Zero Proof Orange Liqueur (Triple Sec/Cointreau/Grand Marnier)

Orange liqueur is a delicious way to enliven craft cocktails (mocktails!) with sweet citrus notes ~ think of the beloved margarita, boxcar and cosmopolitan, to name a few ~

The orange liqueur family classically consists of Triple Sec, Cointreau and Grand Marnier ~ these liqueurs are generally made by infusing orange peels (together with other spices/botanicals) with a sweetener + alcohol to create distinct tasting notes & aromas.

In this recipe, we’re going to be recreating some of the depth and complexity of traditional orange liqueur without the alcohol.  

A Different Kind of Orange Juice 

Many alcohol-free cocktails will simply use bottled orange juice as a replacement for orange liqueur and while orange juice is sweet it doesn’t capture the range and complexity of flavors found in orange liqueur. Making your own infusion is so easy and allows you to recreate the satisfying dimension of the liqueur while also giving you the flexibility of choosing the type & quantity of sweetener you prefer along with any additional spices/botanicals ~ so you can vary the ingredients depending on the type of cocktail you’re making and the season.

You may be surprised to discover how the infusion of 3 simple ingredients can create such a refined taste. 

Infusing with Sweetness, Spice & Botanicals

In the fall and winter, the addition of warming spices such as ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and anise can be used to expand the flavor profile of the liqueur as well as heighten its thermogenic (heat giving) properties.

In the summer, I prefer the focus to be on the oranges themselves paired with a touch of sweetness that complements the citrus rather than detracts from it.  My favorite coupling is orange and maple syrup — it’s a marriage made in heaven — I’ve experimented with a number of other sweeteners but found them to be either non-contributors or over-contributors — since this is a non-alcoholic liqueur, we want something with a little more dimension (oomph!) than your average table sugar but we also don’t want to overpower ~ I found honey to be overpowering. Of course this is all a matter of personal taste so experiment to your heart’s content.

Depending on the type of cocktail you’re making and the season, you might also consider adding herbs to the liqueur such as rosemary, thyme, mint and basil as well as floral possibilities such as lavender, orange blossom, elderflower and rose.

Highlights:

• a (beyond) simple do-it-yourself orange liqueur with wonderful flavor
• perfect for non-alcoholic cocktails ~ recipe for my virgin margarita here
• versatile and adaptable to your taste preferences and the changing seasons
• made with real food ingredients
• not too sweet ~ just the right touch (you can always add more sugar if you like)

Ways to Enjoy:

• added to mocktails & cocktails
• on its own neat or on the rocks as a digestif
• incorporated into breads & desserts (loaves, muffins, sweet breads, etc.), over ice cream or warmed up intermingled with cream for a touch of citrus sophistication

What You’ll Need:

• Orange/s: the crowning glory of this recipe is the orange — every bit of it is infused — choose ripe aromatic oranges to ensure the best flavor ~ organic is ideal.
• Sweetener: i enthusiastically recommend pure maple syrup as the best complement to the orange flavor; i found honey to be overpowering and granulated sugar just not that interesting.  This is all a matter of personal preference so feel free to experiment as you wish.  Note: the recipe calls for 1/2 cup of maple syrup which will create a moderately sweet orange liqueur — if you prefer sweeter, you can either add more maple syrup straight up to the infusion (try 3/4 cup or 1 cup) or add a touch of simple syrup at the end to your cocktail.
• Water: filtered water is recommended to avoid any impurities that may affect the taste.
• Optional Spices: feel free to experiment with spices like cinnamon sticks, cloves, cardamom pods etc. to add depth and dimension to your orange liqueur.  I’m especially drawn to these spices in the fall/winter.

If you make this orange liqueur, I would love to hear how it goes and what variations, if any, you made!  Cheers.

5.0 from 2 reviews

Zero Proof Orange Liqueur (Cointreau/ Triple Sec/Grand Marnier)

 

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A delicious alcohol-free orange liqueur that boasts complex flavor without being overly sweet

Author: kelly

Serves: 2 cups // 473 ml

Ingredients

• For Summer Cocktails:
  
• 16 fl oz // 2 cups (473 ml) filtered water
• 1 large organic orange (see instructions)
• 4 fl oz // ½ cup (118 ml) pure maple syrup
  
  
• For Winter Cocktails:
• 16 fl oz // 2 cups (473 ml) filtered water
• 1 large organic orange (see instructions)
• 1 cinnamon stick + 1 star anise (or to pref, example: clove, cardamom, ginger, black pepper, etc.)
• 4 fl oz // ½ cup (118 ml) maple syrup

Instructions

1. Place a medium sized saucepan on the stovetop
2. Remove peel from the orange with a knife (no fancy tool required) since we are using the entire orange, the pith (the white underlayer) attached to the peel is perfectly fine (adds great flavor)
3. Add peel strips to the pan
4. Cut the peeled orange in half and juice it into the pan (don't worry if seeds get in), releasing all of the orange juice -- now add the juiced half portions to the pot too (every bit of the orange is used in this recipe)
5. If making the "fall/winter" recipe, add cinnamon stick & star anise (or spices of preference) to the pan
6. Add water and maple syrup to the pan and stir to combine all ingredients
7. Bring mixture to a rolling boil and then reduce to an active simmer for approximately 15-20 until the mixture reduces somewhat and is saturated with flavor (you should be left with about 2 cups (473 ml) of liqueur)
8. Remove the pan from heat and allow it to cool for 10 minutes
9. Place a large strainer/sieve over a bowl or measuring cup (see photos) and carefully pour the entire contents of the pan into the sieve allowing the liquid to drain through
10. Using the back of a large spoon, press against the oranges to release more juice
11. Allow the liqueur to cool fully before transferring to a storage container (such as a mason jar or other lidded bottle of choice) cover and refrigerate
12. This diy orange liqueur will last about 2 weeks (or longer) well sealed in the fridge. Simply shake before use.
13. Enjoy!

3.5.3251