Triple sec liqueurs tend to be more powerfully zesty orange in flavour than the relatively subtle Dutch orange curaçaos. Grand Marnier is classified as a Curaçao/triple sec hybrid, made from a mix of Cognac, distilled bitter orange essence, and sugar. According to Cointreau, their liqueur has “the highest amount of essential oils and the lowest amount of added sugar”. Triple Sec. Curaçao is generally agreed to be the original orange liqueur. Their first success was with the cherry liqueur guignolet, but they also found success when they blended sweet and bitter orange peels and pure alcohol from sugar beets. It is $7 for 1.0 Liter which is less than a third of the price of GM or Cointreau. (Realizing the color of the cocktail may vary.) [5] Despite the orange bottle, Cointreau is colourless. Palate: Semi-dry, bitter orange, not much spice. Triple sec represents the other style of orange liqueur and Cointreau is considered to be in this style. Discover our range of spirits and our cocktail recipes made with Cointreau triple sec. Triple secs are also more one-dimensional in flavour whereas curaçaos usually have additional herbs and spices, particularly coriander. As the popularity of the category grew throughout the 19th century, cheap imitations appeared, often including extra sugar to mask poor flavor. A drier style of orange liqueur, triple sec hails from France, but the origin of the drink’s name beyond that is disputed. Cointreau, often used to make Cosmopolitans, is a type of triple sec. They are understated workhorses, providing fruit flavors, complexity, and occasionally sweetness. Despite the orange bottle, Cointreau is colourless. In the triple sec category, Combier and Patron Citronge are both good but are second choices next to Cointreau. Cointreau is a name well known to bartenders and cocktail connoisseurs alike. [6][7], The production methods and recipe are a family secret, but tours of the facility are open to the public. Not as balanced as Cointreau, skewing more toward sweetness. It was originally called Cointreau Triple Sec, but as time passed, the name was shortened to simply Cointreau to separate the brand from other companies. Ninety percent of production is exported. | VinePair, https://vinepair.com/articles/differences-cointreau-triple-sec-grand-marnier/, wbs_cat Spirit, wbs_type Curaçao, wbs_type Triple Sec, wbs_brand BOLS, wbs_brand Cointreau, wbs_brand Combier, wbs_brand Grand Marnier, wbs_brand Pierre Ferrand, Curaçao, explainer, Grand Marnier, orange liqueur, Triple Sec, How to Celebrate the Holidays in Style With Mionetto Prosecco | VinePair, https://vinepair.com/articles/how-to-celebrate-the-holidays-in-style-with-mionetto-prosecco/, wbs_cat Wine, wbs_type Prosecco, wbs_brand Mionetto, holidays, Infographics, prosecco, wine pairing. A brand of triple sec from Saint-Barthélemy-d'Anjou, France. Since Cointreau uses both sweet and bitter oranges, it’s considered to be in the “triple sec” style. • Cointreau is made in France, whereas Triple SEC may be made anywhere in the Caribbean and also in other South American countries. Cointreau, among the best-known brands of orange liqueur, is a triple sec in style, even though it’s not labeled as such. They both help add flavor and sweetness to cocktails. The category is confusing, though. Bols make a very nice triple sec that does not have the artificial taste of most of the American brands. Most cocktailers prefer to steer clear of modern-day, artificial Curaçaos in orange, blue, and green hues. The liqueur is traditionally rum-based, but modern iterations are also made with distilled grain spirits. This full-strength, 80-proof spirit has the versatility to mix with any type of liquor to craft a more elevated cocktail. Cointreau is a premium triple sec orange-flavored liqueur. [citation needed], In the 1980s, Avirex, now Cockpit USA, issued an A-2 limited-edition leather flight jacket featuring Cointreau Original Margarita nose art on the back of the jacket. 