- June 24, 2021
- "Book" Club
How To Make Sugar Free Triple Sec (Orange Liqueur)
Learn how to make sugar free triple sec (orange liqueur) at home with fresh orange peel, low-carb sweetener, and a neutral spirit. This easy DIY orange liqueur is perfect for keto cocktails like margaritas, cosmopolitans, and orange-forward mixed drinks without the added sugar.
I have been making crafted sugar-free and keto-friendly cocktails for well over three years now (check out my cocktails tab for all the yummy drinks). While most alcohol and spirits are zero carbs, many crucial cocktail mixers (like orange-flavored liqueur) are packed with a lot of sugars and thus have higher carbs.
While I already have mastered recipes on my site like this widely popular keto simple syrup, and have made other liqueurs like my homemade keto Kahlua, it was time to create a sugar-free version of a classic triple sec, Cointreau, and other various orange liqueurs used in countless cocktail recipes.
With only a handful of ingredients, a little time and patience, and using the right low-carb sweetener, you can easily whip up a batch of this crucial cocktail mixer and use it in drinks like a keto margarita, make a keto-friendly cosmopolitan, and many more!
Get all the details below as I answer common questions, give you all the techniques and storage tips so you’re never without this perfect sugar-free substitute. Let’s dive in!
Supplies:
- Small Saucepan or Pot
- Whisk
- Knife and Cutting Board
- Glass Jar (for storage)
What is triple sec?
Triple sec is a clear, orange-flavored liqueur that is bright, citrusy, and similar to an orange-flavored vodka. There are various brands available and range in quality.
It’s a great way to add an orange, citrus flavor that’s a little more well-rounded than adding lemon or lime juice to a drink. Liqueurs are also a way in which cocktails get some of their sweetness as well.
What is the difference between triple sec and Cointreau?
Triple sec is actually slightly different from other orange liqueurs like Cointreau and Curacao, but this sugar-free substitute is a good way to still get a similar flavor profile without the carbs.
While triple sec is a very bright, orange flavor (think similar to orange juice infused with vodka), Cointreau, on the other hand, is made with a combination of sweet and bitter orange peels that are infused.
Orange peels are a key component to both liqueurs, however, because the natural orange oils or orange extract are what help make a much more intense flavor
How many calories are in triple sec?
Traditional triple sec is roughly 11 carbs of sugar and about 250 calories (this may vary depending on the brand). That’s a lot of carbs for one cocktail if you’re trying to stay in a state of ketosis!
This is why using a low-carb sweetener like allulose (which is zero carbs) works best for creating this sugar-free version. You get the same texture and similar sweetness to a normal triple sec, but it’s zero carbs instead.
What is triple sec used in?
Most commonly, you will find this in many margarita recipes. I like to use it in these cocktail recipes:
- Hatch Chili Margarita
- Red White and Blue Margarita (dye the triple sec blue to get the effect)!
- Mezcal Mule
- Cosmopolitan (made two ways)
- Jalapeno and Blackberry Margarita
Ingredients:
Here is what I use/ recommend:
- Allulose Sweetener– I often talk about the properties of allulose and how it makes the perfect traditional sugar-free simple syrup. It doesn’t re-crystalize when it cools or has an odd aftertaste. I do find it to be less sweet compared to other low-carb sweeteners (but I personally prefer this anyway). Substitutes for this brand are Boca sweet or xylitol (but this is deadly to pets, so be careful if you use it.
- Orange Peels- The orange peels contain the most flavor because of the natural oils. I infuse this into the allulose syrup I make to really extract the citrus flavor. Avoid adding too much of the pith (or the white part of the orange peel) because it will make it bitter.
- Vodka- This is a liqueur, so it needs liquor! Pour this into the orange syrup mixture and let it all fuse together. Any brand of vodka is fine, I use one I like to drink!
- Water- This is needed to make the syrup base before you add the vodka.
Instructions:
Follow the steps to make my easy keto simple syrup. Remove the syrup from the heat and allow the orange peels to infuse and extract their flavor in the warm syrup off the heat.
Once it cools to room temperature, transfer the whole mixture into a cocktail shaker or glass jar. Add in your vodka and shake it all together so the syrup mixes in. Seal it into a container and store it in the fridge or on your bar.
