Post #291085 by Ojaitimo on Sun, Mar 11, 2007 5:20 PM

Ok, I guess its too dangerous for the Bum to come on Tiki Central himself so here is his response regarding Curacao vs Triple Sec.

On 3/8/07, Tim Keenan wrote:
Hi Jeff,

Could you weigh in on this discussion regarding triple sec and curacao on TC?
Thanks Tim

Aloha Ojaitimo,

Yes, triple sec, Cointreau, Curacao and Gran Marnier are all orange-based. That doesn't mean they're interchangable. Sausage, ham, bacon and pork ribs are all pig-based. Do they taste the same? The difference between Curacao, which is distilled from the dried peels of bitter oranges, and triple sec, which is a sweeter orange-flavored product, is pronounced. To take a non-Tiki example: there are hundreds of Margarita recipes, most calling for triple sec and some for Cointreau -- but I've never seen one that substitutes Curacao for triple sec. That should tell us something about subbing triple sec for Curacao in a Trader Vic Mai Tai. In the words of Grandmaster Flash: "Don't do it!" That is, if you want a true, classic Mai Tai. Everyone has different tastes -- so if you happen to prefer triple sec over Curacao, make your Mai Tai with triple sec. Drinking is all about making yourself happy!

Cheers, Bum