Sidecar
A Cognac sour with orange liqueur and lemon juice served up with a sugared or clean rim.
The Sidecar is a classic Cognac sour that marries brandy, orange liqueur, and fresh lemon juice. Cognac supplies richness and dried-fruit notes, while triple sec or curaçao adds orange sweetness. Lemon juice provides sharp acidity that keeps the drink lean and focused. Served up in a chilled cocktail glass, it can be presented with a sugared rim or left clean for a drier style.
Ingredients
- • 2 oz Cognac
- • 0.75 oz orange liqueur
- • 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
Did you know?
“The Sidecar likely emerged in the years around World War I, with both Paris and London claiming early versions. It appears in 1920s bar manuals like those associated with Harry‚Äôs New York Bar and the Savoy. Wondrich and other researchers highlight its structural kinship to Daisy-style cocktails that combine spirit, citrus, and orange liqueur. Ratio debates continue, but modern practice favors a bright, citrus-forward profile rather than a heavy, sweet drink.”
Bartender's Note
Balance the orange liqueur and lemon so the drink finishes dry; a partial sugared rim can provide contrast without overwhelming the palate.
How to make the Sidecar
- 1If using a sugared rim, moisten the outside of the cocktail glass rim with lemon and dip part or all of the rim in sugar, then set aside to dry
- 2Add Cognac, orange liqueur, and fresh lemon juice to a shaker filled with ice
- 3Shake until well chilled
- 4Fine strain into the prepared chilled cocktail glass
- 5Garnish with a thin lemon twist and serve
