Top 10 Best Triple Sec Cocktail Recipes

1. Sidecar

An iconic turn of the century brandy cocktail, the Sidecar was invented in the Paris Ritz during the 1920s. It consists of just the following ingredients:

• 40 ml (1¼ Oz) Cognac
• 30 ml (1 Oz) Triple Sec / Cointreau
• 15 ml (½ Oz) Lemon Juice
• 1 Lemon Peel

Just shake the ingredients with ice and then strain the contents into a well-chilled coupe glass. You can garnish it with a lemon twist or even a whole wheel. Consider swapping the cognac for Armagnac or Calvados for a unique regional twist. Alternatively, you can use gin instead to make a White Lady!

2. Margarita

Although its distinctive glassware may have played a role, the Margarita is one of the most famous summertime cocktails out there. Often made with Cointreau, consider experimenting with different triples secs for a unique result.

It consists of the following:

• 45 ml (1½ Oz) Tequila
• 30 ml (1 Oz) Triple Sec
• 20 ml (¾ Oz) Lime Juice
• Lime Wedge
• 1 Tsp Sea Salt

Start by rimming the glass with the sea salt by moistening it first in lime juice and then rolling it in the salt. It doesn’t necessarily need to be a margarita glass but can be a tumbler instead. Fill the glass with crushed ice to chill it while you prepare the ingredients.

Add the ingredients to a mixer with ice and shake until cold. Strain the ingredients into the glass. You can discard the crushed ice or replace it if desired first. Garnish with a lime wedge.

3. Corpse Reviver N°2

More popular than the original, ominously named Corpse Revivers were first created as hangover cures. Corpse Revivers have been around since the mid 19th century and offer a boozy experience, to say the least.

You will need the following ingredients in equal 30 ml (1 Oz) measures unless stated otherwise:

• Dry Gin
• Triple Sec
• Quinquina
• 1 Dash Absinthe

Shake all of the ingredients together with ice and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with an orange peel.

As a side note, Lilet Blanc is often used as the quinquina. However, it was reformulated and is far sweeter as it contains less quinine than before. If you’re looking to make an authentic Corpse Reviver N°2, we suggest opting for some of the alternatives we list in our guide to the best quinquina.

4. Long Island Iced Tea

The Long Island Iced Tea is both celebrated and infamous given that it’s deceptively loaded with multiple spirits that are concealed by a portion of Coca-Cola. It can be served in either a pitcher or a single long glass.

You’ll need the following shopping list per serving:

• 15 ml (½ Oz) Rum
• 15 ml (½ Oz) Vodka
• 15 ml (½ Oz) Gin
• 15 ml (½ Oz) Tequila
• 15 ml (½ Oz) Triple Sec
• 30 ml (1 Oz) Lime Juice
• Coca-Cola
• Lime

Add all of the alcohol to the bottom of a glass or pitcher. If you opt for dark rum, we suggest extending its complexity with reposado tequila. Add the lime juice and stir before topping up with ice, Coca-Cola to taste, and then garnishing with the lime cut into wedges.

5. Prince Of Wales

A lesser-known historical cocktail, legend has it that it created by King Edward VII when he was still a prince in the late-19th century. That said, its first appearance was in the book “Drinking With Dickens” that was written by Charles Dickens’ grandson.

It requires the following ingredients to make:

• 15 ml (½ Oz) Medium-Dry Madeira
• 15 ml (½ Oz) Cognac
• 15 ml (½ Oz) Champagne
• 1 Tsp Triple Sec
• 1 Dash Angostura Bitters
• 1 Cherry

Stir the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and strain into a coupe or champagne flute. Garnish with the cherry. Traditionally, it’s served in a glass mug or silver cup if you prefer.

6. Cosmopolitan

Famous for its distinctive pink hue, the Cosmopolitan is a renowned tequila cocktail. You’ll need the following ingredients to make it:

• 45 ml (1½ Oz) Tequila
• 20 ml (¾ Oz) triple Sec
• 15 ml (½ Oz) Lime Juice
• 15 ml (½ Oz) Pomegranate Juice
• Raspberry

Stir all the ingredients in a mixing glass and strain over ice into a cocktail class. Finish with a raspberry garnish as well as fresh mint leaves if desired.

