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What is Triple Sec? Triple Sec is a style of Orange Liqueur. It’s actually considered a digestif but is now typically used in Cocktails.
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Triple Sec is an ingredient you may see in a cocktail recipe and think, what is Triple Sec? Don’t worry. A lot of people ask themselves that same question.
In this article, we’re going to take a deeper look at Triple Sec and answer all the questions you have (and probably a whole lot more).
What does Triple Sec Mean?
As mentioned above, Triple Sec is a style of Orange Liqueur.
In French, the word ‘Sec’ is directly translated to mean ‘dry’ and so ‘Triple Sec’ is thought to be a reference to the fact the Orange Liqueur is Triple Distilled when made.
However, other reasonings range from it
Want to know a little bit more about it? Let’s take a deeper look!
The History of Triple Sec
The first Triple Sec was invented by Jean-Baptiste and Josephine Combier in Saumur, France in 1834 and on the back of the popularity of the Orange Liqueur, the Combier company was established.
Jean-Baptiste and Josephine Combier operated straight out of their kitchen where they shared the dream of inventing a new Liqueur which flavour was perfectly balanced.
It’s said they worked for years perfecting the flavour and their quest for perfection ended in 1834 with the invention of Triple Sec.
The Combier company expanded in other liqueurs and is still around today.
Other Orange Liqueurs
The Combier Triple Sec is generally thought to be the first Triple Sec made, but it certainly wasn’t the last.
Many other different types of Orange Liqueur are now widely available.
These include:
Emergence of Cointreau
Cointreau is the Combier Triple Sec’s oldest rival.
Edouard-Jean and Adolphe Cointreau first opened the doors to their distillery in 1849. They saw a rising trend in the Liqueur industry and pivoted their family business away from cake-making.
In 1875 Edouard had noted that consumers were showing a distinct interest for Oranges, which at the time were very rare and extremely precious.
Seeing the value, he experimented with different recipes until he developed the Orange Triple Sec Liqueur we now know as Cointreau.
It’s widely considered that Cointreau is actually the most popular brand of Triple Sec on the market today.
So, is Triple Sec the Same as Cointreau?
A very popular question when it comes to Triple Sec is: is Triple Sec the same as Cointreau?
Let’s run through it:
- Cointreau and Combier are both varieties of Triple Sec Orange Liqueur.
- Both types of Triple Sec have slightly different recipes.
- Combier Triple Sec is 30 plus years older than Cointreau, but today Cointreau is the more popular brand.
- Cointreau has an alcohol volume of 40%, compared to 25% of Combier Triple Sec.
What is Triple Sec Made of?
According to the Combier website, Triple Sec is made of:
Sun-dried orange peels from the West Indies, local spices from the south of France, alcohol from France’s northwest, and secret ingredients from the Loire Valley – a formula that became the world’s first triple sec.
Much like Campari, the majority of the ingredients of the original Triple Sec are shrouded in secrecy but we do know that the liqueur was triple distilled in creation and boasts to the made of all-natural ingredients.
How is Triple Sec Made?
According to Diffords Guide, Triple Sec is usually based on neutral spirit made from sugar beet. Then, Orange Peel is bathed in the neutral spirit and then redistilled. Next, the concoction is blended with even more of the neutral spirit, water and sugar beet.
How Much Alcohol is in Triple Sec?
The alcohol volume of Triple Sec ranges anywhere between 15% and 40%.
Let’s take a look at how much alcohol volume each of the most popular brands of Triple Sec mentioned above contain:
- Combier Triple Sec has an alcohol volume of 25%.
- Cointreau has an alcohol volume of 40%.
- Volare Triple Sec has an alcohol volume of 20%.
- De Kuyper Triple Sec has an alcohol volume of 40%.
- Bols Triple Sec has an alcohol volume of 38%.
- Iseo Triple Sec has an alcoholic volume of 15%.
- Soiree Triple Sec has an alcoholic volume of 20%.
Cocktails with Triple Sec
Because of Triple Sec’s rich, dry orange taste, it’s a perfect alcohol to mix into delicious cocktails.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular cocktails with Triple Sec Orange Liqueur.
