Triple Sec
Is this for me?
Choose this if…
- ✓You want citrus sweetness and complexity in cocktails.
- ✓Features in 122 WhatDrink drinks.
Skip if…
- ✗You prefer dry or non-citrus spirits.
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
Best used for: margaritas, cosmopolitans, sours, refreshing drinks
- Appears in 122+ recipes
- Has 4 common substitutes
Best For
Best With Triple Sec
Drink Profile
Best for
- Adding sweetness to cocktails
- Coffee & dessert cocktails
- Best with tequila
- Best with gin
- Best with vodka
Substitutes & similar
Possible substitutes for Triple Sec
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
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.