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Sidecar

I always think of the sidecar as a brandy margarita, except that it is made with fresh lemon juice.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine world
Servings 1 people
Calories 206.2 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Cocktail Shaker Essential for proper chilling and dilution.
  • 1 Jigger For precise measurement of spirits and mixers.
  • 1 Martini Glass Traditional serving vessel for this cocktail.
  • 1 Citrus Juicer For freshly squeezed lemon juice.
  • 1 Fine-Mesh Strainer (Optional) For a cleaner, pulp-free drink.

Ingredients
  

Main

  • ice cubes
  • ½ fluid ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • ½ fluid ounce Cointreau or triple sec
  • 1 fluid ounce brandy
  • 1 lemon wedge

Instructions
 

  • Fill a cocktail shaker 3/4 full with ice cubes. Pour in lemon juice, Cointreau, and brandy. Cover and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds until the outside of the shaker becomes cold and frosty. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a wedge of lemon.

Notes

The quality of your ingredients significantly impacts a Sidecar. Always opt for freshly squeezed lemon juice; bottled alternatives lack the vibrant acidity. The choice of brandy is crucial—a VS or VSOP Cognac works beautifully, offering depth without overpowering. For Cointreau, ensure it's a high-quality triple sec for a balanced sweetness and orange aroma. For an enhanced presentation and flavor, consider a sugared rim (fine sugar) or a half-sugar, half-salt rim on the martini glass, which complements the tartness. Vigorously shaking for 30 seconds ensures optimal chilling and dilution, leading to a perfectly balanced drink.