Triple Sec
Also known as: Cointreau, Grand Marnier, Combier
The orange liqueur behind some of the world’s most beloved cocktails — from the Margarita to the Cosmopolitan.
What is Triple Sec?
Triple sec is a sweet, orange-flavoured liqueur made from the dried peel of both sweet and bitter oranges. It was first developed in France in the 19th century — Combier claims to have invented it in 1834, though Cointreau makes the same claim — and has since become one of the most widely used liqueurs in the world. If you’ve ever had a Margarita, a Cosmopolitan, or a Long Island Iced Tea, you’ve tasted triple sec.
The name itself is a little misleading. “Triple” refers to the triple distillation process used in production, while “sec” is French for dry — yet the resulting liquid is distinctly sweet. The theory is that it was considered drier than the curacao-style liqueurs that came before it, rather than dry in the wine or spirits sense. For a deeper look at how it fits into the wider world of orange liqueurs, our triple sec guide and orange liqueur explainer cover the full picture.
Triple sec sits in the modifier category — it’s rarely drunk alone, but it’s indispensable behind the bar. A splash of it lifts the citrus character of almost any cocktail, adds a little sweetness without being cloying, and bridges the gap between spirit and sour with real elegance.
Flavour Profile
ABV by brand
The Main Brands: What’s the Difference?
Triple sec isn’t a single product — it’s a category, and the quality gap between a budget bottle and a premium brand is significant. Here’s how the main options stack up.
Bols Triple Sec
A reliable, affordable option that’s widely available across UK supermarkets and off-licences. Sweet and one-dimensional compared to premium alternatives, but perfectly serviceable in large-batch cocktails and punches where it won’t be the star.
~£10–13 / 70cl
Buy on AmazonDe Kuyper Triple Sec
Another entry-level option with broad availability. De Kuyper is a Dutch distillery with centuries of heritage, and their triple sec punches above its price point — slightly more orange-forward than Bols with a cleaner finish. A solid everyday choice.
~£11–14 / 70cl
Buy on Master of MaltCointreau
The benchmark premium triple sec, made in Saint-Barthélemy-d’Anjou since 1875. Cointreau uses a blend of sweet tropical orange peel and bitter dried orange peel, triple-distilled in copper pot stills. The result is bright, balanced, and genuinely complex — this is what most cocktail recipes mean when they list “triple sec.”
~£25–30 / 70cl
Buy on The Whisky ExchangeCombier
The other claimant to the title of original triple sec, made in Saumur using dried organic orange peel macerated in neutral spirit. Combier has a slightly drier, more floral character than Cointreau — some bartenders prefer it for delicate stirred cocktails where you want the orange to play a supporting role.
~£30–35 / 70cl
Buy on Master of MaltGrand Marnier
Technically a curacao rather than a triple sec, Grand Marnier blends Cognac with bitter orange peel — which gives it a distinctly richer, warmer character. It costs more and tastes noticeably different; the Cognac base adds vanilla and dried fruit notes that lower-proof triple secs can’t match. Worth using in recipes that specifically call for it.
~£30–38 / 70cl
Buy on AmazonHow Triple Sec is Made
At its simplest, triple sec is made by macerating dried orange peel in neutral grain spirit, then distilling the result to extract the aromatic compounds from the peel. The “triple” part historically referred to three rounds of distillation — though not all modern producers follow this process literally. Sugar is added after distillation to achieve the characteristic sweetness.
The choice of orange peel makes a real difference. Most triple secs use a combination of sweet orange peel (which contributes the bright, fresh citrus character) and bitter orange peel (which adds depth and a slight edge that prevents the liqueur from becoming cloying). Premium brands like Cointreau source specific varieties of each, while budget versions may use natural flavourings or concentrate rather than real peel.
Some producers — Grand Marnier being the clearest example — use a spirit base other than neutral grain alcohol. By using Cognac as the base, they introduce additional flavour complexity from the aged wine spirit. This is why Grand Marnier tastes so different to standard triple sec, even though it fulfils the same function in a cocktail.
Quick Facts
Category
Orange Liqueur / Modifier
Country of Origin
France (19th century)
Typical ABV
15–40% depending on brand
Base Ingredient
Sweet & bitter orange peel
Production Method
Maceration & distillation
Colour
Clear (most brands)
Serve Neat?
Rarely — primarily a mixer
Related Liqueurs
Blue Curacao, Orange Curacao
Substitutes for Triple Sec
Triple sec has a fairly unique flavour, but there are good alternatives if you’re caught without it or need a different character in a cocktail.
Cointreau or Combier
The most direct upgrade — use 1:1. Both are higher ABV than budget triple secs, so the cocktail will be slightly stronger, but the orange flavour will be noticeably better.
Grand Marnier
Use 1:1 in most recipes, but be aware that the Cognac base will add warmth and richness — great in a Margarita, slightly overpowering in more delicate drinks.
Blue Curacao
Tastes very similar to triple sec with slightly more sweetness and a lower ABV. Works as a straight 1:1 substitute in most cocktails — you’ll just add a blue tint. See our Blue Curacao guide.
Fresh orange juice + simple syrup
A non-alcoholic workaround. Use 2 parts fresh OJ to 1 part simple syrup to approximate the sweetness and citrus. The depth won’t be there, but it works in a pinch for mocktail versions.
Orange bitters + simple syrup
A low-ABV option that adds orange character without bulk sweetness. Use sparingly — 2–3 dashes of bitters with a small measure of syrup — and adjust to taste.
Cocktails That Use Triple Sec
Triple sec appears in an enormous range of drinks — everything from classic sours to punches and long drinks. These are the cocktails you’re most likely to reach for it when making.
Storage
Triple sec keeps well — the combination of alcohol and sugar means it’s a stable product that won’t spoil quickly. That said, quality does fade over time, especially once a bottle has been open for a while.
Temperature
Room temperature is fine. No need to refrigerate before or after opening, though some people prefer serving it slightly chilled.
Light
Keep away from direct sunlight. A cupboard or bar cabinet is ideal — UV exposure can dull the citrus character over time.
Sealing
Always reseal the bottle after pouring. Oxidation and alcohol evaporation will gradually flatten the flavour if left open.
Shelf life
Unopened: indefinite. Once open, best within 1–2 years for optimum citrus brightness. Still safe beyond that, but the flavour will soften.