Post #43371 by thejab on Thu, Jul 17, 2003 12:11 PM

On 2003-07-17 11:42, tikibars wrote:
I was about to bring this up, and Al - always on the ball - sorta beat me to it. My question: In a pinch, what do you guys think of using Triple Sec when Curacao isn't available. Has anyone done comparisons?

I've tasted them side by side and came to these conclusions:

Triple Sec has a subtle orange flavor and is quite sweet - not really enough orange flavor for a good Mai Tai.

Orange Curacao is made from special oranges and so has a different flavor than any other orange liqueur - just right for a Mai Tai.

Cointreau is stronger in flavor than curacao (more tart) and may be too bold for a Mai Tai if one uses 1/2 oz. I've tried it in a Mai Tai and preferred curacao.

Grand Marnier is an orange flavored cognac and also may be too strongly flavored in a Mai Tai unless one uses less than 1/2 oz.

I think the key in a Mai Tai is to let the flavors of the rum come through. Which is why aged rums are better and the flavorings are used sparingly. You don't want orange or almond flavors to dominate the drink.