The best substitutes for Cointreau

Cointreau is a great cocktail, but it is also used in a wide variety of cooking and baking recipes. If you feel like preparing a specific dish but find yourself without this special alcohol, there are some alternatives that you can resort to.

What is the best substitute for Cointreau?

Based on our research and testing, the best substitutes for Cointreau are alternative brands of Triple Sec, Grand Marnier, Orange Curacao, or, for a non-alcoholic option, orange extract.

In this article, we will explain exactly what Cointreau is and the different options to replace it both in cooking or confectionery and in cocktails.

What is Cointreau?

Cointreau is an orange-flavoured liqueur , made from the peels of sweet and bitter oranges along with beet sugar alcohol. It tastes pretty strong, is colorless, and sweet enough to make the alcohol fire worth it.

It is often enjoyed as an aperitif or digestif , eaten before or after meals to aid digestion. It is also the signature flavor of several iconic cocktails.

Cointreau is also used in a variety of savory and baked dishes, from pancakes or brownies to a rich, succulent sauce for roast duck.

The distinctive orange flavor can be found in a select variety of alternative spirits or, if you don’t want to use alcohol at all, flavored extracts.

The best cocktails with Cointreau

There are a few cocktails you’ve at least heard of, if you haven’t enjoyed yourself on a night out, but there are also a few Cointreau cocktails that go unnoticed. They are worth challenging your bartender with or finding the recipe for your home bar.

Here are our favorite Cointreau cocktails, tested and approved for your full enjoyment:

• • daisies
  • cosmopolitans
  • the sidecar
  • Long Island Iced Tea
  • Mai Tais
  • Bleeding
  • The Singapore Sling
  • The Lemon Drop

• The Black Dahlia

The best substitutes for Cointreau

Whether you want to substitute Cointreau in a baked good or cocktail, there is sure to be a substitute on this list that will meet your needs. We’ve created a quick reference table for you, and then delved a little deeper into each substitution option.

Cointreau vs. Triple Sec

Cointreau is a type of Triple Sec, possibly the most famous, but it is produced at a specific distillery in France, named after its original owner, Édouard Cointreau. It is the original recipe of its kind, but now it competes with many other Triple Sec liqueurs of different qualities.

Cointreau is perfectly balanced , meaning it’s not as sweet as many other spirits, and it’s completely clear and measures 40 percent alcohol by volume (ABV), also known as 80 proof.

Triple Sec is a clear liqueur made by distilling orange peels into neutral alcohol , usually from beets. The ABV range is 20-40%, but typically on the higher end and some even go as high as 42% if very high quality.

You can substitute the Cointreau for any Triple Sec in exact amounts, but the most demanding palates can notice the difference in quality.

Orange Curacao vs Cointreau

Cointreau is a French liqueur, while Curaçao gets its name from its island of origin, a Dutch Caribbean island off the coast of Venezuela called Curaçao. The island has historically been a perfect breeding ground for bitter oranges.

As this fruit was unfit for consumption, the rinds were dried and used to flavor their local distilled spirits.

Curaçao is believed to be the original orange liqueur , and that Cointreau was inspired by and, according to its inventor, perfected. As Cointreau coined the term Triple Sec, a strange time loop situation is created.

Curaçao is often considered a Triple Sec, although it was the original inspiration for this type of liquor.

A true Triple Sec, specifically Cointreau, will be drier and less sweet than a true Curacao, although some brands are too close to the line to distinguish between them.

Curacao’s ABV ranges from 15-40% and although the alcohol itself is initially clear, it has been developed as a brand using artificial colors to make the liquor blue or orange.

You can substitute Cointreau for Curacao in any recipe, although it may result in a slightly sweeter taste.

Cointreau Substitute: Grand Marnier

Grand Marnier is another orange liqueur, but unlike Triple Sec and Curaçao, it’s made with a high-quality brandy, rather than a neutral spirit. This creates a flavor that stands out not only for the bright orange notes, but also for the aged, oaky and intense quality of the brandy.

