberry juice to create a cosmopolitan, or with orange juice to create a screwdriver.
- Gin: Triple sec can be used in place of or in addition to vermouth in a classic martini.
- Rum: Triple sec can be mixed with rum and lime juice to create a daiquiri.
- Champagne: Triple sec can be used in champagne cocktails, such as a French 75 or a mimosa.
Triple sec can also be used as a sweetener or flavor enhancer in non-alcoholic drinks or desserts.