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Kamikaze
Ingredients
- 30ml / 1oz Vodka
- 30ml / 1oz Triple Sec
- 30ml / 1oz Lime Juice
Recipe
With a Cocktail Shaker:
- Add Ice, Vodka, Triple Sec and Lime Juice to your Cocktail Shaker.
- Shake well.
- Pour into a Cocktail Glass.
- Garnish with a slice of Lime.
Without:
- Add Ice, Vodka, Triple Sec and Lime Juice into a Cocktail Glass.
- Stir well.
- Garnish with a slice of Lime.
Long Island Iced Tea
Ingredients
- 20ml / .6oz White Rum
- 20ml / .6oz Gin
- 20ml / .6oz Vodka
- 20ml / .6oz Tequila
- 20ml / .6oz Triple Sec
- 100ml / 3.3oz Cola
- 50ml / 1.7oz Lime Juice
Recipe
With Cocktail Shaker:
- Add Ice and the rest of the ingredients to your Cocktail Shaker.
- Shake well.
- Pour into a Highball Glass.
- Garnish with a Lemon slice.
Without:
- Add Ice and the rest of the ingredients to a Highball Glass.
- Stir well.
- Garnish with a Lemon slice.
Everything you need to know about a Long Island Iced Tea (and more)
ThatCocktail Mimosa
Ingredients
- 15ml / .5oz Triple Sec
- 45ml / 1.5oz Orange Juice
- 100ml / 3.5oz Champagne
Recipe
- Add Champagne and Triple Sec to a Champagne Flute.
- Add Orange Juice.
Cosmopolitan
Ingredients
- 40ml / 1.4oz Vodka
- 15ml / .5oz Triple Sec
- 15ml / .5oz Lime Juice
- 30ml / 1oz Cranberry Juice
Recipe
With Cocktail Shaker:
- Add Ice and all the other ingredients to your Cocktail Shaker.
- Shake well.
- Pour into Cocktail Glass.
- Garnish with a Lime wedge and a Lemon slice.
Without:
- Add Ice and all the other ingredients to a Cocktail Glass.
- Stir well.
- Garnish with a Lime wedge and a Lemon slice.
Appletini
Ingredients
- 40ml / 1.4oz Vodka
- 15ml / .5oz Apple Schnapps
- 15ml / .5oz Triple Sec
Recipe
With Cocktail Shaker:
- Add Ice and the other ingredients to your Cocktail Shaker.
- Shake well.
- Pour into a Cocktail Glass.
- Garnish with a slice of Apple and a Cherry.
Without:
- Add and the other ingredients to a Cocktail Glass.
- Stir well.
- Garnish with a slice of Apple and a Cherry.
How to Make the Perfect Appletini
Summary
So, what is Triple Sec?
- Triple Sec is a style of Orange Liqueur.
- It was originally intended to be a digestif, but has become more commonly used in Cocktails.
- Triple Sec is typically clear coloured.
- Triple Sec Alcohol Volume ranges from 15% to 40%.
- Triple Sec has a dry Orange taste.
- Cointreau is a type of Triple Sec.
- Cointreau is the most popular Triple Sec on the market today.
Further Reading
- 37 Delicious Cocktails with Orange Juice
- 31 Quick & Easy Cocktails with White Rum
- 40 Quick & Easy Cocktails with Vodka
- How to Make a Long Island Iced Tea
- https://www.barnonedrinks.com/tips/dictionary/t/triple-sec-922.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_sec
- https://www.remy-cointreau.com/en/brands/cointreau/
- https://www.cointreau.com/uk/en/la-maison/history
- https://www.alcademics.com/2011/02/whats-the-difference-between-orange-curacao-and-triple-sec-.html
- http://alcoholvolume.com/what-is-triple-sec-liqueur-drinks/
- http://www.combierusa.com/products/original-combier/
- https://www.diffordsguide.com/beer-wine-spirits/category/176/triple-sec-liqueurs.
