Classic Cocktails: The Sidecar
By Chilled Magazine
Like many classic cocktails, the Sidecar started as a medicinal remedy, but from there, not much is known about is origins.
What we do know is that its a delightful, easy-to-riff, drink that every bartender should have in their arsenal. The classic cocktail uses a base of cognac, triple sec, and fresh lemon juice for a dynamic, light cocktail that’s perfect for fall.
Like many minimalist cocktails, perfecting the Sidecar can take some time, ensure you’re working with the best possible ingredients. You can try using different cognac expressions to find the blend that works best for you. Thanks to the simplicity of the drink, it’s a nice option for more dynamic and premium cognacs as it helps showcase the different flavors of the spirit. After all, the Sidecar is perhaps one of the most well known cognac cocktails.
Sidecar
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Cognac
- 3/4 oz. Triple Sec
- 3/4 oz. Lemon Juice
Preparation: Pour all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass.
Once you have the basics mastered, it’s time to explore how to riff on the original! Adding additional flavors and swapping out the spirits are some of the easiest ways to riff on the drink. We like swapping the cognac for apple brandy or apple whiskey for perfect autumn inspired drinks.
Strawberry Rhubarb Sidecar
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 oz. Cognac
- 1/2 oz. Cointreau Liqueur
- 1/2 oz. Monin Strawberry Rhubarb Purée
- 1/2 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
Preparation: Chill a serving glass. Pour ingredients into a mixing glass with 2/3 ice in order listed. Shake and strain into a chilled serving glass, garnish with a lemon peel and serve.
Piscine Sidecar
Ingredients:
- 3 oz. Rosé Piscine
- 1 Pomegranate
- 3/4 oz. Brandy
- 1/2 oz. Cointreau
- Peach Bitters (for Taste)
- Sugar for Rim
- Fruit, for Garnish
Preparation: Muddle one half cup pomegranate seeds. Add ingredients to a shaker filled with ice and shake well. Strain into a martini glass rimmed with sugar and add fruit accents of choice.