Festive & Easy Cranberry Sidecar Recipe - Sugar & Cloth co*cktails (2024)

Looking for a seasonal twist on a classic? Try our Cranberry Sidecar recipe. The bright cranberry notes perfectly complement the smooth brandy for an unforgettable sip

Festive & Easy Cranberry Sidecar Recipe - Sugar & Cloth co*cktails (1)

This time of year we always look to classic co*cktails for inspiration for holiday drinks to serve at parties. Just like with a LBD, I, Ashley believe that you can’t go wrong with a classic!

Once you have a classic recipe down, you can start branching out and make variations on them. By adding in syrups, swapping out juices or even changing the base spirits, you can create a whole new drink without having to start from scratch.

To update the Sidecar co*cktail, a touch of cranberry adds a compliment to the bright lemon and the orange liqueur and the sugar rim adds a bit of sparkle. Basically, this Cranberry Sidecar co*cktail is a real crowd pleaser!

Festive & Easy Cranberry Sidecar Recipe - Sugar & Cloth co*cktails (2)

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Table of Contents

What is a Sidecar Drink?

The Sidecar is a classic co*cktail that has been enjoyed for nearly a century. It’s a simple and elegant drink that balances the flavors of brandy, citrus, and a touch of sweetness. The exact origins of the Sidecar co*cktail are a bit murky, with several theories surrounding its creation.

However, the most widely accepted story attributes the creation of the Sidecar to a Parisian bar in the early 20th century. One popular story suggests that the Sidecar was created in the early 20th century at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris.

The classic Sidecar is composed of brandy, Triple Sec or Cointreau and fresh lemon juice. We gave ours a festive fall variation with the addition of cranberry that pairs well with Thanksgiving food.

Ingredients Needed

Brandy or cognac — Use a good quality brandy for the best flavor. A VS or VSOP cognac works well in this co*cktail.

Cointreau —Or anyorange-flavored liqueur like Triple Sec.They can be used interchangeably in this recipe.

Cranberry simple syrup —Check out our easy recipe below.

Fresh lemon juice

Sugar — Optional for rimming.

Grated lemon peel —Optional for rimming.​​​​​​​

Festive & Easy Cranberry Sidecar Recipe - Sugar & Cloth co*cktails (3)

How to Make Cranberry Simple Syrup

Cranberry simple syrup is a sweet and tart syrup made from cranberries and sugar. It’s a versatile ingredient that can be used to sweeten desserts, co*cktails, mocktails, and a variety of other beverages.

Other delicious simple syrup variations include mint simple syrup and brown sugar simple syrup. Cranberry simple syrup is simply an equal parts ratio of cranberry juice and sugar.

Step-by-step instructions:

1 — In a saucepan, add the cranberry juice and sugar.

2 — Heat the mixture over medium heat to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Allow to cool. Store in an air-tight jar in the fridge for up to one month.

Festive & Easy Cranberry Sidecar Recipe - Sugar & Cloth co*cktails (4)

How to Make aCranberry Sidecar co*cktail Recipe

To rim the glass:

1 — Ina plate, mix the sugar and grated lemon peel.

2 — Take a lemon or lime wedge and run it along the outer rim of your co*cktail glass. Ensure that the entire rim is moistened.

3 — Hold the glass at an angle and gently dip the moistened rim into the plate of sugar and lemon. Rotate the glass slightly to ensure an even coating of sugar.

To make the co*cktail:

1 — In a co*cktail shaker filled with ice, addthe brandy,Cointreau,lemon juice and cranberry simple syrup. Shake until chilled.

2 — Strain and pour into a co*cktail glass.

