Short Path Triple Sec

Short Path Triple Sec is an 80-proof (40% ABV) orange liqueur from Massachusetts. That strength puts it at the high end for the category. Many triple secs bottle closer to 30%, so this one reads drier and more orange-forward than its sweeter, lower-proof counterparts. The producer describes it as made with all-natural ingredients and aimed at a balance of sweetness and citrus zest. Expect a clear spirit with a fresh orange-peel nose, a moderate sugar level that supports the fruit without syrupy weight, and a clean, slightly warming finish. The exact peel varieties and recipe aren't specified, so treat those expectations as typical of the style. The higher proof matters most behind the bar. A triple sec in a Margarita, Cosmopolitan, Sidecar, or Long Island Iced Tea does two jobs: it adds orange aroma and sweetness, and it adds alcohol that helps hold the drink's structure. A full-strength bottle like this one lets you pour a standard half-ounce to three-quarters of an ounce without the drink turning cloying. It also works in a Margarita split with a little agave if you want the citrus to stay sharp. In a Cosmopolitan, it rounds out the tartness of cranberry and lime. In a Sidecar, it sits alongside cognac and lemon. For a Corpse Reviver No. 2 or a White Lady, a smaller pour adds orange without covering the gin. Sipping it is possible, but it isn't the main use. If you want to try it straight, pour about an ounce over a large ice cube in a rocks glass and add an orange peel twist, or chill the bottle in the freezer first, since the proof keeps it pourable. A tall serve is simpler still: two ounces over ice with soda water and a lemon or lime wedge gives a light, dry orange highball. Splashing a measure into sparkling wine also makes an easy, orange-scented aperitif. In the kitchen, it can stand in for orange liqueur in recipes. Try it in a citrus glaze for pound cake, in a crêpe pan sauce, or macerated with sliced strawberries. As with most liqueurs, keep the bottle capped and stored away from heat and direct light. It doesn't need refrigeration, though a short chill makes it more refreshing neat or in a sour.