Daisy Sidecar
A classic Sidecar with a touch more sweetness, giving the cognac's depth a gentle, rounded counterpoint.
Ingredients
- Cognac, VS or VSOP for depth60 ml
- Orange liqueur, Cointreau, Grand Marnier or a brandy-based curaçao22.5 ml
- Lemon juice, freshly squeezed22.5 ml
- Rich simple syrup, rich syrup, two parts sugar to one part water (2 parts Sugar, 1 part Water)5 ml
- Lemon, lemon or orange peel, expressed over the drink (optional)1 twist
Method
- Chill a coupe or cocktail glass thoroughly.
- Pour the cognac, orange liqueur, lemon juice and syrup into a shaker.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake hard for 8–10 seconds.
- Double-strain into the cold glass for a silky texture.
- Express a strip of lemon or orange peel over the drink to release its oils, and use it to garnish.
About this drink
The Sidecar belongs to the daisy family of cocktails, in which a base spirit meets citrus and sweetness in a tight triangle. The 'English school' ratio of 2:1:1 has won out over the older French 1:1:1 version because it gives more structure and less sweetness. A small splash of rich syrup is a modern refinement that corrects the drink's tendency to turn out too dry.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between a Daisy Sidecar and a classic Sidecar?
A small splash of extra syrup makes the daisy version a touch sweeter and rounder than the classic, tarter Sidecar. The cognac, orange liqueur and lemon are otherwise the same.
Which orange liqueur should you choose?
Cointreau gives a drier, more refined sweetness, Grand Marnier adds a cognac-rich roundness, and a cheaper triple sec makes the drink a little sweeter and less complex. All of them work.
