It’s a complex and layered drink: warm, crisp, dry, rich, and full at the same time. It will make you do a happy dance (it does for us, every time!). Here’s what you need to make this sour cocktail at home!
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)
Bottles of XO can be upwards of $200, but there’s no need to go that high-end. 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. The sugar rim is not part of the “official” definition of a Sidecar cocktail, but it’s often traditionally served with it. The 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.
5 from 1 review To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons
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.
