Luxardo Triplum Triple Sec

Luxardo Triplum Triple Sec is a 39% ABV (78 proof), 750mL triple sec from Girolamo Luxardo S.p.A. of Torreglia, Italy — an infusion of three citrus peels (curacao bitter orange, sweet orange and mandarin) plus orange blossom, distilled, rectified at the heart, then filtered, diluted and sugared. It won Double Gold and Best Fruit Liqueur in Show at the 2011 New York World Wine & Spirits Competition, Silver at the 2019 Bartender Spirits Awards, and 86 points at the 2019 Ultimate Spirits Challenge. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.

Triplum is one of the few liqueurs in the world obtained by distillation — the same process Luxardo has used for Maraschino Originale since the early 19th century, and Triplum itself follows production specifications from the first half of that century. Where most triple secs are simply flavored and sweetened, Luxardo infuses, distills, discards the heads and tails, and rectifies only the heart — which is why Triplum pours vibrant, sharp and elegantly dry at a full 39% that holds its structure over ice and in dilution.

Tasting profile: an intense nose of citrus fruit, bitter curacao tempered by zagara orange-blossom perfume; a smooth, enveloping palate of ripe citrus with a well-rounded, mature, elegantly dry taste. Browse the Luxardo brand collection, more liqueurs, and the full spirits collection at Del Mesa Liquor.

Serving note: built for the classics — Margarita, Cosmopolitan and Sidecar — or neat over ice after dinner and over fruit salads.

Why is it called Triplum? For its three citrus peels — curacao, sweet orange and mandarin — in the 19th-century triple sec tradition.

How is it made? By distillation: the citrus and botanical infusion is distilled and only the heart cut is rectified, then filtered, diluted and sugared.

What cocktails use it? The Margarita, Cosmopolitan and Sidecar are the canonical calls.

What is the ABV? 39% ABV (78 proof), 750mL — high for a triple sec, by design.