Calories:200
Fat:0g
Protein:0g
Carbohydrates:10g
Alcohol:20%
I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.
Last Updated: January 7, 2024
The Sidecar is a classic cocktail that is believed to have been created around the end of World War I. It is said to have been first made in either London or Paris, with the Ritz Hotel in Paris often being credited as its birthplace. The cocktail is named after the motorcycle sidecar, which was a popular mode of transportation at the time. The Sidecar is a favorite among those who enjoy a balance of sweet and sour flavors, with a hint of sophistication.
The Sidecar is a delightful mix of sour, sweet, and strong flavors. The combination of cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice creates a smooth and refreshing taste, with a hint of warmth from the cognac.
The Cognac is the soul of the Sidecar, bringing warmth, complexity, and a hint of sophisticated woody notes. At 2 oz, it's just the right amount to assert itself without overpowering the bright citrus flavors. Go less, and the drink loses its backbone; pour more, and you might as well be drinking it straight!
Our 1 oz of Orange Liqueur is the sweet whisper balancing the tartness of the lemon. It's like the middle child that knows how to keep the peace at home. Without it, the drink becomes a sour grump, but with it, you get a harmonious melody in your mouth.
At 0.75 oz, freshly squeezed Lemon Juice is your tart spark plug, invigorating the cocktail with a citrus zing. It's all about ratio here; too little and it's a flat tire, too much and it's a lemon crime. Fresh is best—bottled simply doesn't bring the same zesty cheer.
A teaspoon of Sugar on the rim isn't just for looks—it beckons with a sweet kiss before the real citrusy affair begins. Skip it if you're not into public displays of confection, but it does offer a tactile element of fun and balance to each sip.
And finally, the Lemon Twist. It's more than a pretty garnish; it's a fragrant little hat that waves hello with every sip, releasing essential oils that lift the entire drink. It's the twist at the end of the story that makes you smile.
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Switch out cognac for bourbon to give a more American twist, adding a vanilla and oak profile. The rest stays true to the classic. This sibling of the original Sidecar has a bit more kick and a smoky accent—perfect for those who love a twist of the Wild West.
Ingredients: Bourbon (2 oz), Orange Liqueur (1 oz), Lemon Juice (0.75 oz), Sugar (rim, optional), Lemon Twist (garnish)
Introduce pineapple juice (0.5 oz) and replace cognac with rum (2 oz) for a summer holiday vibe. The pineapple adds a sweet island flair, and the rum brings in a beachy vibe that'll make you want to dig your toes into the sand.
Ingredients: Rum (2 oz), Orange Liqueur (1 oz), Lemon Juice (0.25 oz), Pineapple Juice (0.5 oz), Sugar (rim, optional), Lemon Twist (garnish)
Add a dash of cinnamon syrup (0.5 oz) to the original recipe to warm things up. Pair with a spiced cognac if you're feeling bold. It's like wrapping the classic Sidecar in a cozy sweater and sitting by the fire—comfort in a glass.
Ingredients: Cognac (2 oz), Orange Liqueur (1 oz), Lemon Juice (0.75 oz), Cinnamon Syrup (0.5 oz), Sugar (rim, optional), Lemon Twist (garnish)
Add your ingredients to the shaker first, then ice. Fill it up to ¾ of its capacity to ensure enough space for shaking. Hold the shaker with both hands (one on the top and one on the bottom) and shake vigorously. The shake should come from your shoulders, not your wrists.
Learn everything on how to shakePlace your chosen strainer on top of the shaker or mixing glass, ensuring a secure fit. Pour the cocktail into a glass through the strainer, which will catch solid ingredients and ice. If double straining, hold the fine mesh strainer between the shaker and the glass.
Learn everything on how to strainGarnishing a bar drink depends on the type of garnish and the cocktail. Generally, it involves preparing the garnish (like cutting a citrus wheel or picking a sprig of mint), and then adding it to the drink in a visually appealing way (like perching it on the rim or floating it on top).
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The Sidecar cocktail can be enjoyed at any time, but it is traditionally served as an evening drink or after dinner as a digestif.
While the traditional way is to serve it in a coupe glass, any short-stemmed glass such as an old-fashioned or rocks glass would work as well.
Classic French dishes, gourmet cheeses, or desserts like chocolate truffles and lemon tarts pair especially well with the Sidecar.
Yes, you can create a non-alcoholic version of the Sidecar by using non-alcoholic substitutes for cognac and orange liqueur, such as non-alcoholic distilled spirits and orange juice respectively.
Yes, you can easily scale up the recipe to make a punch bowl. Make sure to add the lemon juice just before serving to keep it fresh.
The Old Fashioned has a rich, complex taste that is both sweet and bitter. The whiskey provides a strong, warming base, while the sugar and bitters add a touch of sweetness and a hint of spice. The orange and cherry garnish add a subtle fruity note.
