Classic Sidecar co*cktail Recipe (2024)

History of the Sidecar

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

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 that had its debut during the Prohibition period.

There are many exciting stories about 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 co*cktails. This co*cktail recipe is also found in "co*cktails 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 co*cktail 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.

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 groundorganic cane sugarfor the rim of the glass (optional) or superfine sugar, optional but recommended to balance the sourness.
• Orange twist or lemon twist, optional for garnish

How to make a classic Sidecar co*cktail

Many recipes have 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 appearing in recipes in 1934. The Sidecar is usually served with a sugar rim and is shaken, not stirred.

Here's how to make it:

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

Equipment

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

• co*cktail shaker
• coupe glasses or martini glasses - I love these Nick and Nora glasses. I love them so much that I purchased them! They are of fantastic quality - perfect for having co*cktails on date night.

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%.

Did you make this recipe?

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Classic Sidecar co*cktail Recipe

Emily Miller

The classic Sidecar co*cktail 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!

Nutrition

Serving: 1co*cktailCalories: 203kcalCarbohydrates: 15.4gProtein: 0.1gSodium: 1.2mg

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.