1 1/2 ounces gin. [citation needed], In addition to being consumed neat (or often on ice), Cointreau is used in many popular cocktails. Cointreau (since 1875) claims to have invented the name Triple Sec, based on the 3 different types of oranges they use. The official IBA recipes for both the margarita and the cosmopolitan include Cointreau. Triple sec, originally Curaçao triple sec, is a type of strong, sweet and colorless orange-flavored liqueur.It is a variety of Curaçao liqueur, an orange-flavored liqueur made from the dried peels of bitter and sweet oranges. Or it could be a reference to the third evolution of French brand Cointreau’s recipe. Indeed Cointreau was originally named 'Curaçao Triple Sec Cointreau'. The etymology of the term "triple sec" is unclear. It’s succulent neat, on the rocks or in cocktails. Photography is restricted in many areas to protect the production process from being copied. Many bars stock Cointreau, and it is also available through liquor stores in many regions. Triple sec is an ingredient in a broad array of mixed drinks, and it is also sometimes used in cooking to flavor various foods. Triple sec is a Caribbean drink, and as a result, it uses oranges from the Caribbean in its triple distillation process. So you’ve got that bottle of Cointreau triple sec sitting in the liquor cabinet for some time now. It is consumed as an apéritif and digestif,[4] and is a component of several well-known cocktails. It's impossible to have a well-stocked bar without orange liqueur, also known as curaçao or triple sec. "Sec" is the French word for dry. 3/4 ounce Cointreau (or another orange-flavored liqueur, see … It is regarded by some to be a category of liqueur of its own. Cointreau is one of the best-known brands of the triple sec style of orange liqueur. While many of the French producers of orange liqueur in the 19thcentury initially marketed their products as curaçao, a new term began to appear on labels: “triple sec.” Both Combier and Cointreau credit themselves for the invention of the category, which means “triple dry” in French. A 750 mL bottle of triple sec can be purchased for around $9.99. Because of its high production value, Cointreau can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks, as well as mixed in a sidecar or a Singapore sling. Cointreau's amber bottle conceals a perfectly transparent liqueur. That happens all the time with alcoholic beverages. Triple sec may be consumed neat as a digestif, or on the rocks. Created in the 19th century by Dutch settlers on the island of the same name, Curaçao is now both a brand and category name. However, Triple sec is used overtly because of its low price over Cointreau. It is consumed as an apéritif and digestif, and is a component of several well-known cocktails. Grand Marnier, the other heavyweight in the category, is in the slightly sweeter curaçao camp. Triple Sec: Triple sec is the French answer to Dutch curaçao. The first bottles of Cointreau were sold in 1875. High-quality triple secs, meanwhile, can be consumed neat or as part of a cocktail. Er ist meiner Meinung nach nicht ganz so ausgewogen wie der Grand Marnier, aber es handelt sich immer noch um einen sehr guten Triple Sec. However, Jean Baptiste Combier also claims to have invented the term Triple Sec (triple distilled). Of the various orange liqueurs, triple sec tends to be the cheapest cost-wise. Cointreau is an orange liqueur that originates in France, and remains one of the most common brands of triple sec. They range in strength from 15 to 40 percent ABV. It is at the heart of more than 350 of the world’s most celebrated cocktails including The Original Margarita, The Cosmopolitan, and The Sidecar. Is the difference between Curaçao Liqueur and Triple Sec marketing driven? From timeless classics to original creations, learn how to make the perfect Cointreau drink. And both brands offer a different explanation for the name. The line dividing triple sec and curaçao is shaky, to say the least. Made with tropical oranges that were planted by the Spanish, quality Curaçaos are typically sweeter than other orange liqueurs. Triple sec-soaked cakes, for example, are a not uncommon sight during the holidays in some regions of the world. Style: Triple sec, 80 proof Country of origin: France Color: Clear. © 2014 - 2020 VinePair Inc. — Made In NYC, Next Round Live: What's Happening in the Drinks Industry Now, 