Sidecar

It’s Friday again and you know what that means… my weekly cocktail post! Tonight’s featured cocktail is the Sidecar. A simple, yet delicious cocktail that can and has been tweaked through the years. My version is no different, of course. One resource states the standard ‘by the book’ Sidecar is 3 parts cognac or brandy, 2 parts Grand Imperial, Grand Marnier or Triple Sec, and 2 parts lemon juice (freshly squeezed, naturally!). Combine the ingredients with ice, shake, strain and enjoy. So I will stay with those proportions and just change one of the ingredients. My tweak is to use a blend of lemon and orange juice to up the orange factor just a little while letting the brightness of the lemon juice shine through. Well, it is happy hour somewhere… so let’s enjoy it with a Sidecar! Are you ready to join me and give it a try?

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Sidecar

Prep time: 5 mins

Total time: 5 mins

Serves: 1

Ingredients

3 parts cognac or brandy
2 parts orange liqueur (Grand Marnier, Grand Imperial, or triple sec)
2 parts lemon/orange juice blend
Orange slice or orange twist as a garnish (optional)

Instructions

Squeeze the juice from one ripe lemon, approximately ½ cup of juice or more.
Squeeze half an orange, approximately ¼ cup.
Combine the lemon and orange juices in a squeeze bottle (or similar container).
Add ice to shaker.
Add cognac, orange liqueur, and juice.
Cover and shake approximately 30 seconds to combine and chill the cocktail.
Strain into a martini glass.
Garnish with thin orange slice or twist of orange peel, if desired.

Notes

I placed the juice into a squeeze bottle for ease of use and storage in the refrigerator.
While I am sure a lesser cognac could be used, I am using Claude Chatelier XO cognac and Grand Imperial, both from Maison Ferrand. I highly recommend both, not only for cocktails, but also for simple, easy sipping.

Squeeze the juice from one ripe lemon, approximately 1/2 cup of juice or more. Squeeze half an orange, approximately 1/4 cup. Combine the lemon and orange juices in a squeeze bottle (or similar container). Add ice to shaker. Add cognac, orange liqueur, and juice. Cover and shake approximately 30 seconds to combine and chill the cocktail. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with thin orange slice or twist of orange peel, if desired.