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5.0 from 9 votes

Sidecar Cocktail

A Sidecar cocktail has brandy or cognac, lemon juice, and orange liqueur, all shaken with lots of ice. It's simple, sophisticated, and totally refreshing.

Cook Time
mins
Total Time
2 mins
Servings: 1 cocktail
Calories: 168 kcal
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces cognac or brandy (3 tablespoons)
  • 3/4 ounce orange liqueur or triple sec (1 1/2 tablespoons)
  • 3/4 ounce lemon juice (1 1/2 tablespoons)
  • ice as needed
  • 1 Orange twist for garnish, optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Chill glassware if desired: Coat the outside of a glass with water and freeze until serving time. Or, freeze dry glassware for 2 to 3 hours before serving.
  2. To coat the rim of glass: Run a lemon wedge around the top of a glass.  Then, dip the top of the glass upside-down in a shallow dish of sugar.
  3. Combine cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker. Fill shaker with ice, cover, and shake until outside of shaker is very cold, about 20 seconds. Strain cocktail into prepared glass and garnish with an orange twist.

Notes

  • Cognac or brandy: Cognac must be made in the Cognac region of France. Brandy, however, can be made anywhere. Hennessy, Korbel, Presidente, are all fine choices for a mixed drink.
  • Orange liqueur: Triple Sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier.
  • Glassware: Serve a Sidecar in a coupe glass or a small martini glass.
  • Sugar rim: Spread some sugar on small plate, then rub a lemon wedge  around the rim of chilled martini or coupe glass. Tilt the side of the glass in the sugar to lightly coat the outside rim of glass.
  • Boston Sidecar: Reduce cognac or brandy to 3/4 ounce, add 3/4 ounce light rum, and substitute 3/4 ounce lime juice for the lemon juice.
  • Chelsea Sidecar: (aka Delilah or White Lady) Uses gin instead of cognac or brandy.
  • Pisco Sidecar: Substitute 1 1/2 ounces Pisco brandy for the cognac.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1cocktail Calories 168kcal (8%) Carbohydrates 8g (3%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 1g (2%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Sodium 2mg (0%) Sugar 7g (14%) Vitamin C 8mg (9%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1cocktail

Amount Per Serving

Calories 168

% Daily Value*

Serving 1cocktail
Calories 168kcal 8%
Carbohydrates 8g 3%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 2mg 0%
Sugar 7g 14%
Vitamin C 8mg 9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.