Orange liqueur · Schiedam

De Kuyper Curaçao Triple Sec

The clear orange liqueur that provides sweet citrus in a Margarita, Cosmopolitan, and Sidecar. Distilled from orange peels from Curaçao, at 20% ABV: a workhorse behind every home bar.

Triple sec20% alcoholSchiedam, NetherlandsOrange & cardamom
NIX18 - No 18, no alcohol
Bottle of De Kuyper Curacao Triple Sec 50 cl
20%alcohol · 50 cl
What is Curaçao Triple Sec?

The orange in your cocktail

De Kuyper Curaçao Triple Sec is a clear orange liqueur distilled from dried and sweet orange peels from Curaçao. This gives it a bold, sweet orange aroma with a subtle hint of cardamom. Triple sec is not meant to be drunk neat: it is made to make a cocktail sweet, fruity, and well-rounded.

It belongs to the same flavor family as De Kuyper Blue Curaçao, but without the color. This means it does not change the color of your Margarita or Cosmopolitan. At 20% ABV, it is considerably lighter than Cointreau, for example, which is 40% ABV; you can therefore use a little more without making the cocktail too strong.

In brief

TypeTriple sec, orange liqueur
Alcohol20%
OriginSchiedam, Netherlands
BaseDried and sweet orange peels from Curaçao
FlavorSweet orange, cardamom
GlassMargarita glass, coupe, or martini glass
What does Curaçao Triple Sec taste like?

Sweet orange with a spicy edge

Nose

Bold orange

A sweet, pronounced orange aroma, with a subtle hint of cardamom in the background.

Palate

Sweet citrus

Sweet and bold in flavor, like candied orange peel. Exactly what a sour cocktail needs.

Finish

Peel and spices

The orange lingers, with a lightly botanical note. In a cocktail, it complements the finish of tequila or cognac.

Sweet 4/5
Fruity 5/5
Spicy 2/5
Strength 1/5

Flavor profile of De Kuyper Curaçao Triple Sec neat. In a sour, its sweetness is balanced by lime or lemon juice.

How to drink it

How do you use triple sec?

Triple sec is a building block. Think in ratios: strong, sweet, and sour, with triple sec as the sweet component.

In a Margarita

De Kuyper's own recipe: 10 ml triple sec, 20 ml tequila, 10 ml fresh lime juice, and 10 ml sugar syrup, shaken with ice and served in a martini glass with a lime wheel.

To the recipe →

In a Sidecar

50 ml cognac, 25 ml triple sec, and 20 ml lemon juice, shaken hard with ice and strained into a chilled coupe with a sugar rim. At 20% ABV, you can pour a little more generously.

Sidecar recipe →

As an orange highball

30 ml triple sec with 120 ml tonic or sparkling water and a slice of orange in a highball glass with ice. A light, summery aperitif with no fuss.

Highball glasses →
From the webshop

The right glass for cocktails with triple sec

A margarita glass for the Margarita, a martini glass for the Cosmopolitan, a coupe for the Sidecar, and a shaker to make them.

100% delivered breakage-free
Royal Leerdam Cocktail Margarita Glass
For Margarita

Royal Leerdam Cocktail Margarita Glass

Set of 4 · 30 cl · the classic margarita glass
€ 21,95View
Royal Leerdam Cocktail Martini Glass
For Cosmopolitan

Royal Leerdam Cocktail Martini Glass

Set of 4 · 26 cl · the classic V-shaped glass
€ 21,95View
Bormioli Rocco America'20s Coupe
For Sidecar

Bormioli Rocco America'20s Coupe

Set of 6 · 22 cl · art deco coupe glasses for sours and martinis
€ 35,95View
Speakeasy Cocktail Set Stainless Steel
For shaking

Speakeasy Cocktail Set Stainless Steel

4-piece stainless steel bar kit: shaker, jigger, strainer, and bar spoon
€ 68,95View
The range

More De Kuyper flavors

Everything about De Kuyper →
Bottle of De Kuyper Blue Curaçao 50 cl

De Kuyper

15-35% · the original

Where it all began. On the brand page, discover everything about De Kuyper: its origins, varieties, and classic cocktails.

To De Kuyper →
Bottle of De Kuyper Oranjebitter 50 cl

Oranjebitter

30% · 50 cl

Bittersweet and orange, with Curaçao orange peel and anise. The shot for King's Day, ice-cold or with bubbles.

View Oranjebitter →
De Kuyper Creme de Cassis 50 cl bottle

Crème de Cassis

15% · 50 cl

Fruity blackcurrants in deep reddish purple. Add 20 ml to champagne or prosecco and you have a Kir Royal.

View Crème de Cassis →
De Kuyper Amaretto 50 cl bottle

Amaretto

30% · 50 cl

Almond with vanilla, caramel, and a hint of cognac. Neat as a digestif or in an Amaretto Sour.

View Amaretto →
De Kuyper Bessenjenever 70 cl bottle

Bessenjenever

20% · 70 cl

Fresh red fruit from redcurrants. Ice-cold as a shot or topped up with Sprite, tonic, or prosecco.

View Bessenjenever →
De Kuyper Vieux 1-liter bottle

Vieux

35% · 100 cl

Dutch vieux with real French brandy. Full and rounded, neat or with cola.

View Vieux →
Want to see more?

Everything about liqueur: the types, the best-known brands, and the cocktails.

Everything about liqueur →
Frequently asked questions

Questions about Curaçao Triple Sec

Is your question not listed? Read more on the page about De Kuyper or check out our cocktail recipes.

Everything about De Kuyper →
What percentage of alcohol is in De Kuyper Triple Sec?
De Kuyper Curaçao Triple Sec contains 20% alcohol, just like De Kuyper's Blue Curaçao.
What is the difference between triple sec and blue curaçao?
Both are orange liqueurs made from Curaçao peels. Triple sec is clear, while blue curaçao is bright blue. Choose triple sec if you want your cocktail's color to remain unchanged.
Can you drink triple sec neat?
You can, but that's not what it's intended for. On its own, it's quite sweet; it really comes into its own when combined with something sour, such as lime or lemon, and a stronger spirit.
Which cocktails can you make with triple sec?
The best-known are the Margarita, Cosmopolitan, Sidecar, White Lady, and Long Island Iced Tea. Triple sec is also used in a Kamikaze shot and a Corpse Reviver No. 2.
Does triple sec need to be refrigerated after opening?
No. Because of the alcohol and sugar, a tightly sealed bottle stays good for a long time in a cool, dark place. After being open for a long time, the orange aroma may fade somewhat.