5 Substitutes for Grand Marnier (Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Options)

An orange-flavored liqueur used in cooking, baking, and cocktails, Grand Marnier is an amazing addition to almost anything it touches.

That said, it’s pricey, and you may not want to use alcohol in whatever it is you’re making. Luckily, there are both alcohol and non-alcohol-based substitutes for Grand Marnier that work well.

The top substitutes for Grand Marnier include orange extract, orange juice, and orange juice concentrate, triple sec, Cointreau, and Curacao.

Depending on your needs, some of these may be a better choice than others. Let’s get into it.

Non-Alcoholic Substitutes for Grand Marnier

1. Orange Extract

Orange extract is the most ideal non-alcoholic substitute for Grand Marnier, as it’s the closest in flavor, but without the alcohol. 

It’s very concentrated, so you will only need a few drops in your mocktail/cocktail or baked good to get the rich, citrus flavor it provides. It makes for an amazing glaze, too!

2. Orange Juice & Orange Juice Concentrate

Two different things, both very easily substituted for Grand Marnier. 

Orange Juice

Orange juice is probably the easiest non-alcoholic substitution for Grand Marnier. You can substitute orange juice in anything from mocktails/cocktails to baked goods to an orange glaze on your favorite chicken dish. 

Orange juice, as it caramelizes, gives off a rich flavor that works well in the place of Grand Marnier. For best results, try using freshly squeezed orange juice over store-bought juice. Don’t use frozen oranges or orange juice for this!

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Orange Juice Concentrate

Orange Juice Concentrate is actually more similar to orange extract than it is to orange juice. It has an orange flavor concentrate that is in between that of orange extract and orange juice. 

Orange Juice concentrate is best utilized in cocktail recipes and in baked goods. You’ll need at least a few tablespoons to taste the difference, so be sure to compensate with your other ingredients.

Alcohol-based Substitutes for Grand Marnier

3. Triple Sec

Drier than Grand Marnier, Triple Sec is a colorless liqueur that is similarly flavored with orange peel and bitters. Talking about liqueur, learn more about Disaronno and its taste.

It’s not as sweet as Grand Marnier, so if you’re using it in a cocktail, you may need to add some sweetness if that’s something you prefer. Otherwise, the two can be somewhat interchangeable.

4. Cointreau

Cointreau is the opposite of Triple Sec as it is sweeter. Its sweetness makes it a perfect substitute for Grand Marnier. It’s another orange-flavor liqueur with a secret ingredient mixed in: alcohol from distilled sugar beets. 

Cointreau is great in both cocktails like margaritas and cosmopolitans, and it is best used in sweeter baked goods. You don’t need much to get the flavor. A teaspoon or up to a tablespoon is plenty enough.

5. Curacao Liqueur

Curacao is a sweet digestive liqueur made with the dried peel of a bitter orange laraha, a citrus fruit related to oranges.

Curacao can be found as a blue liquid, making it a fun mix-in for cocktails. If you’re using it in a baked dish and aren’t hoping to turn it blue, you can also use original curacao.

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Curacao is more concentrated of a liqueur than Cointreau or Triple Sec. You only need a teaspoon for a comparable taste to Grand Marnier.

Whether you’re looking for an alcohol-based substitute or non-alcoholic-based substitute for Grand Marnier, all of your bases are covered from this list.

If you’re worried about the alcohol content in some of these substitutes and the effect it might have on your baked goods, it’s worth noting that the alcohol will burn off as it’s cooked. This just leaves a rich, orangey taste for you to enjoy.

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