DrinksKatherine ZalaskyBrandy, Lemon, Orange Liquor, Triple Sec, Cointreau, Classic, cocktail1 Comment

Sidecar

DrinksKatherine ZalaskyBrandy, Lemon, Orange Liquor, Triple Sec, Cointreau, Classic, cocktail1 Comment
Sidecar

When it comes to cocktails, autumn makes us think of brandy. It blends perfectly with mulled drinks, like cider and wine. We’re not quite ready to dive into hot beverages, but the Sidecar offers a middle ground between Summer and Fall. If you shy away from tart drinks, or have very acidic lemons, decrease the lemon juice a touch. Quality ingredients will make a difference in this simple cocktail.

Yield: 1 cocktail

Ingredients

  • 2 oz. brandy

  • 1 oz. fresh lemon juice (use 0.75 oz. if you want a little more sweetness)

  • 1 oz. orange liquor (such as Cointreau or Triple Sec)

  • Lemon twist (for garnish)

  • White sugar (for garnish, optional)

  • Shaker

  • Ice

  • Tea strainer

  • Hawthorne strainer (optional, use if you have Boston tins rather than a shaker with a built in strainer)

Instructions

Spread a bit of sugar onto a plate or cutting board and prepare your glass by rubbing the rim with a wedge of lemon. Press the rim into the sugar to lightly coat the glass.

Combine the brandy, lemon juice, and orange liquor in a shaker. Top with 6-8 ice cubes and shake vigorously for 10 seconds, until well chilled. Double strain the cocktail through the top of the shaker (using a Hawthorne strainer if needed) and through a tea strainer.

Form the lemon twist by running the peeler from end to end of the lemon (try to peel just the zest, leaving the bulk of the white pith on the lemon). Twist the lemon peel over the top of cocktail to release the lemon oils onto the drink. Gently set the lemon peel on the sugared rim.

Sidecar