Grand Marnier is also flavored exclusively with the peels of one type of bitter orange , while Cointreau combines bitter and sweet oranges from a variety of fruits.

Grand Marnier is a good substitute for Cointreau, but it’s not perfect. It has a deeper, more distinct flavor and a more golden color, so it shows up more in cocktails. If used for baking, you won’t notice much of a difference and can be substituted ounce for ounce.

Generic orange liqueur that replaces Cointreau

Some bottles of alcohol are boldly labeled Orange Liqueur and it may not be immediately apparent which category they fall under. These are most likely a Triple Sec , although the alcohol content and sweetness will vary by brand.

Depending on what you’re using it for, you can substitute any orange liqueur for the Cointreau, but keep a few factors in mind before making your decision:

1. Alcohol by volume : Cointreau is specifically 40% alcohol by volume, so if you’re using it in a cocktail, you’ll want to stick as close to 80 proof as possible, unless you’re purposely trying to reduce the alcohol content of your drinks.
2. Sweetness : Most bottles will state whether the flavor comes from bitter or sweet oranges, or a combination of both, and some will even state exactly which variety is used, such as Satsuma or Valencia. This will give you an indication of the sweetness. Remember that Cointreau is dry and not overly sweet.
3. Added Flavors – Orange liqueurs are becoming more popular and many distilleries have added their own flavors to the traditional Triple Sec recipe. You should double check the bottle you choose to make sure no added spices were used, unless you are interested in experimenting

Cointreau Substitute: Non-alcoholic

If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic substitute for Cointreau, you can use almost anything that gives you an orange flavor, although amounts will vary greatly.

You could use orange juice , for example, but that will add much less flavor for the same amount of liquid, so it might be best to reduce it to a syrup first. You can also use orange zest or concentrated orange juice and experiment until you get the flavor you want.

For most baking purposes, the best non-alcoholic substitute for Cointreau will be orange extract.

It will give you a powerful flavor in a very small measure of liquid. It may take some trial and error, but start by substituting at a ratio of ½ teaspoon of orange extract for every 2 tablespoons of liquor needed.

The best orange liqueur for baking

Baking with a liquor is all about getting the right flavor, as the alcohol burns off. Finding the best orange liqueur for baking requires striking the right balance between convenience, expense, and flavor.

If you have an orange liqueur in your liquor cabinet right now, that’s the best choice for your baking project . There isn’t enough of a difference between them to warrant a special purchase, so use what you have available, if you have it.

If you’re going to be making a special trip to the liquor store, Triple Sec is usually the cheapest option , easiest to find, and again, once baked you won’t be able to tell the difference, so you might save yourself a few bucks.

If you plan to have the rest of the bottle for cocktails, the real issue comes down to personal preference.

What flavor do you find most appealing? If you’re not sure, Grand Marnier is by far the most popular and most purchased orange liqueur, although it’s also often the most expensive option.

Related questions

What is Cointreau noir?

Cointreau Noir is a blend of the traditional orange-flavored liqueur with the company’s signature cognac.

It also has hints of walnuts and almonds, which makes it very dangerous for those sensitive to nuts, but adds a layer of complexity to the alcohol itself. Noir is designed to be enjoyed neat or, in the extreme, on the rocks.

Is Cointreau gluten free?

Since Cointreau is made by distilling orange peels with beet sugar alcohol, there are no grains involved and the liquor is naturally gluten-free.

What is Cointreau sauce?

Cointreau is a rich, decadent base for a sauce that can be creamy or fruity and syrupy. It is mostly used in desserts or pancakes , but it also appears in some savory recipes, such as roast duck.

Basically, the liqueur can be used in any sauce that wants to develop a rich orange hue. The alcohol content burns off during the cooking process, so even though it’s a liqueur, it’s still safe for kids.