(n.) One of the two main styles of sweetened orange liqueur, triple sec is thought to have been invented by the French in the 19th century as a drier alternative to the curaçao style, the Dutch liqueur made from pot-distilled brandy and orange peels. There is some debate about the name, which translates to “triple dry,” but most believe it’s a reference to either the number of times the original liqueur was distilled or its comparative level of dryness to curaçao. Today’s triple secs, made from neutral grain spirit flavored with orange peels and sugar, are most often clear. Cointreau is the best-known brand in this category.
Triple Secs are usually consumed in mixed drinks, such as the Margarita and the Sidecar.