I have tried many ingredients for Grand Marnier Substitutes, even to find which is the best substitute available.
I’m sure you are here looking for the best substitute for Grand Marnier, right? OK, don’t worry, finding a substitute for Grand Marnier is not easy, but through experience, I have found many substitutes that can and are suitable for use in recipes that require Grand Marnier. We are here to help you find the right replacement.
What is Grand Marnier?
Grand Marnier is triple-sec mixed with cognac. So, you can easily make it yourself at home using only these two ingredients. Apart from using these two ingredients, you can also use gran gala or orange liqueur, or mix cognac with orange oil.
For those of you looking for a non-alcoholic version, consider using orange juice or orange flower water.
What is the Best Substitute for Grand Marnier?
Ok, let’s dive further to find the expected replacement.
I’ve made a lot of margaritas in testing looking for a replacement for Grand Marnier. Here, I will share with all my friends which ones work best in replacing Grand Marnier in recipes.
Grand Marnier is a liqueur made from bitter oranges and cognac. The alcohol is 40% ABV, and this is the highest compared to other spirits.
Below are some of the best substitutes for Grand Marnier, according to personal experience, so this may differ from other sources.
Use of Grand Marnier
Below are some uses of Grand Marnier and its best substitutes in certain situations. So, in some situations, when you can’t find Grand Marnier, you can use the substitute shown.
– For cocktails:
You can use other orange liqueurs. You can also use orange extract combined with cognac. For a non-alcoholic version, you can use orange flower water; orange juice can also be an alternative in an emergency.
– For sauces:
If you want to replace it with sauce, then you can use orange juice and vodka instead of Grand Marnier. You can also use other liquor if you have stock.
– For desserts:
You can use gran gala to replace Grand Marnier in desserts. Orange flower water can also be a great addition if this is young for you.
Best Grand Marnier Substitutes
Ok, here we look at the 10 best substitutes for Grand Marnier in recipes.
1. Triple Sec
Triple Sec is a famous liqueur with an orange flavor. This orange is agriculturally produced in France.
The orange taste is similar to Grand Marnier, but there is a downside, where the taste is less sweet or less rich compared to Grand Marnier.
Triple sec consists of several types. The most similar to grand Marnier, so that it is used as a substitute is Cointreau. This strain matches Grand Marnier’s ABV at 40%. There is a slight spicy taste.
The usage ratio is: replace in a 1:1 ratio with triple sec.
2. Gran Gala
Another orange liqueur that can replace Grand Marnier is Gran Gala. This liquor has a base of brandy, giving it the warmth of a normal liquor.
If we compare the taste, Gran Gala is less sweet than Grand Marnier. However, if you want the same sweet taste, you can always add a teaspoon of syrup to your cocktail.
Gran Gala is cheaper than Grand Marnier. To replace Grand Marnier, you can use 1:1 with Gran Gala.
3. Other orange-flavored liquors
Orange liqueurs that are very similar to Grand Marnier are Triple Sec and Gran Gala. But apart from these two, there are many other liquors that can replace it.
If you want to make a more fun cocktail, you can replace the Grand Marnier with Blue Curacao. The scent is similar to orange with a bitter hint, but the bright blue color makes it stand out in drinks.
Apart from using blue Curacao, there are several liquors based on brandy, which can also be the best substitute for grand Marnier. For example, bauchant or grand monarch. It is also cheaper than Grand Marnier.
Usage is 1:1
4. Orange extract/oil and cognac
We know that Grand Marnier is made from cognac and triple sec, so you can easily replace it with orange extract or orange oil plus cognac.
Between the two, I prefer orange oil because of its rich aroma, but there is a drawback orange oil is less stable compared to the extract.
If you don’t have cognac, you can replace it with various types of brandy.
How to substitute: Substitute with a 1:1 ratio.
5. Orange blossom water
Orange flower water is an elegant one and it is a non-alcoholic alternative to Grand Marnier.
It is true that orange flower water does not have a sweet aroma like cognac, but it has a soft floral aroma, so it is a pleasant substitute for Grand Marnier.
The taste of orange flower water is much milder compared to Grand Marnier, so it is suitable for use in cocktails without adding many other ingredients.
If you don’t have orange blossom water, you can buy a bottle of orange blossom water at a grocery store, or buy it online.
How to substitute: Replace in a 1:1 ratio.
6. Orange juice
Orange juice is one of the best substitutes for Grand Marnier; it is very simple and easy to get.
Using old orange juice will not give a very similar taste, but it will give the impression of orange like in Grand Marnier, which is why many people use old orange juice as a substitute for Grand Marnier.
Pro tip: For a strong taste, you can use orange juice concentrate.
7. Homemade orange liqueur
If you don’t have a Grand Marnier, you can use other ingredients or make your own orange liqueur. This is not as difficult as you might imagine. You can easily make it; it just takes a long time to soak the orange peel in spirit; you have to soak the orange peel for 3 weeks.
The process can be done manually. The method is to cook it into simple syrup. A simple recipe from Spiritgyde is to use vodka as the base ingredient, but if you don’t have it you can use any brandy you like. You don’t need to use cognac to make the taste more similar to Grand Marnier.
How to substitute: Replace in a 1:1 with homemade orange liqueur.
Other Best Grand Marnier Substitutes to Consider
There are several other substitutes, so in total there are 10 types of substitutes that you can save. Among others are:
– Campari
Campari is a classic Italian alcoholic drink with a pronounced orange flavor that is somewhat similar to the taste of Grand Marnier. It has a bitter taste and this would be more interesting as a substitute for Grand Marnier, but if you want a little sweetness and a balanced taste, you can add a little vermouth.
-St. Germain
This is an elderflower liqueur. If you want a floral, subtle-tasting substitute for grand Marnier, then this is it.
– Orange zest
This is not the best substitute for the Grand Marnier you are looking for. However, you can use orange zest as an option in times of emergency, there is a tinge of orange flavor that comes out of this drink.
Check out more:
- The BEST Amaro Nonino Substitutes
- These are the BEST Substitutes for Pineapple Juice
- Best Sabana De Res Recipe
Conclusion
There are many best substitutes for Grand Marnier, and this makes it easier for you to find them, but the one that is really good in our opinion is Triple Sec. But this is up to your individual experience. You can experiment with various other liquors to find a suitable substitute. For an alcohol-free or non-alcoholic substitute, you can use orange flower water.
Ingredients
- Zest of 2 oranges
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups vodka/brandy
- 1½ cup water
Instructions
- Peel your two oranges, avoiding the white part, then place the orange peels in a jar and add your vodka. Close the jar tightly and let it sit for 3 weeks in a cool, dry place to let the mixture soak.
- On the last day, mix two glasses of sugar and 1.5 glasses of water in a sauce pan, stir until the sugar dissolves, bring to a boil, and let the syrup cool.
- Strain and discard the skin. Combine the vodka infusion with simple syrup, stir well, and transfer to an airtight bottle.
Nutritional value: Serving: 1oz | Calories: 80kcal
