402887 Fri May 18 12:13:21 -0700 2007 16 36 Spirits 0 2581925 I am making Sangria and I usually use couintreau and brandy but just realized that the bottle of cointreau in my cabinet is Triple sec. Can I use it? Will there be any appreciable difference in the end product? Fri May 18 12:13:21 -0700 2007 13202 emilief 1 2581931 For Sangria, I think you will be fine. Fri May 18 12:14:00 -0700 2007 2581925 50082 TonyO 1 2581934 Cointreau and Triple Sec are both orange flavored, and in the case of Sangria, I'm not sure it matters which you use. Some purists might disagree with me. Fri May 18 12:14:44 -0700 2007 2581925 52499 ChefJune 1 2582089 A couple of factors to consider: Cointreau is one of the costlier orange flavored liqueurs on the market, about $30/bottle. However, it has a beautiful, not overly-sweet orange flavor. If you take pride in your sangria, it might be worth spending a little more for the cup or so you need for most recipes. I think a lot of rock-bottom Triple Secs (most of the stuff on the market) are overly sweet and hangover fodder. Then again, most sangria recipes don't require you to use a lot. I think you need to be aware of the sweetness issue: you'll need to add less additional sugar with cheap Triple Sec than you would with Cointreau. I lately discovered Marie Brizzard Triple Sec, which while not cheap ($20/bottle), is cheaper than Cointreau, and much nicer than the $6-8 Triple Secs. I use this for my top-shelf Margaritas to good effect (I think it has a nicer orange flavor than Cointreau, my old Margarita standby). There are some other options that are better than cheap Triple Sec: some better brands of Curacao, and some Grand Marnier knockoffs. Fri May 18 12:46:31 -0700 2007 2581925 10143 MC Slim JB 2 2582423 Thanks! Fri May 18 14:18:32 -0700 2007 2582089 13202 emilief 1 2583297 I love orange, and orange liqueurs, and tend to "collect" them. I currently have 10 different orange liqueurs. A thread on another site got me interested in comparing them, so I sat down over the course of a few nights and performed some methodical taste tests. If you're interested you can read it over on my blog, at http://scottesrum.blogspot.com/search/label/Shootout%3A%20Orange%20Liqueurs Fri May 18 20:05:35 -0700 2007 2581925 95422 Scottes 2 2583413 A very valuable comparison. I've been thinking about doing something similar with the range of orange-flavored liqueurs and cordials that are available in Greater Boston: I haven't seen several of the ones you've included locally. A real inspiration, thanks! Fri May 18 21:22:10 -0700 2007 2583297 10143 MC Slim JB 3 2583700 I live just north of Boston, so all of these are available to you. The Marie Brizard Orangero may tough, since I found that in a type of "close-out" section in one store, and apparently they don't make it any more. Sat May 19 05:26:32 -0700 2007 2583413 95422 Scottes 2 2585320 great website! i really enjoyed your reviews. Sat May 19 21:08:13 -0700 2007 2583297 17708 warrenr 2 2586238 If you ever get a chance try these absolutely fantastic rum based orange liqueurs. Each is amazing in its own way. Clement Creole Shrubb liqueur from French Martinique, which is made from excellent aged Clement Rhum agricole and aged, sun dried, 'white' curacao orange peel. St. Teresa Orange liqueur from Venezuela, made with the great, aged St. Teresa solera rhum. Sun May 20 12:14:22 -0700 2007 2583297 10732 JMF 3 2586499 I've debated about the Clement Creole when I saw it once, but I think I bought 4 bottles that trip so I had to put something back. I won't next time, thanks. St. Teresa Orange? I just wish I could find *any* St Teresa around here. I've been dying to try the 1796 for years. I'm going to try an orange rum infusion later tonight. Now to find a couple of worthwhile rums... Sun May 20 14:41:31 -0700 2007 2586238 95422 Scottes 4 2587275 Where are you located that you can't get St. Teresa? I know they are new to import. Maybe I can ship you some stuff. i am a rum fanatic as well and may be able to turn you on to some new ones. i have around 70 rums at home that I have to start reviewing so they pay for themselves. Starting June I will be doing a major push on super premium rum reviews. Sun May 20 20:51:55 -0700 2007 2586499 10732 JMF 5 2587571 I'm in Massachusetts, and I don't think St Teresa is distributed in Mass. And it's illegal to ship alcohol to Mass, so I can't even order it online. I'm not worried yet - I have plenty of other rums available, and I'll keep hunting. At some point I'll get frustrated and find a way to obtain it. :-) Mon May 21 03:11:53 -0700 2007 2587275 95422 Scottes 2 2951760 Thanks the reviews were helpful. Another Triple Sec that has not been mentioned here is Luxardo Triplum, about $20. The guy at my store said that it is a good alternative to Cointreau for cocktails, so I am planning to give it a try. Tue Sep 18 08:00:53 -0700 2007 2583297 16728 kenito799 1 2881715 Cook's Illustrated has a sangria recipe in their May/June 1998 issue. They tasted Cointreau, Curaco, Grand Marnier and Triple Sec. They say Triple Sec is the "surprise winner for its bold, sweet flavor." Sat Aug 25 19:21:40 -0700 2007 2581925 122152 blackpippi 2 2883457 What kind of Cuaracao and what kind of Triple Sec? Saying that Triple Sec is the "surprise winner..." is kinda ridiculous since there are many different brands and they can taste extremely different. Sun Aug 26 15:10:45 -0700 2007 2881715 95422 Scottes 3 2954909 They have done a couple of tastings of orange liqueurs. The one that mentioned the brands used Leroux triple sec. Cointreau came in dead last two separate times, one time noting that the orange flavor of it was the faintest. Wed Sep 19 05:26:38 -0700 2007 2883457 10996 JK Grence the Cosmic Jester