Go Back
Classic Sidecar
Jorj Morgan

Classic Sidecar

Cognac and Cointreau with fresh lemon, served in a glass rimmed with fine sugar. A short, bracing classic that never went out of style.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 1 servings
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 2 ounces Cognac (VS or VSOP)
  • 1 ounce Cointreau (or other quality orange liqueur)
  • ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
  • Ice
Optional Sugar Rim
  • 1 Lemon wedge
  • Fine sugar
Garnish
  • 1 Long lemon twist

Equipment

  • Coupe glass
  • Cocktail shaker
  • Hawthorne strainer
  • Citrus twist knife

Method
 

Preparation
  1. If desired, rub the rim of a chilled coupe glass with a lemon wedge and dip half the rim into fine sugar.
  2. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add Cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice.
  3. Shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds until thoroughly chilled.
  4. Strain into the prepared coupe glass and garnish with a long lemon twist.

Notes

Makes 1 cocktail.
Jorj's Tip
Use freshly squeezed lemon juice and a quality Cognac. The beauty of a Sidecar lies in its perfect balance—bright citrus, smooth Cognac, and just enough orange sweetness. Skip bottled lemon juice; it simply isn't the same.
Hosting a Crowd
For 8 guests, prepare the base ahead of time:
• 2 cups Cognac
• 1 cup Cointreau
• ¾ cup fresh lemon juice
Refrigerate until guests arrive.
Shake each serving individually with ice and strain into chilled sugar-rimmed coupe glasses.
Host's Shortcut: If you're entertaining a larger crowd, chill the mixture well in advance and serve it from a beautiful crystal pitcher over a large block of ice. Guests can garnish their own cocktails with lemon twists.
Make It Your Own
• Grand Sidecar: Substitute Grand Marnier for the Cointreau for a richer, deeper orange flavor.
• Wisconsin Supper Club Sidecar: Add a dash of orange bitters for an extra layer of citrus.
• Brandy Sidecar: Replace the Cognac with premium American brandy for a nod to classic Midwestern supper clubs.
• Champagne Sidecar: Top with a splash of Champagne for a sparkling variation worthy of a celebration.