This post may include affiliate links; see our disclosure policy.
Here’s how to make the Sidecar drink, a classic cocktail with Cognac, Cointreau, and fresh lemon juice! This iconic brandy cocktail is sweet tart and balanced with a sugar rim.
Here’s one of the best classic cocktails of all time: the Sidecar. I first learned about this drink from a friend who raved about it, and after the first sip I knew exactly why it’s stood the test of time. It was unlike anything I had tasted: sweet and tart, with warm oak notes from the Cognac and a citrus essence from orange liqueur.
I’ve been making Sidecars at home ever since. Here’s my go-to recipe, which makes a complex and layered drink: warm, crisp, dry, rich, and full at the same time!
5 Star Reader Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Never had a sidecar before but I had some brandy that needed using, and now it’s become one of my favorites thanks to this recipe. So simple and no added sugar is nice. Love it! Thanks for the great recipe.” -Claudia
Ingredients in a Sidecar
Why is it called a Sidecar? The most common origin story of the Sidecar cocktail is that it was created in 1918, named after an American army captain stationed in Paris in World War I who rode around in a motorcycle sidecar. The iconic Harry’s New York Bar in Paris takes credit for the invention of the drink (it also claims classics like the Between the Sheets and the White Lady). The Sidecar ingredients are:
- 2 oz Cognac (such as Hennessy, Rémy Martin or another brand)
- 1 oz orange liqueur (Cointreau, triple sec or Grand Marnier)
- 1 oz lemon juice
- Superfine or granulated sugar, for the rim (optional)
Choosing Your Cognac
Cognac is a type of French brandy, a liquor made from distilling wine. Popular brands of Cognac include Hennessy, Martell, Rémy Martin, and Courvoisier. There are several grades of Cognac that designate how long it’s been aged: VS or 3 stars (2 years), VSOP (4 years), Napoléon (6 years), and XO (10 years).
Bottles of XO can be upwards of $200, but there’s no need to go that high-end in a cocktail! You can use a mid-priced VS or VSOP Cognac for this Sidecar cocktail. You can use up a bottle with Cognac cocktails like Between the Sheets, Stinger, French Connection, or a Sazerac.
If you don’t have Cognac on hand, you can substitute other types of brandy like Armagnac. I’ve also made versions with bourbon and vodka; try my Bourbon Sidecar and Vodka Sidecar formulas.
Mastering the Sugar Rim
A Sidecar is very easy to make: it’s made in the same manner as a margarita, except with a sugar rim instead of salt. The two are related drinks, which might be why the Sidecar tastes both sophisticated and familiar! A sugar rim helps to offset the tart in sour cocktails, like a classic Lemon Drop Martini. Here are a few tips:
- Superfine sugar makes the best sugar rim. It’s so finely ground that it sticks to the glass perfectly. You can use granulated sugar, but it falls off more easily.
- Run a lemon wedge around the outside of the rim. This wets the glass quickly without having to wet your finger.
- Dip the outside edge of the glass in a plate of sugar. The goal is to keep the sugar on the outside rim on the glass so it doesn’t fall into the drink.
Perfect Serving Suggestions
The Sidecar is incredibly versatile for different occasions:
- Serve as a pre-dinner cocktail
- Pair with appetizers or cheese boards for an elegant start to dinner
- Enjoy alongside desserts as an after dinner drink
- Make a batch for sophisticated dinner parties or holiday gatherings
Related Drinks to Try
The Sidecar is a classic sour cocktail that features citrus juice, liquor and sweetener (in this case, the sweetener is the Cointreau orange liqueur). There are lots of variations on the Sidecar drink formula. Here are some more sour cocktails that are related to the Sidecar:
- The Between the Sheets cocktail uses the same Sidecar ingredients, along with white rum.
- A Daiquiri is a Sidecar with rum instead of brandy, and lemon instead of lime.
- A Margarita is a Sidecar with tequila and lime instead of brandy and lemon.
- A Whiskey Sour is a Sidecar with whiskey instead of Cognac and simple syrup in place of orange liqueur.
- The Cosmopolitan uses vodka instead of brandy and adds cranberry juice.
- A White Lady is a Sidecar with gin instead of Cognac.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! The sugar rim is traditional but optional. Many bartenders actually prefer the drink without it, as it lets the pure flavors shine through. Try it both ways and see which you prefer.
They’re very similar: both are sour cocktails with a sugar or salt rim. The Sidecar uses Cognac and lemon, while the classic Margarita uses tequila and lime. The Margarita is the Sidecar’s most famous descendant.
A lemon twist or orange twist both work beautifully. Express the oils over the drink by giving the twist a gentle squeeze over the surface before dropping it in or placing it on the rim.
Sidecar Recipe
Here’s how to make one of the best classic cocktails of all time: the Sidecar cocktail! This sour is the perfect balance of Cognac, Cointreau and lemon.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Cognac (VS or VSOP)
- 1 ounce Cointreau
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- For the garnish: lemon twist or orange twist
- Superfine sugar* rim, optional
Instructions
- Cut a notch in a lemon wedge, then run the lemon around the rim of a cocktail glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of superfine sugar.
- Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice and shake until cold.
- Strain the drink into the prepared glass. Garnish with a lemon twist or orange twist.
Notes
*Superfine sugar works well for a sugar rim since it sticks to the glass better than granulated sugar. You can use granulated sugar if it’s all you have; note it can tend to fall off into the drink, making it taste a shade sweeter.
To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons
I liked it and did use the sugar rim but with regular sugar. Did 1/2 oz lemon juice and 1/2 oz fresh orange juice and an orange twist. The all lemon was a bit tart for me but enjoyed the drink using the half and half juice.
Never had a sidecar before but I had some brandy that needed using, and now it’s become one of my favorites thanks to this recipe. So simple and no added sugar is nice. I use Grand Marnier because I prefer it over to Cointreau. Love it! Thanks for the great recipe.
Substituted lemon juice with limoncello, end result unpleasant. Tastes like a lemon cough drop without the medicinal benefit.
Delicious. Thank you!
Hey guys,
We stumbled upon your Classic Sidecar Cocktail recipe this evening whilst looking for cocktails using Hennessy and we’re so pleased that we did.
Thank you so much.
Mark & Kellie from a land down under.
Glad to hear it! :)