Triple Sec is a type of [ingredient=orange-liqueur orange liqueur] that was derived from Curaçao, a liqueur made from sun dried native orange peels on the island of Curaçao. Triple Sec was invented in 1834 by Jean-Baptiste Combier, a distiller in Saumur, France. [ingredient=combier-loriginal-liqueur-dorange Combier] still makes the original Triple Sec recipe, which calls for three distillations, and is drier than the original Curaçao, at 80 proof.
Today, orange liqueurs that are labelled Triple Sec are clear and taste primarily of oranges. Interestingly enough, both [ingredient=cointreau Cointreau] and [ingredient=grand-marnier Grand Marnier] once called themselves Triple Sec, though they no longer do. Some common brands of Triple Sec are the aforementioned Cointreau, Citronge (made by Patron), Triplum (from Luxardo), Hiram Walker, and Bols.
Generic Triple Sec is usually inexpensive, low quality, very sweet, and artificially flavored.
Some popular cocktails containing Triple sec
- Countrypolitan — Corn Whiskey, Triple sec, Lime juice, Cranberry juice
- Paraiso — Blanco tequila, Campari, Triple sec, Strawberry shrub, Lemon juice
- Gun Club Shrub — Gold rum, Triple sec, Pineapple juice, Orange oleo-saccharum, White balsamic vinegar
- Golden Dream (Sam Ross) — Triple sec, Galliano, Orange juice, Cream
- Cosmopolitan (Employees Only version) — Lemon vodka, Triple sec, Cranberry juice, Lime juice
- Cosmopolitan Milk Punch — Vodka, Tawny port, Triple sec, Tonic water, Cranberry juice, Milk, Lime juice, Sugar, Star anise, Bay leaf, Clove, Pomegranate molasses, Orange peel, Grapefruit peel, Cardamom
- Silky Fig — Dark rum, Coconut rum, Triple sec, Light rum, Campari, Bitters, Fig, Lime juice, Orgeat, Mint, Banana
- Christmas in a Glass — Rum, Pomegranate Liqueur, Triple sec, Cranberry juice, Simple syrup, Orange, Cranberry
- Cointreau Teese — Triple sec, Crème de Violette, Apple juice, Lemon juice
- Eucalyptus Martini — Gin, Triple sec, Simple syrup, Lime juice, Egg white