7. Tamed Zombie

This notorious Tiki cocktail was created in 1934 by Donn Beach to help a hungover customer get through a business meeting. When he returned to the Hollywood Don The Beachcomber restaurant several days later, he complained that it turned him into a zombie.

Today, customers in various bars are typically limited to just two Zombie cocktails given its monstrous potency. However, this slightly less concentrated version swaps out absinthe in favour of Triple Sec. It isn’t the traditional version but it won’t be quite as lethal!

You’ll need:

• 45 ml (1½ Oz) Jamaican Rum
• 45 ml (1½ Oz) Gold Rum
• 30 ml (1 Oz) Demerara Rum
• 20 ml (⅔ Oz) Fresh Lime Juice
• 25 ml (¾ Oz) Triple Sec
• 15 ml (½ Oz) Falernum
• 10 ml (⅓ Oz) Grapefruit Juice
• 1 Tsp Cinnamon Syrup
• 1 Tsp Grenadine syrup
• 1 Dash Angostura bitters

The process is simple: Mix all the ingredients in a shaker with crushed ice and then strain into a tall glass. Most bars use glasses in the shape of skulls and given its high ABV even after adding other juices, it’s sometimes set alight directly. Occasionally, a fruit is hallowed out or imbibed with alcohol to light as a boat.

You’ll note that three different rums are traditionally used in a Zombie. Although we’re already not being entirely loyal to Donn Beach, we still recommend three rums, at the very least. If you don’t have rums from these specific appellations, simply opt for aged, amber, and white rum instead.

8. Kamikaze

Although it sounds lethal, “kamikaze” actually just means “divine wind”, which is quite nice if you ignore its other uses in the past. The cocktail is a simple and effective refreshing that just consists of three ingredients in equal measures:

You will need the following:

• Vodka
• Triple Sec
• Lime Juice

Shake all the ingredients with ice and strain into a cold cocktail or coupe glass. One 30 ml (1 Oz) shot of each will be sufficient. Garnish with a citrus wheel and enjoy.

9. D’Artagnan

Named after the fourth Musketeer who hailed from Gascony, this cocktail pays hommage to Armagnac, a brandy often overlooked in favour of the neighbouring cognac. Given the use of brandy, it’s typically made with Grand Marnier. However, you can choose to use triple sec if you prefer.

You’ll need the following ingredients:

• 15 ml (½ Oz) Armagnac
• 15 ml (½ Oz) Triple Sec
• 60 ml (2 Oz) Orange Juice
• 7 ml (¼ Oz) Simple Syrup
• Brut Champagne

Shake the Armagnac, Grand Marnier, orange juice, and syrup with ice and strain into a chilled coupe glass. Top up with Brut Champagne to taste. Given the use of simple syrup, avoid using sweet Champagne or sparkling wine like Prosecco.

10. Singapore Sling

Invented around 1915 by Ngiam Tong Boon, a bartender of the Raffles Hotel Long Bar in Singapore, the Singapore Sling is a classic. However, it’s also the subject of dozens of variations. Therefore, you’ll often find contradictory recipes from different sources.

The following is our derivative based on the IBA’s official recipe. It just needs the following ingredients:

• 30 ml (1Oz) Gin
• 15 ml (½ Oz) Cherry Liqueur
• 10 ml (⅓ Oz) Triple Sec
• 10 ml (⅓ Oz) DOM Bénédictine
• 10 ml (⅓ Oz) Grenadine Syrup
• 10 ml (⅓ Oz) Pineapple Juice
• 15 ml (½ Oz) Lime Juice
• 1 Dash Angostura Bitters

Pour all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until cold. Strain into a chilled tall glass and garnish with wedges of pineapple and cherries.

What Next?

Now that you have read about the best triple sec cocktails, why don’t you check out some of our related spirit guides?

• What Is Triple Sec?
• Best Triple Sec Brands
• What Is Jenever?
• Sambuca Guide
• Best Spirit & Liquor Glassware
• Alcoholic Spirit Homepage