What ingredients are in a Sidecar?

2 oz Cognac, 1/2 oz Cointreau, 1 oz Lemon Juice

What glass do you use for a Sidecar?

A Sidecar is traditionally served in a Cocktail glass.

How strong is a Sidecar?

A Sidecar has an estimated ABV of 22.29%.

How many calories are in a Sidecar?

A Sidecar contains approximately 187 calories per serving.

Sidecar

Glass Cocktail glass

Difficulty Easy

Calories ~187 kcal

ABV 22.29%

Ingredients

Cognac 2 oz
Cointreau 1/2 oz
Lemon Juice 1 oz

Instructions

Pour all ingredients into cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into cocktail glass.

IBA Classic

The Sidecar is an IBA Unforgettable cocktail made with cognac, Cointreau, and fresh lemon juice, shaken and strained into a cocktail glass, often with a sugared rim. It is a textbook member of the sour family and one of the great classic cocktails of the 20th century. The combination of cognac's fruit and oak with orange liqueur and lemon produces a drink that is simultaneously complex and elegantly simple.

History & Origins

The Sidecar's exact origin is disputed between Paris and London. One account credits Harry MacElhone of Harry's New York Bar in Paris around 1923, while another attributes it to Pat MacGarry at Buck's Club in London at a similar time. Both versions agree it was named after a motorcycle sidecar, allegedly the preferred mode of transport of a regular patron. It was codified in early cocktail guides and recognized by the IBA as an Unforgettable.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Cognac's dried fruit, vanilla, and oak with bright citrus from the lemon juice and orange peel notes from the Cointreau. Palate: Balanced and complex — the cognac provides depth and warmth, Cointreau adds citrus sweetness, and lemon juice brings a tart, refreshing acidity that ties the drink together. Finish: Dry and satisfying with lingering orange and lemon zest over a cognac warmth.

citrus fruity dry elegant warming

Pro Tip

Use a sugar-rimmed glass to add sweetness on each sip, and opt for a quality VSOP cognac for the best expression of the drink's complexity.

Techniques Used

Shaking Straining

Compare Sidecar

Daiquiri

Margarita

Whiskey Sour

Data verified August 2015

Nutrition Facts →

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