Triple sec is a sweet, colorless orange-flavored liqueur that is commonly used in cocktails such as margaritas and cosmopolitans. It contains about 40% alcohol by volume and is made from neutral spirits mixed with orange peel extract, sweeteners, and sometimes actual citrus juice. While delicious, triple sec does contain a significant amount of added sugar and calories, so finding a healthier, lower calorie substitute can be beneficial for those watching their sugar intake.
What is Triple Sec?
Triple sec originated in 18th century France, with the name meaning “triple dry” in French, referring to the three distillations that were originally used to make it. Modern commercially made triple sec involves mixing already distilled neutral spirits with natural orange flavors, sweeteners, and occasionally a small amount of actual orange juice or peel distillate. There are varying quality levels of triple sec, with cheaper versions using more artificial flavors and sweeteners while higher quality liqueurs will use more natural ingredients. The resulting flavor is quite sweet and noticeably orange, making triple sec a staple ingredient in many famous cocktails.
Common Uses in Cocktails
Here are some of the most common cocktails that traditionally contain triple sec:
- Margarita – Made with tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur like triple sec. It’s one of the most popular cocktails in the world.
- Kamikaze – Contains vodka, triple sec, and lime juice for a tangy, citrusy flavor.
- Cosmopolitan – Made famous by Sex and the City, it combines vodka, triple sec, lime juice, and cranberry juice.
- White Lady – Calls for gin, triple sec, and lemon juice shaken together and strained into a cocktail glass.
- Sidecar – A classic cocktail with brandy, triple sec, and lemon juice often served in a glass with sugar-rimmed edges.
- Sunset Boulevardier – Whiskey, triple sec, and vermouth come together for a boozy orange-infused sip.
In all of these popular cocktails, the orange liqueur provides a touch of natural sweetness and bright citrus flavor that complements and enhances the other ingredients.
Nutritional Profile
The exact nutrition facts can vary somewhat between brands, but in general a 1.5 ounce shot of triple sec contains around:
- 150 calories
- 0 g fat
- 24 g carbohydrates
- 24 g sugar
As you can see, a single serving of triple sec packs a hefty sugar punch. The combination of alcohol and concentrated sugars makes triple sec quite caloric for its small volume. For healthy dieters and diabetics, all that added sugar can be a problem.
Reasons for Substituting Triple Sec
There are several good reasons you may want to use an alternative to standard triple sec in cocktails and recipes:
Reduce Calories and Sugar
For people monitoring calories or carbohydrates, the 24 grams of sugar in a shot of triple sec can blow through a significant chunk of one’s daily limit. Getting those sugars from an artificial sweetener or reduced amount of fruit juice is an easy way to lighten the calorie load.
Manage Diabetes
People with diabetes need to carefully track carbohydrate intake. Replacing sugar-laden mixers with low glycemic options can help maintain steady blood sugar levels.
Don’t Overly Sweeten Drinks
The cloying sweetness of cheap triple sec brands can overpower the other ingredients in cocktails. Using an alternative with lighter fruit flavors allows the other liquors to shine through.
Enhance Citrus Notes
Substituting in a higher quality orange liqueur with more nuanced flavors can elevate the tasting experience compared to standard triple sec.
Accommodate Dietary Restrictions
Vegans or those with certain food intolerances may need to avoid the sugars or other ingredients found in typical triple sec.
Stay Alert and Prevent Hangovers
The combination of alcohol and sugar can rapidly increase blood alcohol levels. An alternative with less sugar may help prevent intense initial drunkenness and next-day hangovers.
Healthier Triple Sec Substitutes
Luckily, there are a number of suitable lower calorie, lower sugar substitutes for triple sec and orange liqueurs. Here are some of the best options:
Curaçao
Curaçao is a close relative to triple sec, hailing from the island of the same name just north of Venezuela. Similar to its cousin, traditional Curaçao is made from the dried peels of bitter oranges macerated in brandy or a neutral spirit. Good quality Curaçao uses the laraha citrus fruit grown only on Curaçao. It often has a deeper, more complex orange flavor compared to basic triple sec.
Many cocktail experts prefer Curaçao over triple sec for its fruit-forward taste that plays well in mixed drinks. Avg. nutrition per 1.5 oz: 97 calories, 0 g fat, 12 g carbs, 12 g sugar.
Cointreau
Cointreau is a premium orange liqueur made in France, considered by many to be a huge step up from regular triple sec. It uses a mix of sweet and bitter orange peels to achieve a balanced, natural orange flavor. The high-quality natural ingredients and subtle flavors make it ideal for cocktails or sipping straight.
At 97 calories and 11 grams of sugar per serving, it’s lower in both calories and carbs compared to standard triple sec. Cointreau brings far more complex, intriguing orange notes to liven up drinks.
Grand Marnier
Grand Marnier offers a unique French take on triple sec, produced by blending fine cognacs with bitter orange essence. The result is a sophisticated, lightly sweet liqueur with pronounced citrus and cognac influences. It works beautifully in cocktails or on its own as an after dinner drink.
With 110 calories and 11 g of sugar per serving, Grand Marnier avoids much of the high sugar content of regular triple sec. The carrot flavors intermingle delightfully with the orange notes.
