As is the way with many of the most loved cocktails we enjoy, the origins of the Sidecar are not exactly clear. Named after the motorcycle attachment that was at the peak of its popularity then, it was invented sometime around the first world war, either in London or Paris. Harry’s Bar in Paris claims a soldier arriving in a sidecar invented it there, the Ritz in Paris insists on something similar and on British soil, Pat MacGarry of Buck’s Club in London is often cited as the creator. Who knows?!
What we do know is, it’s a simple mix of cognac, orange liqueur and lemon juice that has become a bartender’s essential. This simplicity however also lends itself to some cracking twists, so see which of these Sidecar variations takes your fancy!
The Original – for the Cognac lovers
As the most famous cognac cocktail, you can see Aidy and Helena explore the original Sidecar in the third episode The Three Drinkers in Cognac. Historically, the ‘French school’ of bartending teaches equal parts, whilst the ‘English school’ advises two parts Cognac to one parts Cointreau and lemon. This is all about personal taste and we like plenty of Cognac with a touch less lemon so the former can be the rightful star of the show, but experiment!
Ingredients
30ml cognac (we used Rémy Martin 1738)
20ml orange liqueur (like cointreau)
10ml fresh lemon
Method
Shake with plenty of ice, strain and pour.
Top Tip: To make the cocktail into more of an experience, rub lemon over the glass so that you smell it before you taste it!
Sidecarmalade – for the marmalade lovers
Thought up by Aidy and Maxime during the same episode mentioned above, this is a twist inspired by local ingredients, but one that you can easily do at home too! Verjus means green juice and is essentially unfermented grape juice but with flavours reminiscent of lemon and lime. This is a little tart so delicious, sweet marmalade is added for a gorgeous balance of sweet and tangy citrus.
Ingredients
30ml cognac (we used Rémy Martin 1738)
20ml orange liqueur (like cointreau)
10ml verjus
Dollop of marmalade
Method
Brush some marmalade around the inside of the glass so it’s glistening and shake everything with plenty of ice so the marmalade is mixed evenly throughout, then simply strain and pour!
Amaretto Sidecar – for the Amaretto lovers
If you’re a fan of sweeter cocktails then step this way because instead of cognac, we’re using Amaretto here. There’s still a generous splash of lemon juice to offset this, but the nuttiness and indulgence of the wonderful Italian liqueur with the intense orange and vibrant lemon is so flavoursome. Use plenty of ice though!
Ingredients
60ml amaretto
20ml orange liqueur
20ml fresh lemon juice
Optional garnish: orange slice
Method
Shake with plenty of ice, strain and serve. Simple and ready to enjoy.
Bourbon Sidecar – for the Bourbon lovers
Bringing those classic whiskey notes of oak, warm spice, and vanilla, this is a much less fruity and floral number than the original. It’s a deeper, more brooding twist but with the help of a little syrup, the overall feel actually isn’t miles away from the cognac version so it’s definitely worth a try.
Ingredients
50ml Bourbon
25ml Cointreau
12.5ml fresh lemon juice
1tsp simple syrup
caster sugar
orange twist for garnish
Method
Roll the rim of the glass in a little lemon juice so caster sugar sticks to it. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake with ice until ice cold. Strain into a glass and garnish with the orange twist - delicious!
Boston Sidecar – for the rum lovers
If you’re not familiar with the Boston Sidecar, then it’s kind of a Daiquri-Sidecar hybrid. Also, Between the Sheets is basically the same drink but with lemon instead of lime so if you’ve ordered one of those and enjoyed it then give this a go. The tropical notes of the rum plays off the rich and fruity cognac nicely, with the lime and triple sec providing vibrance and needed bitterness.
Ingredients
20 ml light rum
20ml brandy
20ml triple sec
15ml lime juice
Method
Sidecars are so simple – just shake everything with ice and strain into a cocktail glass! Garnish with orange or lime if you wish!
Tahona Sidecar – for the tequila lovers
Only the lemon juice remains from the original here, with tequila the show stealer. Refreshingly tart with a little sweetness, this is a bold cocktail buzzing with bright citrus that balances out perfectly.
Ingredients
45ml tequila (a good reposado works well)
30ml dry/orange curacao
15ml fresh lemon juice
Orange twist (garnish)
Method
Combine everything in a mixing glass and get shaking with ice. Strain into a pre-chilled glass and away you go!
We love our mixology at The Three Drinkers, so see our best riffs on the Old Fashioned here!