Fall calls for this uncomplicated Bourbon Sidecar recipe! The cocktail blends bourbon, lemon juice, and triple sec to perfection.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
223
Ingredients
- 2 oz Bourbon
- 1 oz Cointreau
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
- Ice cubes
- Lemon twist - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Cocktail Strainer
- Fine strainer
- Coupe Glass
- Measuring Jigger
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill a coupe glass with ice. Set it aside.
- Add Lemon Juice: Pour ¾ oz fresh lemon juice into the shaker.
- Add Cointreau: Add 1 oz Cointreau.
- Add Bourbon: Finally, add 2 oz Bourbon to the mix.
- Rim Glass: Discard the ice inside the coupe glass and prepare the sugar rim. To do so, use a lemon slice to slightly wet the rim of the glass. Then, delicately press the edge of the glass into a plate filled with sugar.
- Shake Well: Fill the shaker with ice, close it, and give it a good shake (10-15 seconds).
- Strain: Using both the cocktail strainer and the fine strainer, strain the mixture into the coupe glass.
- Garnish: Express a lemon zest on top of the drink to release its oils and drop in the glass or discard it. Serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Bourbon: If you don't have bourbon on hand, you can substitute rye whiskey or brandy. Both will give a different flavor profile but still make for a delicious drink.
- Cointreau: Triple sec is a good alternative if you don't have Cointreau. It's slightly less sweet and has a more pronounced orange flavor.
- Lemon Juice: I've used lime juice instead of lemon juice in a pinch. It changes the taste slightly but still works well.
Making a Pitcher of Bourbon Sidecar:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of bourbon, 8 oz of Cointreau, and 6 oz of lemon juice.
- Mix: Combine the bourbon, Cointreau, and lemon juice in a large pitcher with ice and stir well.
- Serve: Pour the mixture into chilled coupe glasses, garnish with a lemon twist, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Bourbon Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic bourbon substitute; several on the market do an excellent job mimicking bourbon flavor.
- Cointreau Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic orange liqueur or a simple syrup infused with orange peel.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
The Bourbon Sidecar is naturally vegan as it contains no animal products. However, always check your label as some spirits and liqueurs may use animal-derived products during production.What is a Bourbon Sidecar?
A Bourbon Sidecar is a whiskey-based cocktail made of bourbon, lemon juice, and triple sec. This drink is simple to make as it only requires mixing these three ingredients in appropriate proportions and a touch of sugar. The Bourbon Sidecar is an interesting variant of the traditional Sidecar cocktail, which typically uses cognac instead of bourbon. An intriguing aspect of this beverage lies in its flexibility – while there’s a standard recipe, drinkers can adjust the ratios according to their taste preferences.
What is a Bourbon Sidecar made of – The ingredients
To concoct your own Bourbon Sidecar, these are the ingredients required:
- Bourbon: This is the cocktail’s base spirit, providing a rich, full-bodied flavor with notes of vanilla and caramel.
- Cointreau: A type of orange liqueur, Cointreau adds a sweet, citrusy note to balance out the strong bourbon.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice gives the cocktail a tart kick, enhancing the other flavors and adding freshness.
- Sugar:Â Used to rim the glass it helps to mellow out the tartness of the lemon juice and complements the bourbon’s natural sweetness.
- Lemon Peel: Used as a garnish, the lemon peel adds a subtle citrus aroma, enhancing the overall drinking experience.