How To Store Sugar Free Triple Sec
Proper storage helps preserve the bright orange flavor and keeps your homemade sugar free triple sec fresh for months.
1. Use a Glass Bottle or Jar
Transfer the finished liqueur to a clean glass bottle, mason jar, or swing-top bottle. Glass is best because it won’t absorb flavors or react with the alcohol.
2. Keep It Refrigerated (Best Option)
Store the orange liqueur in the refrigerator to maintain the freshest flavor. Because this recipe contains alcohol, it will stay stable for quite a while when chilled.
3. Store In a Cool, Dark Place if Needed
If your recipe uses a higher-proof alcohol, it can also be stored in a cool pantry or bar cabinet away from direct sunlight.
4. Shelf Life
Homemade sugar-free triple sec typically lasts 2–3 months in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container. The alcohol acts as a preservative, helping maintain flavor and quality.
5. Shake Before Using
Some natural separation from the citrus oils can occur over time. Simply give the bottle a quick shake before adding it to cocktails.
Pro Tip:
If you want a longer shelf life, strain the liqueur very well through a fine mesh strainer or coffee filter to remove any remaining orange peel particles.
More Recipes To Try
How To Make Sugar Free Triple Sec (Orange Liqueur)
Ingredients
- 1 Batch Keto Simple Syrup
- 1 large Orange peeled (use the peel not the orange)
- 2 cups Vodka
Instructions
- Start by making a batch of Keto Simple Syrup (you need to use allulose for this recipe to come out the correct texture – see more information linked).
- Once you remove the keto simple syrup from the heat, add the peel of an entire orange to the hot syrup and let it steep like this until the mixture cools to room temperature.
- Once the syrup is cooled, pour it into a jar or container and add the vodka. Shake it so it mixes and let it rest at least 24 hours before removing the orange peels.
- Store in the fridge or on your bar (it is shelf stable) and use it in place of triple sec or other orange liqueurs.
Brilliant! I’m hypoglycemic but love a great margarita… you nailed it for me, thank you.
I’m so glad you can use this!
How much simple syrup? It says one batch but the recipe just says equal amounts. Thanks
Hi,
So the 1 batch recipe is linked in the recipe card (the word batch should be highlighted in blue and is clickable). It takes you to the simple syrup recipe which is 1 cup water to 1 cup allulose. Hope that helps!
Allulose isn’t approved for sale in Europe yet so it’s not an option. If I do a keto simple syrup recipe with erythritol, should that work for this triple sec too? I’m trying to crack a keto version of a long island iced tea
I personally do not love erythritol as a sub here, it often crystalizes and when cooked down in liquid has a very chemical taste (to me personally). You can definitely try it and see if it works. If not, if you can get access to liquid stevia that may be helpful here instead. I hope you find a good solution!
Would it help bring out the orange flavor if you also added a little orange extract?
You could definitely do that if you prefer!
Hello is the nutrition correct? If 1 gram is 69cal? And 1 cup is around 250grams, this means 1 cup is like 16,000 cal? I must be missing something. Do you use less of this for the same effect as regular triple sec?
Hi! No, it’s actually for the entire batch. My recipe card sometimes auto defaults to 1 g, but I went through and double checked and reset the coding and its showing up accurately now. Sorry for the trouble!
You say storebought Triple Sec is 11 grams sugar, but you don’t say what the volume is. 11 grams per quart of liquid would be extremely low-sugar; per teaspoon would be extremely high. I looked it up: Triple Sec is 11 grams sugar per “shot” (shot = 1.5 fluid ounces or 3 tablespoons or 45 ml). But simpler is to remember the amount of sugar per ounce (= 2 tbsp or 30 ml) which is 7.3 grams.
I made this once with vodka and once with brandy. I Jane to admit, brandy is the way to go. It’s more like Cointreau. Give it a try.
Amazing substitute for the real
Thing. Have used this recipe many times and always have a bottle ready for my margaritas!! So simple and easy to make
What bout using sugar-free syrups such as DaVinci or Torano? Saves having to make your own (both are made with Splenda).
I haven’t tried those- let me know how it works for you 🙂