Ingredients
Drink
- 50 mlcognac, VSOP
- 25 mlCointreau or another orange liqueur
- 25 mlfresh lemon juice
Optional
- 5 mlsugar syrup, if the lemons are sharp
The rim
- caster sugar
- a lemon wedge
To serve
- a chilled coupe
- a strip of lemon or orange peel
Equipment
- a shaker
- a fine strainer
Directions
- Use a decent VSOP cognac rather than a young one. An expensive XO is wasted, because the lemon flattens its subtleties.
- Squeeze the lemon juice fresh, immediately before mixing. Rim the outside rather than the inside, so sugar does not fall into the drink and keep sweetening it as you go.
- Use lots of ice and fresh hard cubes, because half-melted ice waters the drink before you have shaken it. Add the cognac, Cointreau and lemon juice. Shake hard for 12 to 15 seconds.
- Shake properly. A citrus drink needs real aeration and dilution, and a gentle shake gives a thin, harsh, unintegrated result.
- Strain it through a fine mesh as well as the shaker strainer, which catches ice shards and pulp and gives a clean, silky texture.
- Squeeze a strip of lemon or orange peel over the surface to release its oils, then drop it in or discard it.
- Taste it and adjust the balance next time rather than this time. It should be sharp, dry and warming, with the cognac clearly present behind the citrus. Serve it immediately, before it warms.
Technique
- Armagnac in place of cognac makes an excellent and slightly rustic version.
- The name is said to come from an officer arriving at a bar in a motorcycle sidecar, which is unverifiable.
- Cointreau is the standard orange liqueur, and Grand Marnier gives a richer, sweeter drink.
Substitutions
- Armagnac or a good brandy in place of cognac.
- Triple sec in place of Cointreau, which is sweeter and simpler.
Variations
- The French ratio, equal parts of all three.
- Made with Grand Marnier.
- Between the Sheets, with rum added.
History
Claimed by both the Ritz Paris and Harry’s Bar in the 1920s, built on French cognac and Cointreau.
Frequently asked questions
What is Sidecar?
Sidecar is a cocktail from France: cognac, orange liqueur and lemon juice in a sugar-rimmed glass. Claimed by both the Ritz Paris and Harry’s Bar in the 1920s, built on French cognac and Cointreau.
How long does Sidecar take to make?
Sidecar takes 5 min of preparation and no cooking at all. The recipe makes 1 drink. It is rated easy to make.
What can I substitute in Sidecar?
Yes, within limits. Armagnac or a good brandy in place of cognac. Triple sec in place of Cointreau, which is sweeter and simpler.
What is the most important thing to get right in Sidecar?
Use a decent VSOP cognac rather than a young one. An expensive XO is wasted, because the lemon flattens its subtleties.
