Types of Orange Liqueurs

Grand Marnier

• The most popular orange liqueur to drink and cook with is Grand Marnier. It was first created by Louis Alexandre Marnier in Angers, France, in 1880, according to the Grand Marnier website. The spirit is made of bitter orange peels mixed with Cognac, which is then aged in oak barrels. Drink it neat or on the rocks. The liquor is copper-colored and leaves a smooth, bitter orange taste on your tongue. Add it to desserts for an extra ounce of bitter orange and almost a honey flavoring.
  
  

Triple Sec

• Grand Marnier is a type of triple sec, which means triple distilled. However, it is not the only triple sec on the market. Triple Sec was invented in France in 1834 by Jean-Baptiste Combier, according to BarOneDrinks. It adds a hint of orange flavoring to cocktails such as the Cosmopolitan. Brands of triple sec include Marie Brizards, Rose's, Arrow and DeKuyper, according to DrinkMixer.
  
  

Cointreau

• Cointreau is another high-quality triple sec like Grand Marnier. However it has a different flavor and coloring. Cointreau is clear and has a slightly bitter orange flavor. It was founded by Adolphe and Edouard-Jean Cointreau in 1849, according to the company website. The liquor is flavored with orange peels from both Curacao and Spain. Cointreau is used in cocktails such as The Sidecar, Cosmopolitans and Margaritas. It is also used in sauces and deserts.
  
  

Curaçao

• Curaçao is another form of triple sec. It is a liqueur flavored with the dried peels of oranges from Curacao. It is also made with lemons and laraha citrus fruit peels, sugar and wine, according to DrinksHaven. The liqueur has a stronger orange flavor and is often blue or orange, even though the coloring is artificial. It is used to flavor drinks such as Margaritas, Martinis, Blue Hawaiian, Blue Lagoons and Electric Lemonade.