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Sidecar Cocktail Drink

Sidecar Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Enjoy a classic with our Sidecar recipe! Mix brandy, lemon juice, and triple sec, and you're set.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 201

Ingredients
 

  • 2 oz Cognac or Brandy
  • ¾ oz Cointreau or Triple Sec
  • ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
  • Ice cubes
  • Sugar - for rimming the glass, optional
  • Lemon twist - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Cocktail Glass

Instructions

  • Prep Glass: Wet the rim of your cocktail glass with a lemon wedge, then dip it into sugar to create a sugared rim. Leave it in the freezer.
  • Combine Ingredients: In the cocktail shaker, combine ¾ oz fresh lemon juice, ¾ oz Cointreau or Triple Sec, and 2 oz Cognac or Brandy.
  • Shake: Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake the mixture until well chilled.
  • Strain and Serve: Strain the drink into the prepared cocktail glass.
  • Garnish: Add a lemon twist for garnish.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Cognac: I've used good quality brandy when I don't have Cognac on hand. It changes the depth a bit but still delivers a rich flavor.
  • Cointreau: Grand Marnier is a decent substitute for Cointreau. It's a bit sweeter and has a hint of brandy, which pairs well with the main spirit.
  • Lemon Juice: Fresh is always best, but if I'm out of fresh lemons, I'll begrudgingly use bottled lemon juice, though it doesn't quite capture the zest of fresh-squeezed.

Making a Pitcher of Sidecar:

  • Scale: To craft a pitcher serving 8, multiply all ingredients by 8. You'd need 16 oz of Cognac, 6 oz of Cointreau, and 6 oz of fresh lemon juice.
  • Mix: Blend the Cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice in a large pitcher. Add some ice and stir the mixture; even better, shake it if you have a pitcher that can be sealed.
  • Serve: Strain the mix into sugared-rim cocktail glasses, garnish with a lemon twist, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Cognac Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic brandy or a mix of apple and grape juices to mimic the depth of Cognac.
  • Cointreau Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic orange liqueur or simple syrup with a splash of orange juice for the orange essence.
  • Follow The Original Steps: Replace the standard ingredients with these non-alcoholic alternatives and proceed with the original instructions to enjoy a non-alcoholic Sidecar.

Making it Vegan:

The standard Sidecar recipe is inherently vegan, containing no animal-derived ingredients. Ensure that any sugar rimming the glass is certified vegan, as some sugars are processed using bone char. Always opt for organic or beet sugar to be on the safe side.