The Manhattan cocktail is a well-balanced blend of sweet, bitter, and strong flavors. The sweetness comes from the vermouth, while the bitterness is derived from the aromatic bitters. The whiskey provides a robust and full-bodied taste, making the drink a perfect choice for those who enjoy a strong and complex cocktail.
The Whiskey Sour is a well-balanced cocktail with a tangy, sour taste from the lemon juice, a subtle sweetness from the simple syrup, and a rich, warming sensation from the whiskey. The egg white adds a smooth, creamy texture.
The Mojito is a refreshing, sweet, and slightly sour cocktail with a hint of mint and a subtle rum kick. It is a well-balanced drink that is both invigorating and easy to sip.
The Martini has a crisp, clean, and slightly herbal taste. It is a strong and sophisticated cocktail with a hint of bitterness from the vermouth.
The Daiquiri is a refreshing, tangy, and slightly sweet cocktail with a hint of citrus. It has a light and crisp taste, making it perfect for warm weather or as an aperitif.
The Vieux Carré is a complex and well-balanced cocktail with a smooth, rich taste. It has a hint of sweetness from the cognac and herbal notes from the Bénédictine. The rye whiskey adds a spicy kick, while the vermouth and bitters provide a slightly bitter undertone.
The French Connection has a rich, smooth, and slightly sweet taste with a hint of nuttiness from the Amaretto. The Cognac adds a depth of flavor and warmth, making it a perfect after-dinner drink.
The Alabazam cocktail is a delightful mix of sweet, sour, and bitter flavors. It has a rich, velvety texture and a complex, layered taste that evolves as you sip it. The combination of cognac, lemon juice, and orange liqueur creates a bright, citrusy base, while the sugar and bitters add depth and balance.
The Long Island Iced Tea is a complex blend of flavors, combining the sweetness of cola and sour mix with the boldness of multiple spirits. It is a strong, yet surprisingly smooth cocktail with a slightly bitter aftertaste.
The Caipirinha has a refreshing, tangy, and slightly sweet taste. The combination of lime and sugar provides a perfect balance of sour and sweet, while the cachaça adds a unique, earthy flavor. The drink is strong, yet smooth and easy to sip.
The Boilermaker is a strong, robust, and slightly bitter cocktail. The combination of whiskey and beer creates a bold and warming flavor, with the whiskey providing a smooth, rich taste and the beer adding a refreshing, slightly bitter note.
The Amaretto Sour is a sweet, tangy, and slightly nutty cocktail. The sweetness of the Amaretto is balanced by the sourness of the lemon juice, creating a refreshing and flavorful drink.
The Apple Martini has a sweet and sour taste, with a crisp and refreshing apple flavor. It is well-balanced, with a slight tartness from the apple and a smooth, velvety finish from the vodka.
The Lemon Drop Martini has a bright, zesty, and slightly sweet taste. The combination of lemon juice and simple syrup creates a perfect balance of sour and sweet, while the vodka adds a smooth and strong kick. The sugar rim adds an extra touch of sweetness to each sip.
The Margarita is a well-balanced cocktail with a bright, citrusy flavor. It is both sweet and sour, with the tanginess of lime juice complementing the sweetness of the orange liqueur. The tequila adds a strong, earthy backbone, while the salt rim enhances the overall taste and adds a savory touch.
The Blue Margarita has a well-balanced taste, combining the tangy and sour flavors of lime and orange liqueur with the sweetness of blue curaçao. It is a strong and refreshing cocktail with a hint of tropical fruitiness.
The Rum Daisy is a well-balanced cocktail with a sweet and sour flavor profile. It has a bright, citrusy taste from the lemon juice, balanced by the rich, molasses notes of the rum and the sweetness of the simple syrup. The addition of orange liqueur adds a touch of fruity complexity.
The Kamikaze cocktail has a refreshing, tangy taste with a hint of sweetness. It is a well-balanced mix of sour, sweet, and strong flavors, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy citrus-based cocktails.
The Casino cocktail offers a harmonious blend of flavors, with a slightly sweet and sour taste. The gin provides a strong, botanical backbone, while the maraschino liqueur adds a touch of sweetness. The fresh lemon juice brings a zesty, tangy element, and the orange bitters round out the flavor profile with a subtle, citrusy bitterness.
The Gin Sour is a refreshing, tangy, and slightly sweet cocktail. The combination of gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup creates a well-balanced drink that is both tart and sweet, with a hint of botanical flavors from the gin.
The Piña Colada is a sweet, creamy, and fruity cocktail with a smooth texture. The flavors of pineapple and coconut blend harmoniously, creating a tropical taste sensation. The rum adds a subtle warmth and depth to the drink.
The Mint Julep has a refreshing, sweet, and slightly minty taste. It is a well-balanced cocktail with a strong bourbon backbone and a cooling, herbal finish.
The Moscow Mule is a refreshing, slightly spicy, and tangy cocktail with a hint of sweetness. The combination of vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice creates a well-balanced and invigorating flavor profile.
