Find out what you can use in place of orange Curaçao in your favorite drink recipes if you don’t have this ingredient on hand.
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If you’ve just started mixing up a drink and realized you don’t have an essential ingredient – orange Curaçao – don’t worry.
In this post, we’re going to talk about what orange Curaçao is, what it tastes like, and seven specific liqueurs and ingredients you can use to replace this liqueur in your drink recipe right now.
Before you give up on your drink altogether, be sure to read this post for the best substitutes for orange Curaçao.
What is orange Curaçao?
Orange Curaçao is an orange-flavored liqueur that’s made from bitter orange peels from the island of Curaçao.
What does orange Curaçao taste like?
Orange Curaçao tastes similar to triple sec, an orange liqueur, but with a slightly bitter finish. It is an orange liqueur and can be used in the same way you’d use a triple sec.
You may be familiar with blue Curaçao, a bright blue colored liqueur. Orange Curaçao is the same liqueur but without the blue coloring.
What can I use in place of orange Curaçao?
There are a number of substitutes you can use in place of orange Curaçao in your drink mixing. Try anything with a similar orange flavor to add a sweetness and tangy flavor that you’d expect from orange Curaçao.
7 Best Substitutes for Orange Curaçao
If you don’t have orange Curaçao on hand, try one of these substitutes in your drink recipe instead.
1. Blue Curaçao
Blue Curaçao and orange Curaçao are basically the same liqueur, but with a different color. If your had to pick one option to replace orange Curaçao in a recipe, this should be your first choice as it’s the closest in flavor.
2. Triple sec
Just about any brand of triple sec can be used in place of orange Curaçao. When orange Curaçao is called for in a drink recipe, you know it’s mostly for the orange flavor.
Since triple sec is a general term for an orange flavored liqueur, you know this option will work well for your cocktails and mixed drinks to replace orange Curaçao.
3. Grand Marnier
Grand Marnier has an orange flavor like orange Curaçao, but it also has notes of vanilla, oak, and toffee in its flavor profile. If you’re substituting orange Curaçao in a recipe, choosing Grand Marnier in its place will only give you a more complex and rich flavor. Hopefully resulting in an even better drink.
4. Cointreau
Cointreau is a name brand of triple sec, or orange liqueur. This brand is a great substitute for orange Curaçao, because it has a similar flavor and consistency.
5. Gran Gala
Gran Gala is a brand of triple sec made in Italy that will work well substituting for orange Curaçao in your favorite mixed drinks, because of its orange flavor and full-bodied sweet, fruity flavor.
6. Aurum
Aurum is an Italian brand of orange liqueur that works well to substitute orange Curaçao, because of its flavor and that it has a sweet and smooth finish. If you have this on hand, feel free to use it in your favorite recipes that call for orange Curaçao.
7. Orange juice
If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic substitute for orange Curaçao, try simple orange juice. While the color may not be the same, the flavors of orange will come through.
Most orange juice is cloudy, so this may make a difference in how your drink comes out, but rest assured that the flavor will still have the orange notes that you’re after when mixing up your cocktail or mocktail.
If you’ve been wondering what you can use in your favorite drinks to substitute orange Curaçao, I hope this information has been helpful for you.
Try one of these seven orange Curaçao substitutes next time you find your home bar without this liqueur, and know that there are other options to make a great tasting drink without it.