10 Best Substitutes for Cointreau

You don’t have to be a connoisseur of fine liquor to know that Cointreau is one of the best liqueurs. Unfortunately, it can be costly, making it hard to include in recipes that you make for yourself or others.

Fortunately, there are great alternatives to Cointreau that are not expensive. You can use them anywhere as substitutes for Cointreau.

Moreover, these substitutes will give a similar taste to Cointreau. And will even add some extra nuances of their own.

Table of Contents

• 1. Hiram Walker Triple Sec
• 2. Grand Marnier
• 3. Gran Classico
• 4. Galliano
• 5. Coffee liqueur
• 6. Curacao
• 7. Luxardo Triple
• 8. Combier Liqueur D’Orange
• 9. Regular Rum
• 10. Bols

1. Hiram Walker Triple Sec

If you’re looking for substitutes for Cointreau, go with Hiram Walker Triple Sec. The orange-flavored liqueur is often used in margaritas and cosmopolitans because it mixes well with citrus flavors and smells nice Naturally.

It contains 40% alcohol, which means you can get by by using less of it than you would other liqueurs. However, triple sec doesn’t contain any tequila, despite what many people think.

Hiram Walker is a brand that makes several types of liqueurs. The word triple comes from three different fruits: oranges, lemons, and limes.

2. Grand Marnier

A French orange-flavored liqueur, it’s sweeter than Cointreau and not as popular but are much cheaper substitutes for Cointreau.

Grand Marnier is made with Cognac and sweetened with sugar cane syrup, giving it a fuller flavor than its citrusy namesake. Look for Grand Marnier in specialty liquor stores or online.

Also, it’s used as a substitute for Triple Sec, another orange-flavored liqueur that’s great independently or as a base spirit in cocktails.

For example, you could use Grand Mariners as substitutes for Cointreau to make an Orange Blossom cocktail. To do so, add 3ounces orange juice to 1ounce triple-sec and 1⁄2ounce lime juice over ice in a shaker.

3. Gran Classico

Although Gran Classico is similar to Cointreau, its use of ORANGES can be used as substitutes for Cointreau and triple sec. Its orange flavor is more robust than other orange-flavored liqueurs and nice contrast when mixed with ingredients like fruit juice.

Gran Classico is most prevalent in Italy but is often available at American bars, especially those serving specialty cocktails. 

Also, It’s a good substitute when spicing up your cocktail but doesn’t have any actual triple sec on hand. The only catch is that it’s not cheap; one 750ml bottle costs about USD 20.

4. Galliano

This Italian after-dinner drink gets its complex flavor from various ingredients, including orange blossom, aniseed, cardamom, and cinnamon. Hard to replicate without those botanicals.

You can get close by adding a little bit of Galliano to your base spirit. After all, it is also called After Dinner Liqueur.

However, we recommend creating a citrusy margarita; mix 2ounces gold tequila with 1/2ounce Cointreau (or triple sec) and 1/2ounce Galliano. And freshly squeezed lime juice to taste, garnish with a wedge of lime and serve over ice with salt on top.

5. Coffee liqueur

Coffee liqueur makes great substitutes for Cointreau. It is frequently overlooked as a flavor; it’s often paired with chocolate or peanut butter but rarely on its own.

Coffee liqueur is an affordable and versatile ingredient that can help you get creative with cocktails.  However, you might also want to check out Kahlua (it’s spelled differently).

It has a strong coffee flavor that mixes well with rum and creates an aftertaste similar to fudge. Kahlua is also versatile enough to work in non-alcoholic recipes.

Look up any recipe calling for coco laurate and sub in either brand of coffee liqueur as substitutes for Cointreau. You won’t be disappointed!

6. Curacao

This type of orange liqueur is meant to mimic Cointreau and be used as one of the substitutes for Cointreau. It has a different flavor, though, and most people agree it isn’t quite as good. But if you want to replicate the taste of that orange peel in your drink, then Curacao is the best.           

And for those who don’t care about replicating that taste, there are plenty of other options available. TripleSec is one of them: it’s a triple-distilled orange liqueur from France and has been around since Napoleon.

Grand Marnier is another option—it also comes from France and has oranges as its main ingredient, just like Cointreau.

7. Luxardo Triple

Here’s a recipe similar to that of Cointreau, and it’s among the substitutes for Cointreau. Chop up and steep three fresh chamomile teabags in one liter of vodka for about 2hours.

Strain out herbs, add 1/2 liter triple sec, 1/2 cup fresh orange juice, and 2cups sugar syrup. Mix well and age at least six months before use. 
 
However, for more flavor, Make a tea from 4 teaspoons of dried chamomile flowers, steep it in boiling water, and calm.

Strain through cheesecloth or gauze cloth until you have one cup of tea. Add 1 cup sugar syrup, then combine vodka (1 liter)and triple sec (1/2 liter)—age six months before using.

8. Combier Liqueur D’Orange

Combier is a combination of sweet oranges, wine, and triple-distilled Cognac, which is then married in oak casks. To create a smooth orange liqueur that’s fantastic on its own or as a replacement for Triple Sec.

It can be used as a substitute for Cointreau in most recipes where you’re making a Sidecar or an Orange Blossom cocktail. 

And it’s far more affordable than either brandy or Triple Sec. It’s usually priced at about £20 ($28) per bottle. If you’re looking for SomethingSomething similar but less expensive, try St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur. It’s not quite as good, but it will do in a pinch.

9. Regular Rum

If you’re looking for substitutes for Cointreau in a cocktail, there are a few things to keep in mind. Your best bet is to use light rum instead of dark. Light rum has a more delicate and less spicy flavor profile than dark rum.

Also, It can be used interchangeably with Cointreau since they’re both orange liqueurs and add simple syrup for more sweetness.

But remember to use less ice so that your final drink will be chilled but not watered down. Because too much water results in a flat cocktail, simple syrup is made by combining equal sugar and water over low heat. Until it dissolves into a syrup consistency or adds sugar to hot water until it melts and clears.

10. Bols

When it comes to orange liqueurs, you’re faced with a tough choice, Do you go with SomethingSomething old (Grand Marnier).

Or SomethingSomething new (Prairie Organic) or SomethingSomething expensive (Cointreau), or SomethingSomething affordable, Or maybe even PAMA. 

Unfortunately, there’s no perfect substitute for Cointreau but look no further than Bols Orange Liqueur if you’re on a budget.

Although not orange-flavored, it brings all of the orange’s best attributes to your drinks: delicacy and balance.

These are the two things that are extremely hard to get right in other orange liqueurs. This is especially true when it comes to making an Old Fashioned. And we think Bols gets both very right.

Uses Of Cointreau

It is mainly used in cocktails and mixed drinks such as Margarita, Cosmopolitan, and Long Island Iced Tea. Also, it’s versatile and can be used to create an impressive array of desserts, such as custards, crème Brulee and chocolate cake.

A bottle of Cointreau can be enjoyed as a delicious dessert if you don’t have time to prepare anything. However, Be sure to use quality ingredients when making these dishes.

Quality liqueurs are not cheap, so it’s good to get your money’s worth by spending more on high-quality products containing only natural ingredients such as sugar and vanilla beans.

Conclusion

Cointreau has no substitutes to make a cocktail with orange liqueur, and not using the best is almost criminal. But there are plenty of good cheap options that may be able to accomplish what you want without compromising tastes. So feel free to try new brands and see what you like!

Frequently Asked Questions