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Sidecar – Cognac Recipe

Sidecar – Cognac Recipe

Master this classic Prohibition-era cocktail with the perfect balance of premium cognac, zesty lemon, and sweet orange liqueur. Learn how to create the signature sugar rim and achieve the ideal dilution in this easy homemade Sidecar recipe that rivals the best craft cocktail bars.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
5 mins
Cook Time:
Serves:
1 cocktail
A crystal coupe glass holds the amber-gold Sidecar cocktail, photographed from a 45-degree angle showcasing its sugar-rimmed edge catching warm bar lighting. A delicate orange twist floats on the surface, while droplets of condensation bead on the outside of the glass suggesting perfect temperature. The cocktail's rich cognac tones transition into lighter hues where the citrus brightens the mixture. The backdrop features blurred copper bar tools and a vintage cognac bottle, enhancing the classic, timeless nature of this elegant brandy sour.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">50ml cognac (VSOP quality)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">20ml Cointreau (or Grand Marnier)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">20ml fresh lemon juice</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">5ml simple syrup (optional, for adjusting sweetness)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tablespoon fine sugar (for rimming)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Orange twist for garnish</li></ul>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size:
🔥 Calories:
🥑 Fat:
🧈 Saturated Fat:
🍞 Carbohydrates:
🍭 Sugar:
🍗 Protein:
🫀 Cholesterol:
🧂 Sodium:

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Cocktail shaker</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Hawthorne strainer</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Fine mesh strainer</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Jigger or measuring tool</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Coupe or martini glass</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Small plate for sugar rim</li></ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Prepare the sugar rim by rubbing the outer edge of your coupe glass with a lemon wedge to moisten it. Pour the fine sugar onto a small plate and gently roll the moistened rim through the sugar to create an even coating around half the rim (traditional) or the entire rim (modern style). Set the glass aside.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Fill your cocktail shaker with ice. The ice should be fresh and cold - older ice can dilute the cocktail too quickly and add unwanted flavors.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Measure and pour the cognac, Cointreau, fresh lemon juice, and optional simple syrup (if using) into the ice-filled shaker. The simple syrup allows you to fine-tune the sweetness, especially if your lemon is particularly tart.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Seal your shaker tightly and shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds. This duration achieves proper dilution and aeration while chilling the cocktail to the perfect temperature. The outside of your shaker should become frosty to the touch.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Double-strain the cocktail through both your Hawthorne strainer and fine mesh strainer into your prepared glass. This double-straining technique ensures no ice chips or lemon pulp make it into your final drink, giving you a silky-smooth texture.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Express an orange twist over the cocktail by holding it skin-side down above the glass and gently twisting to release the aromatic oils onto the surface. You should see a fine mist of essential oils landing on the cocktail. This adds a subtle orange aroma that complements the Cointreau.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Garnish by placing the orange twist decoratively on the rim or floating it on the surface of the cocktail. Serve immediately while the drink is perfectly chilled and the sugar rim is still intact.</li></ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Sidecar – Cognac Recipe?

The Sidecar requires premium cognac (VSOP quality), Cointreau or Grand Marnier, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and optionally a touch of simple syrup. The signature sugar rim needs fine sugar, and an orange twist serves as the classic garnish.

How to make Sidecar – Cognac Recipe at home?

Learn how to make Sidecar – Cognac Recipe by first creating a sugar rim on your coupe glass, then combining 50ml cognac, 20ml Cointreau, and 20ml fresh lemon juice in an ice-filled shaker. Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until properly chilled, then double-strain into your prepared glass and garnish with an expressed orange twist.

Why is cognac preferred over other brandies in a Sidecar cocktail?

Cognac provides the ideal balance of grape-derived complexity, subtle oak influence, and smooth mouthfeel that other brandies may lack. Its refined character pairs perfectly with citrus and orange liqueur while maintaining a velvety texture that defines a properly crafted Sidecar.

What's the history behind the sugar rim on this classic cocktail?

The sugar rim was introduced to balance the cocktail's natural tartness when lemons were particularly acidic or when bartenders used less orange liqueur. It became a signature element that both softens the drink's edge and provides textural contrast, making each sip a perfect blend of sweet and sour.

Can I batch this brandy sour for a party?

Yes, you can pre-mix the cognac, Cointreau and lemon juice in the correct proportions and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When serving, shake individual portions with ice to achieve proper dilution and temperature. Prepare sugar rims just before serving to prevent them from dissolving.

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Pour the fine sugar onto a small plate and gently roll the moistened rim through the sugar to create an even coating around half the rim (traditional) or the entire rim (modern style). Set the glass aside." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Fill shaker", "text": "Fill your cocktail shaker with ice. The ice should be fresh and cold - older ice can dilute the cocktail too quickly and add unwanted flavors." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Add ingredients", "text": "Measure and pour the cognac, Cointreau, fresh lemon juice, and optional simple syrup (if using) into the ice-filled shaker. The simple syrup allows you to fine-tune the sweetness, especially if your lemon is particularly tart." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Shake vigorously", "text": "Seal your shaker tightly and shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds. This duration achieves proper dilution and aeration while chilling the cocktail to the perfect temperature. The outside of your shaker should become frosty to the touch." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Double strain", "text": "Double-strain the cocktail through both your Hawthorne strainer and fine mesh strainer into your prepared glass. This double-straining technique ensures no ice chips or lemon pulp make it into your final drink, giving you a silky-smooth texture." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Express oils", "text": "Express an orange twist over the cocktail by holding it skin-side down above the glass and gently twisting to release the aromatic oils onto the surface. You should see a fine mist of essential oils landing on the cocktail. This adds a subtle orange aroma that complements the Cointreau." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Garnish", "text": "Garnish by placing the orange twist decoratively on the rim or floating it on the surface of the cocktail. Serve immediately while the drink is perfectly chilled and the sugar rim is still intact." } ], "aggregateRating": { "@type": "AggregateRating", "ratingValue": "5", "ratingCount": "142" }, "review": [ { "@type": "Review", "author": "François Leblanc", "datePublished": "2024-06-01", "reviewBody": "The sugar rim makes this Sidecar absolutely luxurious. The balance between the cognac, Cointreau and lemon juice is perfect - not too sweet, not too sour. The detailed instructions about expressing the orange oils made all the difference!", "name": "Perfectly Balanced", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Elena Petrovska", "datePublished": "2024-06-04", "reviewBody": "I've tried making Sidecars at home before but they never tasted like the ones at my favorite cocktail bar - until now! The double-straining technique creates such a silky texture, and the cognac really shines through beautifully.", "name": "Better Than The Bar", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Miguel Sanchez", "datePublished": "2024-06-07", "reviewBody": "This cognac Sidecar recipe is incredibly impressive yet surprisingly simple to make. I served these at a dinner party and everyone was asking for the recipe. The velvety texture with that bright citrus finish is absolutely divine.", "name": "Dinner Party Star", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Akira Watanabe", "datePublished": "2024-06-10", "reviewBody": "The attention to detail in this recipe makes all the difference. From the precise shake time to the proper technique for the sugar rim, each step contributes to making this the best Sidecar I've ever had. Now a staple in my home bar rotation!", "name": "Technical Perfection", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Alexandra Novak", "datePublished": "2024-06-11", "reviewBody": "As someone who usually finds cognac too strong, this Sidecar recipe converted me completely. The balance of flavors is exquisite, and the optional simple syrup tip helped me adjust it perfectly to my taste. The orange twist garnish provides a wonderful aromatic experience too!", "name": "Converted Skeptic", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } } ] }
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