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Recipe Notes and Tips

  • Chill all glasses and ingredients: If you have the time, you can chill the co*cktail glass in the freezer before pouring in the mixture. This helps maintain the drink’s temperature.
  • If you don’t want a sugar rim: The classic Sidecar co*cktail is topped with alemon twist, orange twist or a cherry.
  • Adjust based on your preference: The balance between the sweetness of the Triple Sec and the tartness of the lemon juice is crucial. Adjust the proportions to suit your personal preference. If it’s too tart, you can add a bit more triple sec, and vice versa.
  • Types of cranberry juices to use: Freshly squeezed cranberry juice is preferable, but you can use store-bought, ensuring it’s 100% cranberry juice with no added sugar.
Festive & Easy Cranberry Sidecar Recipe - Sugar & Cloth co*cktails (6)

More Fall Inspired co*cktail Recipes

This Sidecar recipe is perfect for a Halloween party, Thanksgiving dinner or even New Years party. For more festive co*cktail using staple fall ingredients, check out a few of our favorite recipes below —

  • Apple Cider co*cktail
  • Apple Brandy
  • Thanksgiving Punch
  • Pumpkin Spice White Russian
Festive & Easy Cranberry Sidecar Recipe - Sugar & Cloth co*cktails (7)

Festive & Easy Cranberry Sidecar Recipe - Sugar & Cloth co*cktails (8)

Cranberry Sidecar Recipe

Print Recipe

4.75 from 4 votes

This non-traditional cranberry co*cktail is a classic take on a Sidecar co*cktail that is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Total Time10 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine co*cktails

Ingredients

For the cranberry simple syrup:

  • 1 cup cranberry juice
  • 1 cup white granulated sugar

For the Cranberry Sidecar:

  • 2 oz brandy VS or VSOP
  • 3/4 oz cranberry simple syrup
  • 1 oz Cointreau
  • 1 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp grated lemon peel optional for rimming
  • 1/8 cup sugar optional for rimming

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 254kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 51mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 56g | Vitamin A: 23IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

Servings: 5

Calories: 254kcal

Instructions

To make the cranberry simple syrup:

  • In a saucepan, add the cranberry juice and sugar.

  • Heat the mixture over medium heat to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Allow to cool.

Optional: To rim the glass:

  • In a plate, mix the sugar and grated lemon peel.

  • Take a lemon or lime wedge and run it along the outer rim of your co*cktail glass. Ensure that the entire rim is moistened.

  • Hold the glass at an angle and gently dip the moistened rim into the plate of sugar and lemon. Rotate the glass slightly to ensure an even coating of sugar.

To make the Cranberry Sidecar co*cktail:

  • In a co*cktail shaker filled with ice, addthe brandy,Cointreau,lemon juice and cranberry simple syrup. Shake until chilled.

  • Strain and pour into a co*cktail glass.

KEYWORD: cranberry sidecar

Festive & Easy Cranberry Sidecar Recipe - Sugar & Cloth co*cktails (9)

Don’t forget to share your cranberry sidecarwith us onInstagramusing the hashtag#sugarandclothloves. We always love seeing all of your creations! Looking for more quick and delicious recipes? Fnd them allright here!

Festive & Easy Cranberry Sidecar Recipe - Sugar & Cloth co*cktails (2024)

FAQs

Festive & Easy Cranberry Sidecar Recipe - Sugar & Cloth co*cktails? ›

Cranberry juice is usually labeled "100% juice." Other fruits are sometimes added to balance the tart cranberry taste, but that label indicates that the product is made with 100% fruit juices. Cranberry juice co*cktail, meanwhile, has added sugars or high-fructose corn syrup for extra sweetness.

What's the difference between cranberry and cranberry co*cktail? ›

Cranberry juice is usually labeled "100% juice." Other fruits are sometimes added to balance the tart cranberry taste, but that label indicates that the product is made with 100% fruit juices. Cranberry juice co*cktail, meanwhile, has added sugars or high-fructose corn syrup for extra sweetness.

What is the history of the sidecar co*cktail? ›

The exact origin of the sidecar is unclear, but it is thought to have been invented around the end of World War I in either London or Paris. The drink was directly named for the motorcycle attachment, which was very commonly used at the time. The Ritz Hotel in Paris claims origin of the drink.

