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Try our sidecar cocktail recipe then check out our manhattan cocktail, cosmopolitan cocktail and more cocktail recipes. Our drinks expert, Hannah Guinness, shares her at-home bar tips to help you take your sidecar to the next level.


What is a sidecar?

Thought to have originated around World War One, this classic cognac-based creation is winningly easy to make with just three ingredients. Zingy and citrussy, it’s a great choice for those who like sour cocktails – if you enjoy drinking margaritas then you’ll love the sidecar.

Sidecar ingredients

Opt for a younger cognac here, where the fruity and floral flavours will work well in the drink. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is also best. A sidecar is open to variation so feel free to play around with the base ingredients. You can swap the cognac for aged dark or golden rum, or bourbon whisky. Alternatively, try using a ginger liqueur instead of the Cointreau.

Bar hacks and garnishes

A sidecar is often served with a sugar rim on the glass to sweeten the cocktail as you sip. It’s not essential but as the cocktail is fairly dry and sour, it can balance out the flavours if you have a sweeter tooth.


Sidecar recipe

Ingredients

  • 60ml cognac
  • 30ml lemon juice (freshly squeezed is best)
  • 30ml Cointreau
  • orange peel twist, to garnish

Method

  • STEP 1

    Put all the ingredients, except the orange peel, in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well until the outside of the shaker feels cold, then strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with the orange twist.

Discover more delicious citrus cocktail recipes.

A small coupe glass filled with a lime cocktail with a wheel of lime and sprig of mint

Authors

Hannah Guinness olive magazine portrait
Hannah GuinnessSenior sub editor and drinks writer

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