More Classic Cognac Cocktails
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Tart, dry, with a sugary sweet rim, the Sidecar is one classic cocktail recipe you'll want to keep in your back pocket. While it might seem unbelievable that a cognac cocktail could be equal parts rich and refreshing, fruity yet full of depth, I’m here to tell you that the Sidecar does just that. Best of all, you really only need three ingredients (brandy, lemon juice, and an orange liqueur such as Triple Sec and Cointreau) to mix up this cocktail that makes for an excellent after-dinner drink.
As you can imagine, the origins of the Sidecar are a bit… fuzzy (perhaps due to enjoying one too many??), but generally the drink arrived on the scene around World War II. Some say the name comes from a bartender who crafted the cocktail for a customer who arrived to the bar in a motorcycle sidecar, while others say the name refers to the liquid leftover after shaking and pouring the drink into the glass, which leaves a shot glass-sized amount to be enjoyed on the side. No matter how you shake it, the Sidecar is delicious proof that what’s old is new again—and for good reason.
Before we get to mixing, ready your glasses for the (very optional) sugar rim by swiping a cut lemon around the rim of a cocktail glass and dip in sugar to coat.
Next, it’s time to break out your cocktail shaker. Combine the Cognac, lemon juice, triple sec, and ice in the shaker and shake until cold.
Then strain into prepared glass and garnish with a lemon peel. Could a cocktail be any easier? I think not.
Full list of ingredients and directions can be found in the recipe below.
lemon wedge (optional)
Granulated sugar, for rim (optional)
cognac
fresh lemon juice
triple sec (such as Cointreau)
Ice
Lemon peel, for garnish
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