Clement Creole Shrubb
Shrubb is an orange liqueur from the island of Martinique, made from a rum base mixed with citrus fruits and spices. Clement Creole Shrubb offers a lovely blend of orange, lemon, tangerine, clove, and exotic island flavors. The rum base gives it a kick lacking in basic triple sec.
At 92 calories and 7 grams of sugar per serving, it makes for a tastier, lighter swap compared to standard triple sec’s high sugar content.
Patrón Citrónge
Patrón Citrónge is produced by the premium tequila brand Patrón, aiming to capture genuine Mexican orange flavors. Made from the orange-tangerine citrus hybrid called “Citrón,” it highlights bright, exotic citrus essence. Many fans find it brings out more authentic flavor notes compared to artificially flavored triple sec.
With 120 calories and 20 g of sugar per serving, this liqueur still provides a sizable sugar hit. But its natural fresh orange taste stands out versus cloying cheaper triple sec.
Orange Curaçao Liqueur
This affordable Curaçao liqueur from Marie Brizard provides an authentic, high-quality orange flavor at a budget price point. Made with sun-ripened peels of Curaçao oranges, it bursts with fresh, sweet citrus essence. The natural fruit extracts result in a vibrant yet smooth spirit.
At just 78 calories and 12 grams of sugar per serving, this Curaçao brings all the sweet orange goodness without the high calorie load of standard triple sec.
Combier Liqueur d’Orange
From a French producer dating back to 1834, Combier Liqueur d’Orange is made with oranges sourced from the Caribbean and South America. This ensures a depth of authentic orange flavor missing from artificial tasting cheap triple secs. Complex notes of orange zest, vanilla, honey, and spices emerge.
With 96 calories and 11 grams of sugar per serving, it makes for a lighter, more sophisticated orange liqueur pick.
Solerno Blood Orange
Solerno Blood Orange hails from Italy and highlights the tangy, complex flavor of Sicilian blood oranges. There is a nice balance between sweet and tart notes, with hints of raspberry and grapefruit as well.
At 120 calories and 20 grams of sugar per serving, this liqueur still packs substantial sugar. But the raids, earthy blood orange flavors pair phenomenally in cocktails.
Non-Alcoholic Triple Sec Alternatives
For sober cocktail lovers or those avoiding alcohol for other reasons, triple sec and other boozy orange liqueurs obviously won’t work. Luckily, there are some tasty non-alcoholic ways to mimic the orange flavor in cocktails.
Orange Juice
Freshly squeezed orange juice can provide plenty of bright, citrusy flavor to drinks. For a cleaner flavor, shake strained juice with a bit of simple syrup to balance sweetness. Orange juice clocks in at around 50 calories per ounce.
Orange Syrup or Orange Juice Concentrate
Making an orange simple syrup by combining sugar and water with orange zest lets you precisely dial in the sweetness level. Orange juice concentrate or orange syrup provide bold orange intensity. These syrups contain around 20 calories per teaspoon.
Orange Extract
Pure orange extract provides highly concentrated orange essence without alcohol. Use just a few drops at a time combined with sweetener to mimic orange liqueurs. This imparts vibrant flavor with negligible calories.
Orange Oleo-Saccharum
Oleo-saccharum is made by muddling orange peels and sugar together to extract the oils. The sweet citrus syrup works great in place of triple sec. Make a batch using approximately a cup of sugar and peels from 5 oranges.
Orange Bitters
Aromatic orange bitters add a hint of orange flavor without alcohol or much sugar. Brands like Regans’ Orange Bitters offer authentic zesty, bitter orange notes in just a few dashes.
How to Substitute Triple Sec in Common Cocktails
Many classic cocktails lean heavily on triple sec to provide complementary citrus flavors. Here are some tips for modifying popular mixed drinks using healthier orange liqueur alternatives:
Margarita
Replace high-sugar commercial triple sec with 100% agave tequila, fresh lime juice, and a splash of one of the natural orange liqueurs like Cointreau or quality dry Curaçao. Adjust sweetness with just a teaspoon of agave nectar if needed.
Kamikaze
Swap out the triple sec for a teaspoon of orange syrup or oleo-saccharum. Combine with vodka and freshly squeezed lime juice for a cleaner tasting Kamikaze.
Cosmopolitan
A Cosmo made with citron vodka, cranberry juice, fresh lime, and a orange liqueur like Solerno blood orange will provide more balanced, intriguing flavors. Garnish with orange peel.
White Lady
Substitute Grand Marnier for the triple sec to bring in more complex orange and cognac influences. Shake with gin and lemon juice for a sophisticated twist.
Sidecar
Sidecars classically contain brandy, lemon juice, and orange liqueur. Swap in Cointreau or Combier Liqueur d’Orange for more natural citrus notes that won’t overpower the brandy.
Conclusion
Basic commercial triple sec provides candy-like orange flavor, but often at the cost of overloaded sweetness and calories. Thankfully, there are many great options for lighter, more sophisticated orange liqueurs to enhance cocktails. Brands like Cointreau, dry Curaçaos, Clement Creole Shrubb, and Grand Marnier offer more nuanced, authentic orange intensity. For non-alcoholic directions, fresh orange juice, homemade syrups, or orange bitters can fill in for triple sec beautifully.
So next time a recipe calls for triple sec, consider substituting one of these smart alternatives to create a more balanced, refined drink experience.
Your inner mixologist will thank you!