SIDECAR

Nicole Schembeck
May 29
3 min read

Why I Love a Sidecar – A Cocktail with Elegance, Wit, and a Touch of Mystery

Ah, the Sidecar—a drink with all the sophistication of a well-tailored suit and just enough mischief to make things interesting. It’s a cocktail that straddles the line between refinement and revelry, the sort of thing you sip when discussing philosophy… or plotting minor mischief.

Now, its origins? Murky at best. Paris? London? A mysterious captain in a motorcycle sidecar? Who knows. But honestly, when a drink is this good, does it really matter?

The Sensory Experience of a Proper Sidecar

The Smell

Lean in. Breathe deep. That first waft is bright citrus and deep, warming cognac—like the scent of an old library where someone has just peeled an orange next to a crackling fireplace.

The Taste

And then comes the sip. Rich, smooth, and just a bit daring. The cognac rolls in first, full of caramel and oak, then the orange liqueur adds a touch of suave sweetness before the lemon slices through like a witty remark at a dinner party—sharp, refreshing, and utterly unforgettable.

The Feel

A Sidecar isn’t a drink you toss back in a hurry. It’s a glass of liquid confidence, served up with a sugared rim that adds just the right contrast—a gentle kiss of sweetness before the citrus bite. The kind of drink that makes you sit a little straighter, speak a little more eloquently, and maybe—just maybe—start dropping in quotes from Oscar Wilde.

Why the Sidecar is a Bartender’s Favorite

A Perfect Balancing Act

It’s all about harmony—the strength of cognac, the brightness of citrus, and the smooth, rounded depth of orange liqueur. Get the ratios wrong, and it all falls apart faster than an overambitious soufflé. Get them right, and you have a masterpiece.

A Drink with Stories

It’s French, it’s English, it’s named after a cocktail leftover or a motorbike accessory. Take your pick. No one truly knows, which means you’re free to spin a tale with each pour.

A Toast to the Roaring Twenties

That sugared rim? A little celebratory sparkle, a nod to the days when jazz was king and people dressed up simply to go outside.

A Final Thought

So, my dear friend, the next time you find yourself standing at a bar, staring at an impossibly long cocktail menu, do yourself a favor. Order a Sidecar. Watch the bartender nod approvingly, measure out the ingredients with precision, and shake it just long enough to let the magic happen.

Take a sip. Let it remind you that some things in life don’t need reinvention—because they were already perfect the first time.

Ingredients:

1½ ounces cognac

¾ ounce orange liqueur (such as Cointreau)

¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice

Garnish: orange twist

Garnish: sugar rim (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

If using a sugar rim, spread a thin, even layer of sugar onto a small saucer. Moisten the outer edge of a chilled cocktail glass by running a lemon wedge around approximately ½ inch of the rim. Gently blot away any excess juice with a paper towel to prevent dripping. Roll the moistened rim in the sugar until evenly coated. Tap off any excess sugar that may have fallen into the glass, then set aside.

In a cocktail shaker, combine the cognac, orange liqueur, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds until the mixture is well-chilled and perfectly blended.

Double-strain the cocktail into the prepared glass, ensuring a smooth, refined pour.

Garnish with an elegant orange twist, allowing its citrus oils to enhance the drink’s aroma.

Serve immediately and enjoy a cocktail that is bold, balanced, and timelessly sophisticated.