• Cognac (or good-quality brandy)
  60 ml (2 oz)

  Use a VS or VSOP cognac for best flavor
• Cointreau (or triple sec)
  30 ml (1 oz)

  Cointreau is preferred for its smoothness
• Fresh lemon juice
  25 ml (0.75 oz)

  Fresh-squeezed, not bottled
• Simple syrup
  10 ml (0.25 oz)

  Optional, to taste if you prefer it a little sweeter
• Sugar (for rim)
  1 tbsp

  Optional, for rimming the glass

• Cocktail shaker
• Jigger
• Citrus juicer
• Fine mesh strainer
• Coupe or martini glass

1. 1

   Chill your coupe or martini glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.

2. 2

   If desired, prepare a sugar rim: rub a lemon wedge around the rim of the glass, then dip it into a shallow plate of sugar to coat.

3. 3

   Fill your cocktail shaker with ice.

4. 4

   Add cognac, Cointreau, fresh lemon juice, and (if using) simple syrup to the shaker.

5. 5

   Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds, until well-chilled.

6. 6

   Double strain into the prepared, chilled glass (to remove ice shards and pulp).

7. 7

   Garnish with a lemon twist or orange peel.

• Perfect balance of tart, sweet, and boozy notes
• Elegant and timeless—never goes out of style
• Versatile enough for both casual sipping and special occasions
• Simple ingredients, but endlessly customizable
• A crowd-pleaser that impresses both novices and cocktail aficionados

The Sidecar is believed to have originated in the early 1920s, with both Paris and London claiming its invention. Legend has it that an American army captain, often chauffeured in a motorcycle sidecar, inspired the name at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris. This Prohibition-era classic was originally crafted to showcase French cognac, making it a symbol of cosmopolitan flair and continental style. Over the decades, the Sidecar has become a staple of cocktail menus worldwide—an enduring favorite for those who crave a tart, spirit-forward tipple.