Sidecar
A true icon of the Prohibition era, the Sidecar is a masterful sour cocktail that exudes elegance and sophistication. Its perfect balance of rich Cognac, bright orange liqueur, and tangy lemon juice creates a silky, complex, and utterly timeless drink.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Cognac VS or VSOP
- ¾ oz Cointreau (or other orange liqueur)
- ¾ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- Garnish: Sugar Rim (optional)
- Garnish: Orange or Lemon Twist
Instructions
- Prepare the Glass: If using a sugar rim, moisten the outer rim of a chilled coupe glass with a lemon wedge and gently roll it in superfine sugar. Chill the glass in the freezer.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the Cognac, Cointreau, and fresh lemon juice to a cocktail shaker.
- Shake with Ice: Fill the shaker to the top with ice, seal it, and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until the shaker is ice-cold.
- Strain: Double-strain the mixture into your prepared, chilled coupe glass to ensure a perfectly smooth texture.
- Garnish: Garnish with an orange or lemon twist, expressing the oils over the drink's surface before dropping it in.
Pro Tips for Perfection
The Cognac Choice: Your choice of brandy is key. A VS (Very Special) Cognac will produce a brighter, fruitier Sidecar. For more depth and complexity, upgrade to a VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale), which will add subtle notes of oak and spice from its longer aging.
The Sugar Rim Debate: The sugar rim is a classic, but divisive, element. Many modern bartenders prefer to omit it to let the drink's natural balance shine. If you do use one, apply it only to the outer edge of the glass so the drinker can choose whether to get a bit of sweetness with each sip.