Thanks to their citrusy bitter-sweet flavor, orange liqueurs have become a part of every menu in most bars and restaurants. Ranging from distilled beverages to neat ones, the orange liqueurs are offered in flavored and sweetened forms.
Some orange liqueurs are also blended with seeds, herbs, nuts, spices, and flowers. One such beverage is orange curacao. Although the drink packs a punch of fantastic flavor, it’s not easy to find on your local shop or bar menu.
So to help you find a citrusy drink similar to orange curacao, we’re sharing some substitutes for you below!
Orange Curacao Substitutes
This is the fruit liqueur that is distilled from the bitter orange peels. The orange peels are used from the laraha citrus-grown on the Curacao island. It is widely used in cocktails because of its refreshing flavor and color.
Orange curacao has a unique sweet yet bitter orange flavor. Since it’s hard to find from small liquor stores, we are sharing alternatives you can enjoy instead!
First up is Grand Marrier, a cherished orange liqueur made with top-notch brandy. There are no neutral spirits in this liqueur. Grand Marnier has a very distinct flavor, and it will stand out for its unique orange flavor in any mix.
The flavor of oranges is derived from dried peels of bitter citrus. These also give the liqueur its signature golden color.
Besides these, the liqueur has the aged, intense, and oaky flavors of the brandy. Grand Marnier can be added to cocktails, but some people also use it for baking recipes. Orange liqueur and dense chocolate cakes can yield deep and rich flavors from this alcohol.
2. Triple Sec
This is the orange-flavored liqueur with a clear appearance. It is distilled from the macerate of orange peels (dried ones), along with a neutral spirit. This is a French beverage and is available from different brands.
Triple sec is the go-to liqueur option for most chefs and bakers as it goes great in cakes, custards, and crepes.
The high-end triple sec will have an intense orange flavor while the aroma is similar to orange blossoms and bitter oranges. The alcohol count ranges from 20% to 40% for affordable brands and 38% to 42% for high-quality brands.
This beverage can be added to cocktails, but you can serve them on the rocks or neat as well.
3. Aurum
Aurum is an orange-flavored liqueur with brandy as a base. It is native to Pescara and is made with aged brandy.
Before bottling, aurum is aged for a specific period, which decides the flavor. The longer the alcohol ages, the more flavor it imparts.
Aurum has a smooth and sweet flavor, but the aroma will be dominated by an orange scent. It can be added to ice creams and desserts. It’s served at bars as both cocktails and on the rocks as well.
4. Gran Gala
This is an orange liqueur with a rich flavor and has a brandy base. Gran Gala is native to Italy and was first made in Trieste. Gran Gala has a velvety and smooth texture and is known to be the finest brandy out there.
Also, the fresh orange infusion makes it a great substitute for orange curacao. It has an amber color and smells of fresh oranges or candied oranges. Gran Gala has a warming and long finish, but flavor notes also include caramel, spices, vanilla, and cocoa.
It is suitable for cocktails, but some people even use them in cooking recipes.
5. Blue Curaçao
Blue Curaçao is actually a type of Curacao liqueur that has a colorless appearance before artificial blue color is added to it. The flavor is reminiscent of Laraha oranges, sticking to the sweet-smelling bitter notes. However, the taste can slightly differ with the brand.
Generally, blue curacao is added to cocktails to add vibrancy and a punchy, acidic, citrus taste. Blue Hawaii is a popular drink choice that uses this liqueur. The drink can also be added to desserts like mousse, brownies, mascarpone, and cupcakes.
6. Picon
This is a French liqueur with a bittersweet orange taste and flavor, though it leans more on the bitter side. It’s often mixed with beer when served at bars.
Picon is the combination of herbs, spices, neutral alcohol, and caramel. As far as the spices and herbs are concerned, they include cinchona bark, orange zest, and gentian root. For the most part, picon is a great ingredient for cocktails like picon Biere and picon punch.
7. Orange Juice
What’s better to impart a burst of citrus flavor than an innocent OJ, right? If your recipe or drink only needs orange flavor and can manage a non-alcoholic substitute, then orange juice is a great option.
However, it is better to reduce the orange juice to syrup because it improves the intensity of flavor. Some people also add orange juice concentrate or orange zest (they work as well). In addition to orange juice, you can also use orange extract, though it must be used in a lesser amount!
8. Mimosa
Can’t seem to find a delicious orange liqueur to drink? Well, you can always grab a few mimosas at a bar or restaurant!
Mimosas are perhaps the most popular orange cocktail of them all. While they aren’t liqueurs and can’t be used in cooking or baking, they still make for tasty refreshments. To make mimosas at home, all you need is orange juice and champagne (or Prosecco).
A classic mimosa needs these two ingredients to be added to the glass in equal parts. You can use Prosecco or other sparkling wines instead of champagne too.
To pour a mimosa elegantly, put the champagne in the glass first, and then add your orange juice. This prevents bubbles from escaping the wine glass. You can add a dash of any orange liqueur on mimosas too.
9. Apple Brandy
If you want an orange liqueur replacement in cooking, then using apple brandy is a solid idea. This brandy is mainly prepared by distilling cider though it can be manufactured from apple butter apple juice and unsweetened apple concentrate.
You’ll get a bitter-sweet taste with hints of sourness from both apple brandy and orange liqueur, which is why they’re interchangeable options in many recipes.
If you simply want a drink neat or on the rocks, apple brandy is still a good choice. The flavors come in two styles- American and European. American apple brandy tends to be a little sweeter, with hints of vanilla.
European apple brandy has more tannins from the oak barrel it’s kept in and contains a variety of other spices. If you’re a light drinker who needs a little fruity alcohol, then American brandy is better for you.
10. Garibaldi
Want another drink mix you can whip up at home but don’t have many ingredients? Then you should try making a Garibaldi. This Italian cocktail only needs two items- Campari, and freshly squeezed oranges.
Campari is an Italian bitter liqueur with saturated red color and a deep flavor profile. It has several notes of fruity, spicy, and bitterness. This well-known spirit is famously used in Negroni.
To make this cocktail, you need to froth your orange juice until it becomes foamy. You can use a blender or handheld whisk for this. From there, add your Campari and ice. You can top this drink off with an orange-flavored liqueur as well.
An important thing to remember when mixing Garibaldi is to never add orange juice from a bottle you purchased at a local store. The magic lies in freshly-squeezed orange juice.
Different types of oranges can yield different notes in the final drink. Valencia oranges are the classic go-to option for drinks like this. However, you can use clementines, satsumas, and blood oranges in place of Valencia.