Before diving into a tasting of various brands, I should start with some terminology. It's difficult to pin down precise definitions of these terms, but I'll try. Orange liqueur is the easiest term to define, so here's where I'll start. Orange liqueur is simply a sweetened alcoholic beverage with orange flavoring. The alcohol itself can be either a column-distilled neutral spirit similar to vodka or it may be a pot-distilled spirit, such as grape brandy.
Some products, such as cognac and Champagne, are protected, and must by law be made in their region of origin. Triple sec originated as a French product. No one knows with any certainty where the designation "triple" originated. The most reasonable explanation is that "triple" was mere marketing, a way to trump up new products and denigrate the competition.
Perhaps the two most famous brands of orange liqueur are Grand Marnier and Cointreau, and you might be wondering where they fit in to this taxonomy. Cointreau, on the other hand, is straight up a triple sec. In fact, Cointreau initially called itself Cointreau Triple Sec, and you can sometimes find old-school, collectible bottles with this labeling on Internet auction sites. In response to the dreck that other distilleries were putting out and branding as triple sec, Cointreau repositioned itself as a product apart from triple sec, removing those words from its label and marketing.
There are numerous orange liqueurs on the market, but here's a basic guide in alphabetical order to the differences between prominent brands, and which bottles are worth seeking out. Style: Triple sec. Nose: Intensely, almost artificially, orange. Smells like cheap orange perfume. Palate: Tastes better than it smells. Very sweet, orange, hints of clove and cinnamon. Although the main impression is of imitation orange, notes of warm spices complement the main flavor, making Bols less of a one-note product than other brands.
Still, I'd avoid this unless you're really throwing a party on a tight budget. Nose: Bitter orange, funky rum, spice. Palate: Dry, sharp, bitter orange, hints of rhum agricole and spice. A spirit like this is lovely in tropical rum drinks, such as the Mai Tai. Style: Triple sec, 80 proof. Country of origin: France Color: Clear. Nose: Subtle orange, spice, some alcohol. Palate: Well balanced. Dry, bitter orange, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove.
Overall impression: Cointreau is well-regarded for a reason. The flavors are perfectly balanced between bitter orange and sweetness. Warm spices lend complexity to the spirit while complementing the orange. List of Partners vendors.
By Jonah Flicker. Jonah Flicker. Jonah Flicker is a freelance journalist based in Brooklyn whose work focuses on spirits, food and travel. Learn about Liquor. Pin Share Email. Buy on Drizly Buy on Caskers. Buy on Drizly Buy on Instacart. Buy on Drizly Buy on Minibar Delivery. Continue to 5 of 7 below. Your Privacy Rights. It was one of the magazine's top spirits of , and it received a 95 out of point rating from the publication.
It has notes of cocoa and vanilla along with the orange flavors, making it perfect for sipping or blending. With a price point that makes it a great mixer, the Drillaud Orange Liqueur works in virtually any mixed drink calling for triple sec. This French liqueur has a Cognac base, balanced with flavors of bitter orange and toffee, which adds a bright complexity to margaritas. If the cosmopolitan is your cocktail, then give it a blood orange twist with Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur.
You can use orange liqueurs labeled triple sec interchangeably in cocktails with other orange-flavored liqueurs. The triple sec from the Netherlands, DeKuyper triple sec is no-frills and affordable, but it's delicious in mixed drinks.
Reviewers on Drizly rated it 4. It's a great blending orange liqueur. This item has been added to your list. Continue Shopping. Remember Me? Sign In. Other Views. Enter postal code for shipping rates. Free delivery: 5 to 14 days. You have not selected a store. Select attributes to see availability.
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