Explore orange liqueur in its many forms, from triple sec to curaçao and Cointreau to Grand Marnier. Learn all about how this bittersweet orange spirit is made and how to use it.

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Orange liqueurs are a versatile ingredient that can be used in your favorite cocktails, desserts and culinary dishes to enhance the flavor, adding a touch of fruity sweetness and complexity.
You might know it by one of its many names: triple sec, curaçao, Cointreau or Grand Marnier. All of these are types of orange liqueur.
But what’s the difference? If you’ve ever wondered this, or how to use these bittersweet liqueurs, you’re in the right place. Below, you’ll learn all about this spirit, how it’s made, the best brands and how to use it.
More liquor guides: Irish Whiskey • Chambord • Purple Gin • Coffee Liqueur • Mezcal

What is orange liqueur?
Orange-flavored liqueurs are a type of alcoholic beverage: a neutral spirit that is flavored with sweet oranges, bitter orange peels or orange oils.
The term triple sec refers to both a category of orange liqueur but it is also an inexpensive type of orange liqueur. It is a popular ingredient in many classic cocktail recipes and is known for its sweet, bitter and citrus flavoring.
Orange-based liqueur is often used to add a fruity and aromatic taste to many mixed drink recipes, providing a balance of sweetness and tanginess.
Types of orange liqueur
In the world of orange liqueur, there are many key players, but these are the most common:

Triple sec: Triple sec is an inexpensive, lower-end type of clear liqueur with a neutral grain base and a dry orange flavor. If you order a house cocktail with orange liqueur at a bar, it will likely be triple sec.

Grand Marnier: A French liqueur, this one is a blend of cognac and bitter orange. It has a slightly spiced, toffee flavor and it is amber in color thanks to the brandy base.
Gran Gala: This Italian brand has a cognac base and is flavored with Sicilian oranges.

Cointreau: Cointreau is another name-brand of French orange liqueur. It is light, crisp, sweet and clear in color, made from sweet and bitter orange peels.
Arancello/orangecello: An Italian spirit, arancello or orangecello is simply limoncello made with orange peels. It tends to have an orange color.

Curaçao: Curaçao (or orange curaçao) is the name for a clear orange liqueur from made from the bitter orange laraha, which is a type of citrus fruit that grows on the Dutch island of Curaçao.
Blue curaçao: Blue curaçao is traditional curaçao that has been artificially colored blue. It is used in bright blue cocktails like the fish bowl drink, the blue margarita and the green mimosa.
How orange liqueur is made
Orange liqueur is usually made by infusing a grain alcohol with orange peels or orange essential oils, much like limoncello is made with lemon peels and vodka.
The peels are steeped with the alcohol for weeks to months, depending on the strength of the desired flavor.
Orange zest has a bitter flavor, so the longer it is steeped, the more bitter it will be, which can yield complex flavor profiles in cocktails.
However, a sweetener like simple syrup is often added to give the liqueur a more palatable, sweet taste.

Best orange liqueurs
When purchasing orange liqueur, it’s essential to consider the quality and brand, as higher-quality options often provide a more authentic and enjoyable experience.
Cointreau and Grand Marnier are two high-end orange liqueur brands. They are considered top-shelf, so expect to find one of these in your top-shelf margaritas. The Cadillac margarita is famous for using Grand Marnier.
Cointreau is my favorite orange liqueur when I want to use something top-shelf, but triple sec works well as a cocktail ingredient in most cases. Grand Marnier is equally lovely, but its color can change the look of a cocktail so I find I don’t reach for it as often.
Triple sec substitute
Orange liqueurs can be used interchangeably, so you can swap triple sec for Cointreau and vice versa.
But if you don’t have it on hand, you are not out of options.
Fresh orange juice can be used instead of orange liqueur. In the skinny margarita, a splash of orange juice is often used instead of triple sec to give the drink a sweet orange flavor.
You could also use orange bitters to add a hint of orange flavor without adding more alcohol.

Cocktails with triple sec
There are lots of types of cocktails that call for triple sec. Here are a few of the classic cocktails and how triple sec transforms them:
Margaritas: When orange flavor is added to these tequila lime cocktails, they develop a hint of sweet orange.
Cosmopolitan: These cranberry juice and vodka cocktails have fresh lime juice, but a splash of triple sec adds sweetness. Try these guava cosmopolitans.
Mimosas: These orange champagne cocktails have lots of sweet orange flavor, but adding a bit of orange liqueur gives orange juice mimosas a hint of bitter orange and a bit more booziness.
Sangria: Adding triple sec to sangria — made with red wine or white wine — adds fruitiness and more alcohol to help each sip pack a punch. It also works in other wine cocktails like this blackberry red wine spritzer.
Sidecar: These cognac cocktails are very citrusy, thanks to the addition of orange liqueur and fresh squeezed lemon juice. Try this bourbon sidecar!
Mai tai: Triple sec adds a hint of citrus and sweetness to this tropical cocktail.
You an also use triple sec in baking and cooking. Try adding a splash to this orange bourbon cranberry sauce for extra orange flavor.
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