Got orange liqueur? Here are all the best Triple Sec drinks and cocktails that highlight its citrus essence, from Margarita to Cosmo.

Triple sec

Got a bottle of Triple Sec on hand? This orange liqueur has been around since 1875, and has a long history of adding complexity to cocktails. It’s the orange essence that makes a Margarita, and the citrus breeziness in a classic Cosmo. But there are many more Triple Sec drinks beyond that that highlight this versatile liqueur. Ready to get drinking?

And now…the top 10 Triple Sec drinks and cocktails!

What is Triple Sec?

All the Triple Sec cocktails above use the product you can buy with that name. But Triple Sec is also a word used to describe a specific liquor and a family of orange liqueurs. Confusing, right? Here’s what to know:

  • Triple Sec is the name for a category of dry orange liqueurs: it translates to “triple dry” in French. The other family of orange liqueurs is Curacao, which are sweeter (and sometimes blue, in the case of the Blue Margarita!).
  • Triple Sec is also the name for a product. In most liquor stores, bottles labeled Triple Sec are lower in quality and more affordable than something like Cointreau, which is a higher end Triple Sec.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Triple Sec drinks

Triple Sec Drinks: Cosmo & More!


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 drink 1x

Description

What’s in a Cosmopolitan cocktail? This vibrant pink drink is perfect for any occasion, with vodka, cranberry and Triple Sec.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) vodka or citron vodka*
  • 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) 100% cranberry juice (do not use sweetened!)
  • ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) Cointreau
  • ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) lemon juice
  • 1 lime wedge
  • 1 teaspoon simple syrup**
  • For the garnish: lime wheel (optional)

Instructions

  1. Place the vodka, cranberry juice, Cointreau, lemon juice, and syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake 15 seconds until cold. Strain the liquid into a martini glass.
  2. Squeeze with the lime wedge and serve, garnished with a lime wheel if desired.

Notes

*If you have it, use citron vodka for the most authentic Cosmo: in this case you can omit the lemon juice. In our tests we found it was just as tasty to use standard vodka with lemon juice, so you don’t have to buy another type of vodka.

  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Shaken
  • Cuisine: Cocktails
  • Diet: Vegan

Keywords: Triple Sec drinks, Triple Sec cocktails

More cocktail recipes

There are so many drinks to try outside of these Triple Sec cocktails! Here are 300+ cocktail recipes for every occasion:

About the authors

Sonja & Alex

Meet Sonja and Alex Overhiser: Husband and wife. Expert home cooks. Authors of recipes you'll want to make again and again.

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

1 Comment