Okay, take a quick second to learn a little more about the Sidecar cocktail than you care to know. It’s a classic cocktail dating back to the Prohibition Era. Prohibition Era = you can’t drink alcohol, but the best cocktails EVER were created during this time. It’s perfect irony and I absolutely love it. A few others to mention, the Aviation and the Last Word.

Sidecar Cocktail History

Like most classics, history is foggy and often debated. The earliest rendition of the cocktail was found in Harry McElhone’s book, Barflies and Cocktails, in 1927. This rendition actually used brandy, which later evolved to cognac. The drink is classically served with a sugar rim, but it’s a tad too sweet for my taste. The cocktail is thought to have been created in Harry’s New York Bar in Paris, France. Others say London…

What is a Sidecar Cocktail?

The Sidecar is a smooth, cognac based drink made with cognac, Cointreau (orange liqueur), and fresh lemon juice. It’s like a more refined whiskey sour, without the egg white.

Cognac is a fine brandy typically sipped neat as an after-dinner drink, unless it finds itself in a classic. I think my whiskey friends will love cognac. It’s fruitier and a little smoother. It’s also made from grapes rather than corn and grains.

Sidecar Ingredients

• Cognac
• Cointreau
• Lemon juice

The Sidecar cocktail is citrusy and refreshing, getting a touch of sweetness from the Cointreau and fresh lemon juice. Like most classic cocktails, it’s right down the middle in terms of flavor and strength. A perfect classic to add to your rotation this summer.

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