Cocktail recipe

Sidecar recipe.

A classic brandy sour with orange liqueur and lemon. Bright, warm, elegant and sharper than its smooth appearance suggests.

Cocktail recipe 5 mins Mocktail option
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Sidecar cocktail image
Sidecar

Description

The Sidecar is one of the great brandy sours: brandy for warmth, orange liqueur for brightness and lemon for a clean, sharp finish. It has the confidence of a classic because it does not need decoration to make its point.

When balanced properly, it sits between richness and acidity. The brandy gives dried fruit and oak, the orange liqueur adds sweetness and perfume, and the lemon cuts through with just enough bite. A sugared rim is optional, but it can make the first sip feel wonderfully old-school.

Ingredients

  • 50 ml Brandy
  • 25 ml Orange Liqueur
  • 20 ml lemon juice
  • 1 piece Lemon twist (for garnish)
  • Sugar to taste

Equipment needed

Cocktail Shaker – Used to shake the drink with ice. Fine Mesh Strainer – Used to strain into the glass.

Instructions

  1. Rim a coupe glass with sugar if desired.
  2. Add brandy, orange liqueur, and lemon juice to a shaker with ice.
  3. Shake well and strain into the prepared glass.
  4. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Recommended glassware

Coupe Glass
Coupe Glass (recommended)

An elegant stemmed glass for shaken or stirred cocktails served up.

120–240 ml Stemmed glass with a broad shallow bowl.

Best for: Daiquiri, Sidecar, Manhattan served up, Gimlet, Clover Club.

Garnish: Great for expressed citrus peels, cherries, and small edible flowers.

Quick facts

5 mins Easy Approx. 22% ABV 1.9 units 170 kcal Ice Mocktail option
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