Sidecar
The classic Sidecar of cognac, orange liqueur and fresh lemon, finely balanced between sweet and sour.
Ingredients
- Cognac60 ml
- Cointreau21 ml
- Lemon juice, freshly squeezed21 ml
- Simple syrup, to taste, for extra roundness (optional) (1 part Sugar, 1 part Water)6 ml
- Sugar, to rim the glass (optional)5 g
- Lemon, expressed over the drink, to garnish (optional)1 twist
Method
- If you like, run a lemon wedge around the rim of a chilled coupe and dip it in sugar, then let it dry.
- Pour the cognac, Cointreau, lemon juice and the syrup, if using, into a shaker.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake hard for 15–20 seconds, until ice cold.
- Double strain into the prepared glass.
- Twist a piece of lemon peel over the drink to release its oils and drop it in as a garnish.
About this drink
The Sidecar comes from Paris around the First World War and is said to be named after the motorcycle sidecar that brought a regular to the bar. The French school mixes equal parts cognac, orange liqueur and lemon, while the English school, the more common today, doubles the cognac for a more spirituous drink. Whichever school you follow, it is a masterclass in the simple balance of sweetness, acidity and the depth of cognac.
