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    Home » Recipes » Drinks

    Classic Sidecar Cocktail

    Published: Dec 28, 2019 · Modified: Apr 9, 2022 by Emily This post may contain affiliate links

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    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
    • Related 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

    What is VSOP?

    VSOP means Very Superior Old Pale. VSOP cognacs are made from eaux-de-vie that have been aged for at least four years. The VSOP category has designations such as Old or Reserve. XO means extra old; XO cognacs are made from eaux-de-vie that are at least six years old.

    Is Armagnac a brandy?

    Yes, it is a notable brandy produced in the Armagnac region in Gascony, which is in southwest France.

    Is Triple Sec the same as Cointreau?

    Triple sec is a liqueur made from the skins of oranges and ranges in alcohol content from 15% to 30%. Cointreau is a proprietary orange liqueur made from sweet and bitter orange skins and has an alcohol content of 40%.

    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!

    Related recipes

    • Tamarind Margarita
    • Blood Orange French 75
    • Blood Orange Margarita
    • Meyer Lemon French 75

    Have you tried this Sidecar cocktail recipe? If you make this Sidecar Cocktail Recipe, 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.

    Sideview of 2 sidecar cocktails in coupe glasses

    Classic Sidecar Cocktail

    Emily Miller
    The Sidecar cocktail is a brandy sour drink that's perfect for celebrating in style. With cognac, triple sec, and lemon juice, it's easy to make and delicious. Add a sugar rim to your coupe glass for a touch of sweetness!
    5 from 18 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 1 min
    Chilling time 15 mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2 servings
    Calories 203 kcal

    Equipment

    • cocktail shaker
    • Nick and Nora cocktail glasses

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup organic cane sugar finely ground, optional
    • 1 cup ice
    • 3 oz cognac
    • 2 oz triple sec
    • 1 oz lemon juice freshly squeezed

    Instructions
     

    • Rub the edge of each coupe glass with lemon before gently rolling the edge in sugar, if desired.
    • Chill the glasses in the fridge for 15 minutes.
    • While the glasses are chilling, place a cup of ice in a cocktail shaker.
    • Add cognac, triple sec, and lemon juice.
    • Shake vigorously for 10 to 20 seconds and pour it in the chilled coupes or martini glasses. Garnish with a lemon or orange twist if desired.

    Notes

    • If you like the contrast of sweetness, add a sugar rim to your coupe glass. If you don't have fine sugar, simply blend the sugar in a food processor.
    • Be careful not to get sugar inside the glass, keep it on the outside only. Use a damp cloth to remove any sugar that falls in the glass, and to level the edge of the sugar on the glass to approximately ¼-inch to ½-inch.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1glassCalories: 203kcalCarbohydrates: 15.4gProtein: 0.1gSodium: 1.2mg
    Keyword brandy, cocktail, lemon, triple sec, winter
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Resplendent Kitchen offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site as a courtesy. Although resplendentkitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information from online calculators, these figures are estimates.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kayla DiMaggio

      October 25, 2021 at 11:33 am

      5 stars
      This sidecar cocktail was so delicious! It was the perfect date night drink!

      Reply
      • Emily

        October 25, 2021 at 12:57 pm

        Thank you for your comment, Kayla! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    2. Choclette

      October 25, 2021 at 11:33 am

      5 stars
      Your photos are beautiful. Even though I wasn't really in the mood for cocktails before reading this, I kind of am now. Sounds delicious.

      Reply
      • Emily

        October 25, 2021 at 12:56 pm

        Thank you so much, Choclette! It really is a lovely cocktail, I hope you try it!

        Reply
    3. Holly

      October 25, 2021 at 6:23 pm

      5 stars
      Easy and classic. These will be lovely at Thanksgiving!

      Reply
      • Emily

        October 25, 2021 at 10:10 pm

        Thank you so much, Holly! I hope you enjoy them!

        Reply

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    Emily Miller

    Hi, I'm Emily! I love to share my passion for tasty and nourishing plant-based food. You'll find seasonal vegan recipes here with the occasional indulgence. I hope to inspire you to try something new and eat more plants along the way!

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