Sidecar
Cognac, orange liqueur and lemon. A rich, golden sour from the 1920s.
Shaken · Coupe · Medium · about 3 minutes · about 25% ABV
Ingredients
- 50 ml Cognac
- 20 ml Triple sec / Cointreau
- 20 ml Fresh lemon juice
- Orange twist (garnish)
Method
- Chill the glass
- Pour 50 ml cognac into the shaker
- Pour 20 ml Triple sec / Cointreau into the shaker
- Add 20 ml fresh lemon juice
- Add ice
- Shake hard
- Strain
- Garnish
Tip
A sugared rim was the old style. Try half a rim if you like it sweeter.
About the Sidecar
The Sidecar appeared around the end of the First World War. The Ritz in Paris and Harry's New York Bar in Paris are both linked to it, and a popular story says it was named for an army captain who rode to his bar in a motorcycle sidecar. It was printed in 1922 in books by Harry MacElhone and Robert Vermeire.
The daisy family. The daisy is a sour sweetened with an orange liqueur or another cordial instead of plain sugar. Daisies appear in American bar books from the 1870s. The Sidecar, the White Lady and the Margarita (Spanish for "daisy") all belong to this family, which is why their recipes look so alike.
Sidecar FAQ
What's in a Sidecar?
50 ml cognac, 20 ml triple sec / cointreau, 20 ml fresh lemon juice, garnished with orange twist.
How strong is a Sidecar?
About 25% ABV once mixed with ice, which is 2.2 Australian standard drinks per serve. That is stronger than a glass of wine.
Should I shake or stir a Sidecar?
Shake it. citrus, juice and cream need shaking to mix properly and gain a light, lively texture.
What glass do you serve a Sidecar in?
A coupe, about 180 ml. Chill the glass first and serve without ice. No coupe? Use a martini glass or small wine glass.
