Out of Triple sec, one case

Triple sec substitute for margaritas

6 options, ranked, with the exact amount

Use thisBest of 6 options

Use Cointreau

1 oz for every 1 oz of triple sec

In a margarita, replace triple sec with the same amount of Cointreau, which is a triple sec, only stronger and drier. Grand Marnier also swaps 1:1 and makes a richer, slightly sweeter drink. With no orange liqueur in the house, use ½ oz agave nectar for each 1 oz of triple sec: that is a Tommy's margarita, a standard recipe in its own right, with no orange flavor.

Verdict —: Works
Best for —: a classic margarita on the rocks or up

One casethe full triple sec card

Every option, one card

Ranked

Triple sec substitutes compared
#	Substitute	Instead of 1 oz triple sec	Verdict
1	Cointreaua classic margarita on the rocks or up	1 ozWorks	Works
2	Grand Marniermargaritas with reposado or anejo tequila	1 ozTweak it	Tweak it
3	Dry curaçaoa classic margarita	1 ozWorks	Works
4	Agave nectara margarita with no orange liqueur in the house	½ ozYou'll taste it	You'll taste it
5	Orange juicea lower-alcohol margarita	1 ozYou'll taste it	You'll taste it
6	Blue curaçaoa blue margarita	1 ozTweak it	Tweak it

What changesWhat changes, option by option6 options

Cointreau

cleaner orange, less sweet, a stronger drink

Cointreau is a triple sec: a clear orange liqueur, bottled at 40% alcohol where most triple sec is 15 to 30%. It is the liqueur many margarita recipes name in the first place.

Best for: a classic margarita on the rocks or up, frozen margaritas, pitchers
Where it fails: Nowhere in a margarita. If the drink tastes sharper than you are used to, the triple sec you normally buy is sweeter: add ¼ oz simple syrup or agave nectar.

Grand Marnier

orange with oak and vanilla from the cognac; a little sweeter

An orange liqueur made on a cognac base, 40% alcohol, darker and rounder than triple sec. A margarita made with it is usually sold as a Cadillac margarita.

Best for: margaritas with reposado or anejo tequila, a richer margarita on the rocks, floating ½ oz on top of a finished drink
Prep: Use the same amount. If the drink tastes heavy, add ¼ oz more lime juice.
Where it fails: A pale, sharp margarita with blanco tequila tastes heavier and the color turns amber. In a frozen or fruit margarita the cognac is lost, so the cheaper liqueur does the same job.

Dry curaçao

bitter orange peel with a little spice; drier

Curaçao is the older style of orange liqueur that triple sec descends from. The dry bottlings are about 40% alcohol and less sweet than standard triple sec.

Best for: a classic margarita, margaritas with aged tequila, anyone who finds triple sec too sweet
Where it fails: Nowhere in a margarita. It is drier than most triple sec, so add ¼ oz simple syrup or agave nectar if the drink tastes sharp.

Agave nectar

tequila and lime, no orange

The sweetener in a Tommy's margarita: tequila, lime and agave, with no orange liqueur at all. It replaces the sweetness of the triple sec and none of the orange or the alcohol.

Best for: a margarita with no orange liqueur in the house, showing off a good tequila, a slightly less alcoholic drink
Prep: Shake 2 oz tequila, 1 oz lime juice and ½ oz agave nectar with ice. Taste and add agave 1 tsp at a time.
Suits: vegan
Where it fails: Recipes where orange is the point, such as an orange or Cadillac margarita. The drink is also smaller, since ½ oz replaces 1 oz.

Simple syrup does the same job: start with ½ oz and taste, since it is a little less sweet than agave.

Orange juice

juicy and mild; less orange punch, less sweet

Fresh orange juice gives a soft orange flavor and some sweetness with no alcohol. It is far less concentrated than a liqueur, so the drink is lighter and fruitier.

Best for: a lower-alcohol margarita, virgin margaritas, frozen and pitcher margaritas
Prep: Add 1 tsp agave nectar or simple syrup per 1 oz of juice, shake, taste and adjust. A strip of orange peel in the shaker adds some of the missing oil.
Suits: vegan
Where it fails: A classic margarita served up, where it tastes thin and cloudy next to the real thing. Juice from a carton tastes flatter than fresh.

Blue curaçao

orange, usually on the sweet side

Orange liqueur with blue coloring. It tastes of orange, not of anything blue, and most bottles are about as sweet and as strong as ordinary triple sec.

Best for: a blue margarita, frozen margaritas, party pitchers
Where it fails: Any margarita you want to look like a margarita: the drink turns bright blue, or green once lime and a golden tequila are in it.

Tips for substituting triple sec

5 tips

The usual build is 2 oz tequila, 1 oz orange liqueur and 1 oz fresh lime juice. Swap the liqueur 1 oz for 1 oz and leave the other two alone.
Cointreau, Grand Marnier and dry curaçao are 40% alcohol; most triple sec is 15 to 30%. The drink is stronger and less sweet, so taste it and add ¼ oz simple syrup or agave if it is sharp.
With no orange liqueur, make a Tommy's margarita: 2 oz tequila, 1 oz lime juice, ½ oz agave nectar. Shake hard with ice for 10 to 15 seconds.
For a pitcher of 8, use 2 cups tequila, 1 cup of the substitute liqueur and 1 cup lime juice, and stir with ice just before serving.
Balance with lime and sweetener, not with more liqueur. Adjust ¼ oz at a time.

Questions

5 questions

Can you substitute Grand Marnier for triple sec in a margarita?

Yes, in the same amount. Grand Marnier is orange liqueur on a cognac base, so the margarita is richer, slightly sweeter, amber in color and a little stronger. It suits reposado and anejo tequila especially well. Bars usually call this a Cadillac margarita.

Is Cointreau the same as triple sec?

Cointreau is a brand of triple sec. It is 40% alcohol and fairly dry, while inexpensive triple sec is often 15 to 30% and sweeter. Use it 1 oz for 1 oz; the drink is stronger and less sweet.

Can I make a margarita without triple sec or any orange liqueur?

Yes. Shake 2 oz tequila, 1 oz fresh lime juice and ½ oz agave nectar with ice. That is a Tommy's margarita, a standard recipe in its own right. It has no orange flavor and tastes more of the tequila.

What is a non-alcoholic substitute for triple sec in a margarita?

Use 1 oz fresh orange juice plus 1 tsp agave nectar or simple syrup for each 1 oz of triple sec. The orange flavor is softer than a liqueur. For a fully alcohol-free drink you also need to replace the tequila; a bottled non-alcoholic triple sec or orange syrup is closer if you can find one, used as its label directs.

Can I use orange extract?

Only with care. Orange extract is very concentrated and has no sweetness, so it cannot replace triple sec on its own. Sweeten the drink with ½ oz agave nectar or simple syrup and add the extract a drop or two at a time, tasting as you go.