Triple sec - Definition and Overview

Triple Sec is an orange-flavored liqueur. Sec usually means dry but in this instance it means distilled since triple secs go through a three-stage process. Some brands are made on the Caribbean island of Curaçao from bitter oranges that are picked and used before they reach full ripeness. Others are made in France, Mexico, and the United States. There are both generic and brand names for triple sec. Some of them are: triple sec, curacao, Cointreau, and Grand Marnier (in approximate order of increasing quality and price).

Triple sec is frequently used in cocktails, to add flavor, rather than alcohol and so a non-alcoholic version can be substituted to save money or to keep alcohol content down.

The alcoholic content of this liqueur is 23% (46 proof).