Classic Sidecar

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.

How To Make A Classic Sidecar

INGREDIENTS

• Cognac: A type of Brandy made in the Cognac region of France, Cognac is a distilled, barrel-aged liquor made by fermenting the juice of white wine grapes. It imparts a bittersweet, spicy flavor with notes of burnt sugar and candied citrus fruits that makes it a great pairing for tart lemon juice and sweet orange liqueur. Some of our favorites for a Sidecar include affordable, well-known brands such as Rémy Martin, Courvoisier, Maison Rouge, and Hennessy.
• Lemon Juice: To cut through the richness of Cognac, lemon juice is key to keep this cocktail balanced. You can also swap out the lemon juice for other tart juices you have on hand, such as pomegranate or grapefruit.
• Orange Liqueur: While lemon juice brings the sour to this sour-sweet cocktail, sweet orange liqueurs (like Triple Sec and Cointreau) will complete it by adding a touch of sweetness.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

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.

Recipe Tips

• The sugar rim is completely optional when it comes to mixing up a classic Sidecar. That being said, this cocktail is on the drier side of the spectrum, so that bit of added sweetness helps to cut through the dryness of the Cognac backbone. If you find your Sidecar too sour (and don’t want to fuss with a sugar rim), bump up the sweetness with a little more triple sec.
• Feel free to play with the proportions to find your ideal Sidecar. The original Sidecar is said to have been a 1:1:1 ratio of Cognac, lemon juice, and orange liqueur, but our take is a more modern take (so roughly a 2:1:1 ratio) that highlights and maximizes the caramelized notes of the Cognac while maintaining that sweet-sour brightness.