The Sidecar is a classic cocktail that has stood the test of time. Its origin is a bit hazy, with many attributing its creation to a bartender in Paris during World War I. Regardless of where it came from, the Sidecar is an elegant and sophisticated drink that is incredibly easy to make at home. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make your own classic Sidecar.
Ingredients
To make a classic Sidecar, you will need the following ingredients:
- 50 ml of cognac
- 25 ml orange liqueur (such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier)
- 25 ml fresh lemon juice
- Sugar for the rim of the glass
- Lemon slice to garnish
These ingredients are the foundation of a classic Sidecar, but you can adjust the amounts to suit your tastes. If you prefer a sweeter cocktail, add a little more orange liqueur. If you prefer something more sour, add more lemon juice.
Step by step
Now that you have all the ingredients, here are the steps to make your Sidecar:
- First, you'll want to prepare your glass. Run a slice of lemon around the rim of the glass, then dip it in sugar. This will give your Sidecar a sweet touch with every sip.
- Then add the cognac, orange liqueur and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker with ice. The amount of ice you use depends on how cold you want your Sidecar to be. A good rule of thumb is to fill the cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
- Shake the shaker vigorously for about 10 to 15 seconds. You want to mix the ingredients well and make sure the cocktail is very cold.
- After shaking, strain the cocktail into your prepared glass. You can use a cocktail strainer for this, but if you don't have one, you can also use a fine sieve.
- Finally, decorate your Sidecar with a slice of lemon. You can cut a thin slice and place it on the rim of the glass, or you can cut a slice and place it directly in the cocktail.
And that's it! Now you have a classic Sidecar. This is a cocktail that is both refreshing and sophisticated, perfect for a summer evening or elegant dinner.
Variables
While the classic Sidecar is delicious on its own, there's nothing to stop you playing around with the recipe a little. Here are some variations you can try:
- Use a different brandy: Brandy is the base of the Sidecar, but that doesn't mean you can't try it. Try a cognac from a different region or a different brand to see how it changes the flavor of your cocktail.
- Try a Different Orange Liqueur: Cointreau and Grand Marnier are the most common orange liqueurs used in Sidecars, but there are many others out there. Try an orange liqueur from a small distillery or an orange liqueur from a different region.
- Add a splash of orange juice: While lemon juice is the traditional citrus used in the Sidecar, a splash of orange juice can add extra sweetness and a new dimension of flavor to your cocktail.
Regardless of how you decide to make your Sidecar, the important thing is that you like it. So, grab your cocktail shaker, your ingredients and start experimenting. Cheers!
