The Sidecar cocktail is possibly the most famous cognac-based cocktail. The drink belongs to the sour cocktail group and is a classic subtle combination of French cognac, Cointreau (orange liqueur) and freshly squeezed lemon juice which is shaken with ice, and served in a coupe glass coated with a sugar rim.The proportions of Sidecar are very variable. There are two main approaches: as per the French one – the cocktail is mixed in equal proportions. The English lovers believe the main ingredient is cognac and should be of greater volume in the mix (following this instruction the drink turns quite dry).There are many theories as to the origin of Sidecar too. As per one of them, the cocktail was born at the end of the First World War in Paris, in a bar visited by an American army captain who would arrive in a motorcycle with a sidecar. The bartender Pat McGarry, who created the drink, later brought the recipe to London – and that's how Sidecar cocktail gained worldwide popularity.
Equipment
- coupe glass
Ingredients
- 100 ml cognac
- 50 ml orange liqueur (such as Cointreau)
- 50 ml lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- orange twist (to garnish)
- sugar rim (to garnish)
Instructions
- Coat the rim of a coupe glass with sugar and put it in the fridge to chill.
- Fill the cocktail shaker with some ice and mix the cognac, orange liqueur and lemon juice in it until well-chilled.
- Strain the mix into the chilled, sugar-rimmed coupe glass and serve.
