The Sidecar

The Sidecar has a touch of class that few other cocktails provide. That being said, if you’re new to sours then it can be a little strong, and you might want to try some of the variations I list below.

With that, here’s the classic recipe

Ingredients:

• 2.5 oz cognac
• 1 oz triple sec
• 1 oz lemon juice

Preparation:

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake well and strain into cocktail glass.

The original recipe is really sensitive to your choice of cognac and triple sec.

For a bit of bite to it, use a Remi Martin VS, or VSOP with a standard well triple sec.

For a slightly smoother sidecar try Courvoisier VSOP.

Cointreau is an excellent triple sec, but it’s 80 proof (vs 30 or 40), so you can’t have as many drinks before feeling it.

My Favorite Variations

Armagnac Sidecar

Armagnac is a French brandy that comes from Gascony and is a bit heavier flavor. It’s well suited for palates that really like to taste the underlying alcohols in cocktails. Preparation is identical, just substitute 2.5 oz Armagnac for the Cognac.

I’ve been experimenting with Jollite VSOP with good results.

Blood Orange Sidecar

For a visual and sweetness punch-up add 1oz of Blood Orange juice to the classic. You get a beautiful ruby red color, the flavors of orange, and a bit sweeter taste.

Sidecar With Simple Syrup

If you’re working with especially sour lemons, or you’re serving to people who don’t handle bitterness very well, consider adding 0.5 oz of simple syrup when mixing. It won’t change the underlying fruit or alcohol flavors but will cut some of the bitterness and give a fuller mouth feel.

On The Rocks

This is more my wife’s thing, but leaving the ice in will both serve to keep the drink cold, and slowly dilute the drink as it melts. No two sips will be the same, which can be fun if you like the changing interplay between the sourness of the lemon and the strength of the Cognac.