Sidecar Cocktail Recipe

The Sidecar is a classic cocktail that is perfect for any occasion. This easy-to-follow recipe will show you how to make one at home in just a few simple steps. So, gather your ingredients and get ready to mix up a delicious drink!

Can you believe that this classic cognac drink is over a century old? Yet, after all these years, it remains a favorite!

This brandy sour is a dry cocktail. It contains cognac, fresh lemon juice, and orange liqueur and features a sugared rim. The sugared rim is optional; however, this cocktail is sour and not particularly sweet, so the sugared rim is a nice touch.

Jump to:

• History of the Sidecar
• Equipment
• Ingredients
• How to make a Sidecar Cocktail
• FAQ
• More cocktail recipes
• Classic Sidecar Cocktail

History of the Sidecar

To help you celebrate in Gatsby's style just like they did in the 1920s, I present the Sidecar, an iconic drink of the era which had its debut during the Prohibition period.

There are lots of exciting stories as to how the drink came about and how it got its name. As I researched the background of the original Sidecar in the early days, I enjoyed learning more about the 1920s and the popular libations. This drink likely originated around World War I.

The origin of the Sidecar drink appears to be from Pat McGarry, a bartender at London's Buck Club, in the 1922 edition of Harry McElhone's book Harry's ABC of Mixing Cocktails. This cocktail recipe is also found in "Cocktails and How to Mix Them" by Robert Vermeire.

Both books show the Sidecar with equal parts cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice. Later versions changed the ratios to two parts cognac, one part Cointreau, and one part lemon.

An English and French bar both claim to have created the cocktail for a customer who arrived in the sidecar of a motorcycle. However, some say that the Sidecar referred to the mixture left in the shaker after straining and served on the side in a shot glass.

Equipment

You don't have to be an expert in the fine art of mixing drinks to make this classic Sidecar cocktail! Here's what you need:

• cocktail shaker
• ice
• coupe glasses or martini glasses - I love these Nick and Nora glasses.

Ingredients

Use quality ingredients for the best results. Otherwise, this traditional recipe will have a harsh flavor.

• Brandy or cognac, which is a type of French brandy - I used VSOP cognac; you can also try a good Armagnac or other types of brandy.
• Triple sec or your favorite orange liqueur - I used Cointreau in this recipe for its combination of dryness and sweetness.
• Citrus juice such as fresh lemon juice.
• Sugar, such as finely ground organic cane sugar for the rim of the glass (optional) or superfine sugar, optional but recommended to balance the sourness.
• Orange or lemon twist (optional)

How to make a Sidecar Cocktail

There are many recipes with different ratios of cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice. The recipe I'm sharing is a twist on the French original, which has one ounce of each, for one drink.

The sugar lining on the edge of the coupe started showing up in recipes in 1934. The Sidecar is usually served with a sugar rim and is shaken, not stirred.

Here's how to make it:

• Chill your coupe glasses in the fridge after rolling the edges of the glasses in fine sugar if desired
• Prepare your garnish if using a lemon or orange twist
• Add cognac, triple sec, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
• Shake vigorously for 20 seconds, pour, and enjoy!

FAQ

I’d love to hear how this Sidecar cocktail turned out for you. And if you have any questions about the recipe, feel free to ask. I’ll do my best to help. In the meantime, cheers – and enjoy your delicious Sidecar cocktails!

More cocktail recipes

Have you tried this Sidecar cocktail recipe? If you make this cocktail, let me know what you think by ★★★★★ star rating it and leaving a comment below. You can follow me on Instagram and share your creation with me. Just tag me @resplendentkitchen and hashtag #resplendentkitchenrecipes!