Sidecar Recipe

Sidecar recipe — The sophisticated rebel who traded their motorcycle for a coupe glass. Made with cognac. Originally from France.

I'm that friend who looks effortlessly elegant but has a wild past I don't talk about. I've been perfecting my three-ingredient charm since the 1920s, and honey, I don't need complexity when I've got this much class. I'm cognac confidence with a citrus twist of mystery.

The Sidecar was allegedly created at Harry's Bar in Paris during WWI by a customer who arrived in a motorcycle sidecar. The sugar rim was added because early cognac was harsh, but bartenders kept it even as spirits improved because it looked so damn elegant.

Born at Harry's Bar in Paris around 1922, the Sidecar was crafted for a mysterious patron who arrived via motorcycle sidecar. This sophisticated three-ingredient wonder quickly became the drink of choice for expatriate writers and jazz age rebels.

Ingredients

• 2 oz cognac (VS or VSOP preferred)
• 1 oz Cointreau (or Grand Marnier)
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp superfine sugar (for rim)

Instructions

1. Run lemon wedge around rim of coupe glass and dip in sugar.
2. Add cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice to shaker with ice.
3. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds until well chilled.
4. Double strain into prepared coupe glass.
5. Express lemon twist oils over drink and drop in glass.

Category: cocktail | Difficulty: medium | Base spirit: cognac | ABV: 18.0-22.0%

Origin: France