The origins of the Sidecar are somewhat mysterious, with conflicting claims about its creation. However, the most widely accepted story traces its roots to the early 20th century in Europe, particularly Paris.
Parisian Origins:
One popular narrative attributes the creation of the Sidecar to the Ritz Hotel in Paris during the aftermath of World War I. The story suggests that the cocktail was named after the motorcycle attachment—a sidecar—due to the common practice of serving it in a glass with a distinctive shape resembling the sidecar of a motorcycle.
The Ritz Hotel in Paris holds a special place in cocktail history, and it’s plausible that the Sidecar was crafted by a skilled bartender seeking to create a sophisticated and balanced drink.
Variations and Evolutions:
Over the years, the Sidecar has undergone variations, with adjustments to the ratios and choice of ingredients. However, the classic combination of brandy or cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice remains the hallmark of the Sidecar.
The Sidecar’s popularity soared in the 1920s and 1930s, becoming a favored choice among the fashionable elite in both Europe and the United States.
Sidecar Cocktail Ingredients
- Cognac or Brandy: 60ml (2oz)
- Orange Liqueur (like triple sec or Cointreau): 30ml (1oz)
- Fresh Lemon Juice: 30ml (1oz)
- Optional: Simple Syrup (adjust to taste)
- Optional: Sugar for rimming the glass
Sidecar Cocktail Recipe
- Prepare Glass: Optionally, rim a chilled coupe glass with sugar for added sweetness and appearance.
- Combine Ingredients: In a shaker, mix 60ml cognac or brandy, 30ml orange liqueur, and 30ml lemon juice. Optionally, add simple syrup to sweeten to your liking.
- Shake: Fill the shaker with ice and shake well for about 15 seconds for a well-chilled and mixed drink.
- Strain: Fine strain into your prepared coupe glass to avoid ice chips.
- Garnish: Optionally, add a twist of lemon peel as garnish. Twist over the drink to release oils, then drop it in.
The Sidecar Cocktail – From Paris To the World
The Sidecar, a classic cognac cocktail with a rich history spanning over a century, remains a popular choice among cocktail lovers today. This tangy and dry drink comprises cognac, orange liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and sometimes a sugared rim. It’s closely related to the Brandy Crusta, an old New Orleans drink that has experienced a resurgence in popularity recently.
Believed to have originated around World War I, the Sidecar appeared in cocktail recipe books in the early 1920s with variations in ingredient proportions. The modern recipe typically calls for two parts cognac, one part Cointreau, and one part lemon juice. While the sugared rim is optional, it adds a delightful touch of sweetness to the drink, balancing its tartness.
The origin of the Sidecar’s name is a topic of debate, with some attributing it to a customer arriving in the sidecar of a motorcycle at a French or English bar. However, bar veteran Dale DeGroff suggests that the name refers to the additional mixture left in the shaker and served in a shot glass alongside the main cocktail. Regardless of its origins, serving a sidecar shot alongside the Sidecar cocktail adds a charming touch to the drinking experience and provides an opportunity to share the cocktail’s intriguing history.
Cheers to the art of making cocktails and the timeless allure of the Sidecar! View more Brandy Cocktails if that”s your drink of choice.
