Bright, refreshing and lighter on the palate than your average liqueur, triple sec is made from a blend of dried sweet, fresh sweet and dried bitter orange peels (typically sourced from Haiti and the Caribbean) that are macerated in vats of neutral base alcohol made from sugar beets. As for the name, triple theoretically refers to the number of distillations the infused alcohol undergoes before being bottled, though this triple distillation claim has since been called into question. Sec, which is French for dry, is also kind of misleading; while it may be drier and less syrupy than its early predecessors, triple sec is definitely on the sweeter side and best used in moderation. But don’t let that make you nervous, because it’s also pretty forgiving to work with—if you use too much, just add a touch more citrus to balance it out.

The best of the sweeter, affordable options is Bols, which boasts a simple, nostalgic taste that’ll remind you of artificial orange candy, worth using for batch cocktails, Long Island Iced Teas, and Margaritas on a budget. On the bitter side there’s Pierre Ferrand, a dry, subtly spiced triple sec that can stand up to the aged rums in tiki drinks like Mai Tais. But if you’re a minimalist looking for one bottle to rule them all, we suggest you go one level up and spring for Cointreau, an allpurpose option that’s crisp, clean and balanced. Cointreau’s elegance and blankslate character makes it endlessly riffable, a fabulous option for going offscript and creating your own cocktails. (A good starting point to experiment from is a simple 2:1:1 ratio of base spirit, triple sec and lemon/lime juice.) And if you’re you’re interested in keeping it simple and sipping a triple sec on the rocks or as a spritz, treat yourself to some Grand Marnier, a richer, darker and more complex premium bottle that uses cognac as a base spirit instead of neutral alcohol.

But honestly, grab any of these bottles and you won’t go wrong. Whether you’re an amateur mixologist or a career bartender at a Michelinstarred restaurant, this versatile liqueur is an essential weapon in your arsenal.