Sidecar Cocktail

This sidecar cocktail is the perfect drink to enjoy with whoever you would have riding sidecar with you! It’s a refreshing change from sweet cocktails, with a brisk, bitter, and citrusy flavor.

Why this recipe works

The origin of the classic sidecar cocktail is one that is shrouded in controversy, with many different bars and hotels claiming ownership – with the biggest players in this feud for ownership being the Ritz Hotel in Paris and the Buck Club in London.

It came about towards the end of WWI and was named for the motorcycle sidecar, which has inspired several fun origin stories about how each bartender’s affiliation with a motorcycle sidecar was more legitimate than another’s.

If you like a cocktail with a bit more sweetness, but still puckery and citrusy, try our Lemon Drop.

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

LIQUOR – Originally, the recipe was equal parts brandy or cognac, triple sec and lemon juice, however, over time the English version (which has become more popular) evolved to have 2 parts brandy to one part each triple sec and lemon juice. While we modeled our version after the newest iteration of the classic, feel free to taste and adjust your sidecar ingredients to your personal preferences. As for swaps, if you’re not sure about the brandy or cognac, you can use bourbon, and triple sec can be swapped out for an orange curaçao.

GARNISH – Some versions also like to sugar the rim of the glass which does help counteract the bitterness of the triple sec, but we wanted to stay as authentic as possible for our recipe – right down to that thick orange peel garnish, which is super easy for any home bartender to reproduce.

How to Make Sidecar Cocktail

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. If sugaring your glass, place the sanding sugar in a shallow dish wide enough for the top of the glass, and then wet the rims of your glasses.
2. Dip the glasses in the sanding sugar and set aside as you assemble your ingredients.

   

3. Peel the orange rind in a thick ribbon using a vegetable peeler. Twist gently and set aside.
4. Measure out 2 oz of cognac or brandy into each glass or place into a cocktail shaker.

   

5. Followed by 3/4 oz of triple sec and 3/4 oz of lemon juice.

   

6. Garnish with your orange wedge and enjoy!

   

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Serving Suggestions

This sidecar cocktail recipe is strong and citrusy, and just slightly bitter and sour, but in a very palatable way – the perfect drink for your witty, sarcastic friends who may also be tastefully bitter or sour themselves! Serve this cocktail as is, no ice added, and can be enjoyed before or after dinner.

More Cocktail Recipes

• Gimlet Cocktail
• Bramble Cocktail
• Rum Cruiser Cocktail
• Bailey’s White Russian
• Lemon Drop Cocktail
• Manhattan Cocktail

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Sidecar Cocktail

A delicious brandy cocktail, this sidecar cocktail recipe is a classic for a reason!

5 from 5 votes

IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!

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Course: Cocktails

Cuisine: European

Servings: 2 cocktails

5 minutes mins

Calories: 168

Author: Amanda Davis

Ingredients

• ▢ 4 oz brandy or cognac
• ▢ 1 ½ oz triple sec
• ▢ 1 ½ oz lemon juice
• ▢ orange twist optional garnish
• ▢ sanding sugar optional garnish

Things You’ll Need

• ▢
  Jigger

Before You Begin

• If you’re not sure about the brandy or cognac, you can use bourbon, and the triple sec can be swapped out for an orange curaçao.

Instructions

• If sugaring your glass, place the sanding sugar in a shallow dish wide enough for the top of the glass, and then wet the rims of your glasses.
  sanding sugar
• Dip the glasses in the sanding sugar and set aside as you assemble your ingredients.
• Peel the orange rind in a thick ribbon using your vegetable peeler. Twist gently and set aside.
• Measure out 2 oz of cognac or brandy into each glass, followed by 3/4 oz of triple sec and 3/4 oz of lemon juice.
  4 oz brandy, 1 1/2 oz triple sec, 1 1/2 oz lemon juice
• Garnish with your orange wedge and enjoy!
  orange twist

Nutrition

Serving: 1cocktail | Calories: 168cal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 29mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg

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The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.

This post originally appeared here on January 13, 2019 and has since been updated with new photos and expert tips.