10 Things You Should Know About Shiner Beer, How to Get the Most Out of Your Visit to Stone Brewing, What’s the Difference Between Cointreau, Grand Marnier, and Triple Sec? It was originally called Curaçao Blanco Triple Sec. In many popular drinks like Gold Margaritas, Cointreau is a better substitute over Triple Sec. It’s now selling more than 13 millions bottles each year in more than 150 countries. Cointreau is the crystal-clear orange liqueur essential for any home bar. Some of the major brands are include Cointreau and Grand Mariner (a blend of triple sec and cognac). The very best lemon drop martini recipe has Cointreau, not triple sec. The drink was first released in 1875, and is made using a mix of sweet and bitter orange peels and sugar beet alcohol. Cointreau Distillery was set up in 1849 by Adolphe Cointreau, a confectioner, and his brother Edouard-Jean Cointreau. It is at the heart of more than 350 of the world's most celebrated cocktails including The … Cointreau has a crisp, smooth, orange flavor. Orange liqueurs are vital to any well-stocked bar. Außerdem unterscheidet er sich durch eine bittere Süße im Nachklang von der Konkurrenz. Sec means "dry" in French and triple sec is often thought to mean "triple dry," though it can refer to a triple-distilled liqueur.There's also a claim that the name refers to the third attempt at Cointreau's recipe (the one still in use). It is used in classic French desserts, such as crêpes suzette and bûche de Noël (Yule log). Cointreau vs Triple SEC • Cointreau is a brand while Triple SEC is the generic name of the orange flavored liquor that is made after distillation of peel of sweet and bitter oranges. The less-pricey brands tend to taste overly sweet with a harsh bite. Bols claims to be the first company to produce Curaçao; today, companies such as Pierre Ferrand also offer versions. Triple Sec and Cointreau are orange flavored liqueurs. They have the same basic ingredient being made from dried orange peel. Certain brand names are synonymous with different styles, and origin stories are hazy. Cointreau (UK: /ˈkwɒntroʊ, ˈkwɑːn-/, US: /kwɑːnˈtroʊ, kwæ̃ˈ-/,[1][2][3] French: [kwɛ̃tʁo]) is an orange-flavoured triple sec liqueur produced in Saint-Barthélemy-d'Anjou, France. But we’ll leave that battle to them. Explore our variety of Cointreau triple sec cocktail recipes . Cointreau, a proprietary … Some attribute it to being a translation of the words “triple dry.” Others say it is a reference to triple distillation (which doesn’t actually occur in its preparation). The French brand has been a high roller since it’s creation in 1875. Combier and Cointreau both claim to be the world’s first triple sec producer. Cointreau is an orange-flavoured triple sec liqueur produced in Saint-Barthélemy-d'Anjou, France. In modern parlance, triple sec is often used as a generic term for any orange liqueur, and sometimes denotes a low-grade knock-off. It would be quicker to list cocktails that don't contain orange liqueur than to list the ones that do. Cointreau is one of the best-known brands of the triple sec style of orange liqueur. [8][9] When mixed with water, Cointreau exhibits the Ouzo effect. Nose: Subtle orange, alcohol. Triple Sec uses oranges from the Caribbean. It is known to be more dry than sweet, leading some to believe its name comes from the words “Triple Dry”. Cointreau has a orange perfume flavor that’s well balanced between bitter and sweet, but Triple Sec can have a more harsh flavor. Grand Marnie. Extremelye aromatic thanks to a complex blend of orange peel essences, with … Triple sec was first introduced in France as Curaçao triple sec, but that's about the only part of the liqueur's history that is agreed upon. Unlke Cointreau, Grand Marnier is made with cognac and bitter oranges. In early 2008, burlesque entertainer Dita Von Teese became the new face of Cointreau's "Be Cointreauversial" advertising and marketing campaign,[10] a campaign created in 2003[11] by the New York advertising agency KraftWorks.