What’s the difference between Cointreau, the esteemed French Triple Sec, and Mouse Kingdom Quad Sec, our new Citrus Liqueur from Manchester, in the UK.
Short answers: Cointreau is a triple sec, it’s the most famous one, and yes, it tastes delicious. Here’s how it compares with Mouse Kingdom’s Quad Sec.
Is Cointreau a triple sec?
It is. “Triple sec” describes a style: a clear, orange-flavoured liqueur, usually bottled at around 40% ABV, but varying from around 20-40% abv. Cointreau is the best known in the category. It’s made from sweet and bitter orange peels, in Angers, France.
According to Difford’s Guide, it uses bitter orange peel from the Caribbean and sweet orange peel from Spain, with neutral alcohol from sugar beet, sugar and water. It contains 228g of sugar per litre.
So when a recipe says “triple sec”, Cointreau is a safe, reliable choice. That’s why it sits neatly in your drinks cabinet.
What is Quad Sec?
Quad sec is our reply to triple sec. When we first distilled it, it used pomelo peel, and dried orange, grapefruit and lemon sourced from around the Mediterranean.
In the last few years, we moved to sourcing our citrus from waste juiced citrus. We collect orange, grapefruit and lemon from Manchester’s bars on the day they juice. But we couldn’t source Pomelo as a waste source.
So we decided that being ethical with our ingredients was more important than a name.
So now Quad sec is just one better than triple sec. And it has a sugar content much lower than Cointreau, at 180g of sugar per litre.
Handmade in Central Manchester, with a full ingredient list on the label. UK law doesn’t require that for alcohol, we do it because you deserve to know what ends up in your Spicy Marg.
Cointreau vs Quad Sec at a glance
| Cointreau | Mouse Kingdom Quad Sec | |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Classic triple sec | Drier triple sec, with more funk. |
| Citrus | Sweet and bitter orange peel | Grapefruit, lemon, orange, sourced from waste. |
| ABV | 40% | 40% |
| Size | 70cl | 70cl |
| Made in | Angers, France | Central Manchester, UK |
| Typical UK price | Roughly £30+ at many stockists (e.g. £31.50 at Oxford Wine), though prices vary | £25.25 at The Whisky Exchange |
| Ingredients on label | None | Full list on label |
How different do they taste?
You know Cointreau: clean, round, orange-forward, with the balanced citrus people expect from a triple sec.
Quad Sec adds grapefruit, pomelo and lemon to the orange, so you should expect a more bittersweet and balanced citrus-led profile with a sharper, zestier edge. With underlying Grapefruit estery funk.
One of our reviews on The Whisky Exchange describes it as fresh, zesty and good in margaritas. But taste it yourself and judge accordingly. The Whisky Exchange
Which should you use?
Reach for Cointreau when you fancy something a bit sweeter and more reassuring.
Reach for Quad Sec when you want a livelier, more bittersweet edge:
- Margarita: the extra grapefruit and lemon suit tequila’s vegetal funk.
- Paloma: our distilled grapefruit peel echoes the grapefruit juice.
- Drier and more 2026 versions of any cocktail containing Triple Sec.
FAQ
Is Cointreau the same as triple sec?
Cointreau is a brand of triple sec. “Triple sec” is an orange liqueur and Cointreau is the most popular example.
Can I use Quad Sec instead of Cointreau?
Yes. Both are 40% and 70cl, so you can swap them in any triple sec cocktail. Expect a more adult and bittersweet result when pouring Quad sec.
Is Quad Sec cheaper than Cointreau?
Often slightly, depending on where you shop. Check current prices, as retailers vary.
Where can I buy Quad Sec?
Direct from Mouse Kingdom Liqueurs and from retailers like The Whisky Exchange.
Love Cointreau? Keep it. Want to see what recycled Mancunian citrus does to your next margarita? Try Quad Sec.
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