Liqueurs

Triple Sec

Liqueur
27.5% ABV
134 drinks

Is this for me?

Choose this if…

✓You want citrus sweetness and complexity in cocktails.
✓Features in 134 WhatDrink drinks.

Skip if…

✗You prefer dry or non-citrus spirits.

At a Glance

90 kcalCalories

27.5%ABV

7.5gSugar

9gCarbs

LiqueurType

134Recipes

Ingredient nutrition is approximate and varies by brand, recipe and preparation.

What is Triple Sec?

Triple sec is an orange liqueur used to add citrus sweetness and orange aroma to Margaritas, Sidecars, Cosmopolitans, tropical cocktails and many classic mixed drinks.

What does Triple Sec taste like?

Sweet, bright and orange-forward, with citrus peel aroma and a light liqueur body. Triple sec pairs well with tequila, gin, vodka, brandy, rum, lime, lemon, cranberry and tropical fruit.

Triple Sec profile

Mixability: HighIntensity: MediumDryBeginner-friendly: High

Best used for: margaritas, cosmopolitans, sours, refreshing drinks

Appears in 134+ recipes
Has 4 common substitutes

Ways to use triple sec

Cocktails (130)Shots (2)Coffee cocktails (1)Punches (1)

Triple sec is an orange liqueur used to add citrus sweetness and orange aroma to Margaritas, Sidecars, Cosmopolitans, tropical cocktails and many classic mixed drinks.

Flavour profile

CitrusOrangeSweet

Recipes using this

Observed quantities

Observed in single-serve recipes: middle half 22.18–59.15 ml; median 29.79 ml.

In the measured recipes in this dataset — from 124 observed uses.

Scoped nutrition

Calories (per 100 ml): 300
Sugar (per 100 ml): 25 g
Carbs (per 100 ml): 30 g

Ingredient nutrition is approximate and varies by brand, recipe and preparation.

Diet compatibility

Gluten-FreeCompatible
KetoNot compatible
Low-CarbNot compatible
Low-SugarNot compatible
Veganvaries
VegetarianCompatible

Based on the listed ingredient only — a public recipe facet, not medical, allergy or coeliac advice. Specific brands and preparation can change compatibility.

Reviewed substitutes

CointreauCleaner, drier orange liqueur character.
Orange CuracaoRicher orange profile.

Reviewed ingredient substitution guidance. Results can vary by brand, quantity and preparation. These substitutions have not been tested in every individual recipe.

Commonly observed with

Lemon JuiceLight RumGinLime JuiceBrandyOrange TwistOrange JuicePineapple Juice

Observed co-use in the reviewed recipe corpus — not a universal pairing recommendation.

Trust & methodology

Canonical ingredient/component authority assembled from reviewed identity, recipe, flavour, nutrition, diet and substitution evidence. Observed quantities and co-use patterns are descriptive, not prescriptions or universal recommendations.

Evidence last updated: 2026-07-16T05:12:21.205546+00:00

What it is

What is triple sec?

Triple sec is an orange-flavored liqueur used to add citrus aroma, sweetness and body. In many cocktails, it supports fresh citrus rather than replacing it.

How it's used

How triple sec is used

Triple sec is often used in sour-style cocktails where orange sweetness helps balance lime or lemon. It is especially common with tequila, vodka, brandy and rum.

Common mistakes

Using too much triple sec can make a drink taste sticky or overly sweet. Keep it in balance with fresh citrus and the base spirit so the orange note stays clean.

About this drink

Triple sec belongs to the orange liqueur family, which became central to daisies, sours and many early cocktail templates. Its importance is practical: it adds both orange aroma and sweetness, so it changes flavor and balance at the same time.

Drink counts and recipe data are based on published WhatDrink recipes. Figures may vary as new recipes are added.

Triple Sec — common questions

How many cocktails are made with Triple Sec?: There are 134 cocktail recipes featuring Triple Sec in the WhatDrink database.
What are the most popular cocktails made with Triple Sec?: Top-ranked cocktails made with Triple Sec include 3-Mile Long Island Iced Tea, Acapulco, After Dinner Cocktail. Rankings are based on recipe quality and data completeness.
What is the ABV of Triple Sec?: Triple Sec has an ABV of approximately 27.5%. The exact strength varies by brand and expression.
What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?: Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Intensity (light to bold), Sweetness (dry to sweet), Mixability (how versatile it is in cocktails) and Beginner-Friendly (acquired taste to easy intro). Each scale helps you compare Triple Sec with similar ingredients at a glance.
How do I use the Triple Sec sensory profile to find drinks I like?: If you enjoy the intensity and flavour profile of Triple Sec, look for other ingredients or cocktails with a similar profile. Compare Intensity, Sweetness and Mixability to find substitutes or discover new cocktails in the same flavour family.