[12]. This led to the spirit becoming more closely associated with sweetness rather than orange flavor. Triple sec refers more to the type of orange liqueur rather than the name of the brand. Cointreau is a form of triple sec produced by the Rémy Cointreau distillery in France. Triple sec and Cointreau are both orange liquors, which are made from a distilled orange peel. When mixed, the crystalline liqueur becomes opalescent, a testament to the high concentration of orange essence. Triple sec, another popular orange liqueur, is considered a Curaçao style liqueur. Cointreau & Cie SA was family-owned until 1990, when it merged with Rémy Martin to form Rémy Cointreau, now a publicly traded company. Commonly used as a term for any orange liqueur in a recipe, triple sec … The variety of oranges used in Cointreau are one key difference, although both triple sec and Cointreau use a combination of sweet and bitter oranges to make their liqueur. As a main player in the orange-flavoured liqueur category, Cointreau is everywhere. "Remy Martin and Cointreau Plan to Merge", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cointreau&oldid=994969653, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2020, Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 18 December 2020, at 14:18. There are many recipes of drinks such as Sangria where Triple sec can be substituted by the more classic and superior taste of … Now the question “does triple sec go bad” popped off in your head and you’re searching for the answer. The colorless liqueur measures 40 percent ABV, or 80 proof. You opened it, made a few drinks, and pretty much forgot about it. But if you have another orange liqueur, feel free to use that. Cointreau is probably the most recognized brand of orange liqueur in the triple sec style, and Grand Marnier, despite being French, is more in line with the Dutch curacao style as it has an aged brandy base. They taste, in a word, cheap. Combier contendsthat founder Jean-Baptiste Combier created “the world’s first tripe sec” in 1834 by trip… Origins. Top-shelf brands like Grand Marnier and Cointreau … Like Cointreau, Grand Marnier measures 40 percent ABV, and can be enjoyed neat or in mixed drinks. It even says on the bottle that it is made from Valencia Oranges, Curacao Oranges, and Lemons. It is not typically aged. They appear in classic cocktails like the Margarita and Sidecar, not to mention Long Island Iced Teas and Cosmopolitans. Der beliebte Triple Sec von Cointreau hat einen deutlichen Zitronengeruch, auch im Geschmack kommt neben Orange etwas Zitrone durch. Another difference between the two is the alcohol content. They are thought to be the same and have several similarities, but they are not the same product. In this episode you'll learn all about the main orange liqueurs in most bars: triple sec, orange curaçao, cointreau, and grand marnier. A side-by-side comparison of homemade orange liqueur with a bottom-shelf triple sec is no contest—DIY wins it by a mile. Cointreau is a brand name and uses oranges from around the world, including Brazil and Spain. • Cointreau is much expensive than Triple SEC. It first appeared in 1880, and was originally called “Curaçao Marnier,” in reference to its high quantity of brandy. Similar to Cointreau, triple sec is colorless and is made from the peels of both bitter and sweet oranges. Overall impression: Combier is a recent arrival in the United States, and it's marketed as a slightly less-expensive Cointreau replacement. This liqueur is usually viewed as a premium triple sec, and it may be sipped as a standalone beverage or blended into mixed drinks. Cointreau vs triple sec. Triple Sec . Triple sec, a liqueur made from the skins of oranges, ranges in alcohol content from 15% to 30%, depending on the brand. An estimated 13 million bottles are sold each year, in more than 150 countries. Here’s a breakdown of the different styles of orange liqueur, and commonly used popular brands. Both Cointreau (pronounced kwahn-troh) and Combier have claimed to be the first triple sec. France- Cointreau is the crystal-clear orange liqueur essential for any home bar. It was originally called Curaçao Blanco Triple Sec. Using Cointreau, a clear triple sec, is the orange-flavored liqueur of choice to keep the cocktail white. Its high-quality production means that it can be drunk neat, over ice, or in cocktails.