With the emergence of more trendy cocktail options, the sweet, sour, and citrusy Sidecar seems to have been forgotten in recent years. Which, in my humble opinion, is a cocktail tragedy. The Sidecar doesn’t require a wood smoker, vapor blaster, or oversized ice cubes to find its appeal. The Classic Sidecar leaves the pretensions of modern mixology trends in the dust simply by being a delicious drink. This easy yet elegant cocktail is made with the highest quality ingredients giving it a rich flavor that will never go out of style.
The Sidecar is a classic Prohibition Era cognac-based elixir made with Cointreau (orange liqueur) and fresh lemon juice. Similar to the Whiskey Sour but with a deeper, more sophisticated flavor profile. Thanks to the orange liqueur which lends a more floral, fruity touch, and the unique depth of cognac, it’s one of my favorite easy-sipping drinks that I regularly work into my rotation of cocktails.
Like most classic cocktails, its history is murky and hotly debated. Most generally agree that the drink came into existence sometime around World War I, and was named after the motorcycle attachment. There is some controversy about the proper ratios for a Sidecar –– some folks opt for a one-to-one ratio of Cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice, but I prefer going heavier on the Cognac because a Sidecar is a drink for a good time.
If you don’t have Cointreau on hand, Grand Marnier, Triple Sec, or even Orange Curacao will technically do the trick, but I feel that Cointreau adds the brightest, superior citrus flavor to my Sidecars. Whereas Grand Marnier makes each sip feel just a little bit too heavy for my taste. If you are going to make a drink with these amazing ingredients, you may as well make it right! So, don’t you dare let Miss. Mixer catches you using store-bought lemon juice!
Most recipes incorporate a sugared rim for extra sweetness but if you want even more depth of flavor, try using brown sugar for a subtle touch of molasses.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces Cognac
- 3/4-ounce Cointreau
- 3/4-ounce fresh lemon juice
- 1 orange peel, for garnish
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, for garnish
Directions
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine Cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice. Shake for 20 seconds, until chilled on the outside.
- Using half, a lemon wedge, coat the rim of the coupe glass. Dip into a plate of granulated sugar to rim the coupe.
- Strain the drink into a rimmed coupe glass. Garnish with orange peel.