How do you sweeten cranberry juice? ›

There are a few ways you can sweeten unsweetened cranberry juice:
  1. Sugar: You can add sugar to taste, starting with a small amount (such as 1 teaspoon) and gradually adding more until the desired level of sweetness is reached.
  2. Honey: Another option is to use honey as a sweetener.
May 22, 2017

Which is healthier cranberry juice or cranberry co*cktail? ›

Since cranberries are a great source of vitamin C you'll get plenty in both kinds of juice, but you'll have the added benefit of other vitamins and minerals like potassium in the naturally sweetened cranberry juice, thanks to the added fruit. Both can be used interchangeably in recipes.

Is cranberry co*cktail good for kidneys? ›

Kidney stones are a common disorder, affecting around 1 in 11 adults in the United States ( 1 ). While there are many causes of kidney stones, diet plays a major role. In particular, cranberry juice is thought to help get rid of kidney stones, similarly to how it reduces incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Is cranberry juice good for high blood pressure? ›

Drink cranberry juice. In a 2012 study, researchers found that drinking cranberry juice regularly can help drop blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic) by three points. It might not sound like a lot, but it's enough to bump someone from pre-hypertension back into the normal range, for example.

Is cranberry juice good for kidneys and bladder? ›

Your kidneys can't perform this task without enough water in your system. And when you add cranberry juice to your regimen, you are also helping your body flush out bacteria from your urinary system to promote urinary health!

Can diabetics drink cranberry juice co*cktail? ›

Though you can enjoy cranberry juice in moderation with diabetes, it's still important to pay attention to your blood sugar levels. If you have any concerns about managing your blood sugar, speak with your healthcare professional.

What is a fun fact about sidecar co*cktails? ›

“The word sidecar means something totally different in the world of the co*cktail: if the bartender misses his mark on ingredient quantities so when he strains the drink into the serving glass there's a bit left over in the shaker, he pours out that little extra into a shot glass on the side – that little glass is ...

Why is it called a sidecar? ›

Embury says of the Sidecar's origin: "It was invented by a friend of mine at a bar in Paris during World War I and was named after the motorcycle sidecar in which the good captain customarily was driven to and from the little bistro where the drink was born and christened."

What alcohol is in sidecar? ›

How to make 100% cranberry juice taste better? ›

If you'd prefer, you could use simple syrup, coconut sugar, cane sugar, sugar-free sweetener, maple syrup, or raw honey. You could also omit the added sugar and make an unsweetened cranberry juice if you'd prefer. Fresh Citrus: oranges and lemons add sweet and acid to balance the cranberries tartness.

What can I mix with cranberry juice to make it taste better? ›

I sweetened my juice with honey which adds a sweet floral touch to the beverage. I also use a couple of freshly squeezed oranges which gives the juice a nice hint of citrus flavor. I'm sure apple juice or apple cider would work well too.

How do you make cranberry co*cktail taste better? ›

The orange enhances the cranberry flavor in the best possible way! Other great mixers for cranberry juice are grapefruit juice and pineapple juice. Cranberry juice also goes well with alcohols such as vodka, rum, gin, champagne, or red wine.

Why do they call it cranberry co*cktail? ›

On its own, cranberry juice is quite tart so many juice makers sweeten it with high-fructose corn syrup…the same ingredient found in soft drinks. It sweetens but provides no nutritional value. These products are typically labeled “cranberry juice co*cktails.”

Why is it called cranberry co*cktail? ›

The term "cranberry juice co*cktail" or "cranberry juice blend" refers to products that contain about 28% cranberry juice, with the remainder either from other fruit juice concentrates (typically grape, apple or pear), water, and added sugar to improve palatability.

Is Ocean Spray cranberry juice co*cktail 100% cranberry juice? ›

It's 100% juice made with the crisp, clean taste of real cranberries straight from the bog.

Does cranberry co*cktail have any benefits? ›

Cranberry juice is rich in anti-inflammatory antioxidants and key nutrients. It may also help prevent UTIs, support a healthy gut, and help manage some chronic conditions, like heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

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