Need a Triple Sec Substitute? Try These 6 Options

When do you need a triple sec substitute? When your friends are over enjoying an epic Cinco de Mayo celebration and the bottle runs dry between the second and third pitchers. When you invite someone over who only drinks cosmopolitans. Or when you want to mix up the old Long Island iced tea with something slightly different.

In those situations, you need a triple sec substitute, and fast.

Triple sec is a sweet, orange-flavored liqueur. You’ve reached for it to make margaritas, cosmopolitans, and sidecars. Depending on how you manage your boozy drinks, an empty triple sec bottle may prompt something close to panic.

Not to worry. If your bar is stocked, you probably have a good alternative on hand. Below are five triple sec alternatives — including one that will surprise you.

Triple sec substitutes 1. Cointreau

Cointreau is the best substitute for triple sec because it has a similar taste and aroma. Like triple sec, Cointreau is a clear, orange liqueur made from the peels of bitter and sweet oranges. It has a higher alcohol content (40% ABV) than triple sec (20% to 40% ABV), but its flavor is more complex and nuanced.

2. Grand Marnier

Grand Marnier is a premium, orange-flavored liqueur made with cognac, bitter oranges, and sugar. It has a richer flavor than triple sec, with notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak. Grand Marnier is also more expensive than triple sec, but it does make an excellent, high-end margarita.

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Like Cointreau, Grand Marnier’s alcohol content is 40%.

3. Combier

Combier is a French orange liqueur made with sweet and bitter orange peels, sugar, and alcohol. It has a sweet and floral aroma and a complex, sweet-tart flavor. Combier works well as a triple sec substitute, thanks to its interesting sweetness. This one’s another 40% ABV.

4. Orange Curacao

Orange Curacao is an orange liqueur made from the peels of bitter oranges and sweet oranges. It is sweeter and more syrupy than triple sec, and has a more nuanced flavor. Like Combier, it makes for an interesting triple sec substitute. Your cocktails won’t taste the same, but you might like them better.

The alcohol content of orange curacao range from 15% to 40%.

5. Agave nectar

Agave nectar is a natural sweetener made from the sap of the agave plant. It is sweet with a carmel flavor. Agave nectar is a great substitute for triple sec in cocktails that require a sweetener, such as margaritas and other tequila-based drinks.

6. Triple sec syrup

Triple sec syrup is an alcohol-free version of the orange liqueur, commonly used to make mocktails. Amazon reviewers say it tastes like the real thing!

Triple sec and triple sec substitute FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about using triple sec in cocktails.

Don’t panic if you’re out of triple sec. Cointreau, Grand Marnier, Combier, Orange Curacao, and even agave nectar can all function as acceptable triple sec substitutes. Try one the next time you’re in a jam. You might end up with a new go-to margarita recipe in the process. Cheers!