Triple Sec is a liqueur that is typically strong, sweet, and orange-flavored.
It isn’t one of the most common liqueurs you’d find in someone’s bar, so if you need some but can’t find any, you might be wondering if there are any good substitutes for it out there.
Luckily, there are quite a few! In this article, we’ll be taking a look at 5 Triple Sec substitutes that work perfectly when you can’t get a hold of the real thing. So let’s get started!
1. Grand Marnier
Kicking off this list we have Grand Marnier. This liqueur was created in 1880 and it works really well as a Triple Sec substitute.
Grand Marnier has a beautiful citrusy flavor and it is quite sweet. It’s an incredibly versatile liqueur that will work really well in a variety of recipes.
Triple Sec is quite a bit sweeter than Grand Marnier, but this is great if you prefer tastes that aren’t too sweet. If you do love sweet flavors though, you can combine other flavors to bring that sweetness back up.
Also, Triple Sec is quite clear in color, whereas Grand Marnier has an amber-orange hue, so it may impact the overall color of your drink, but this is just an aesthetic issue.
2. Orange Extract/Zest
Though Triple Sec is mainly used for cocktails, there may come across a recipe when you need to use it as a cooking ingredient. If this does happen, then a great substitute is orange extract or even orange zest.
This is also a great alternative for anyone who doesn’t want to add alcohol to their recipes, but it still tastes pretty similar.
One thing you do have to be careful about with orange extract or zest is that even in small quantities, it can be incredibly powerful in flavor. So if you do use this ingredient, make sure you add it gradually and perform regular taste tests.
3. Grenadine
Another great substitute is grenadine. It’s already a popular ingredient in most cocktails, and it works really well in the place of Triple Sec because it’s similar in sweetness.
The main thing you have to keep in mind if you use grenadine is that although it emulates the sweetness and tartness, it doesn’t have the same orange flavor as Triple Sec. It’s also incredibly vibrant in color, so it will change the color of your drink, even if you just add a small amount.
If you do use grenadine, start off with just half the amount you would use with Triple Sec, and then judge it accordingly from there.
4. Orange Juice
Orange juice is another great alternative when you want to go for a more non-alcoholic recipe. If you use this substitute it won’t be as strong as Triple Sec or other alcoholic variants, but it will be incredibly citrusy in flavor.
Orange juice does have some tang to it, but it’s also incredibly sweet. You can use store-bought orange juice but to truly emulate Triple Sec, freshly squeezed orange juice will work a lot better.
It’s in your best interest to use a little bit more orange juice than you would with Triple Sec.
5. Combier Liqueur d’Orange
As you can probably guess from the name, Combeir Liqueur d’Orange is another orange-based liqueur that works wonderfully in the place of Triple Sec.
It’s incredibly citrusy in flavor and lots of people consider it to be one of the best Triple Sec substitutes out there, so it’s definitely worth trying.
The only issue with this liqueur is that it can be a little bit harder to find than a lot of other spirits. You may have to look around a bit more, but you will find it eventually.
Conclusion
Though Triple Sec is a great liqueur to use, sometimes the substitute options can actually be better. Whether you’re after something that tastes similar but isn’t as sweet, or you just want to avoid alcohol altogether, there is something for everyone on this list.
Try out these substitutes today and see which one works best for you. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how well each of these substitutes work in the place of any recipe that calles for Triple Sec!
5 Triple Sec Substitutes
Are you in the process of making a cocktail or recipe that calls for Triple Sec but you don’t have any? Click here to learn about 5 great substitutes!)
Ingredients
Grand Marnier
Orange Extract/Zest
Grenadine
Orange juice
Combier Liqueur d’Orange
Directions
- Decided on what substitute you need
- Pick a substitute from the list above
- Read what you need to substitute with
- Create the recipe and enjoy
Recipe Video
Cooking is great for your mental, physical, and emotional health. What’s the worst that could happen? Find a recipe that you like the sound of and cook it along with me. You might even unlock a new passion!
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