The Sidecar.  It’s one of my go-to cold weather drinks.  It’s what I order when I want something sweet rather than savory (like another one of my favorites — the dirty martini). There are different variations of this cocktail.  Some use cognac, others brandy.  Sometimes it’s made with triple sec and sometimes cointreau.  Where I usually order it, they use brandy and triple sec.

The Ritz Hotel in Paris claims they created the drink in the early 1900’s, but a couple of British gentlemen have also claimed to be the inventor.  Regardless, it is named after the attachment on a motorcycle.  The drink has morphed and changed a lot since then, going through numerous variations.

Fancy people in England and France drank this cocktail over 100 years ago, which makes me feel very cool when I order it even though the bartender probably laughs about me behind my back.

I really like my cocktails served up so that I can sip and savor them without worrying about ice watering down the flavor.  So I love that this is served in a martini glass.

If you want to try this at home, it’s pretty simple!

INGREDIENTS:

Freshly squeezed lemon juice and sugar if you want to frost the rim
1 cup Cognac or good brandy
1/2 cup Triple Sec or Cointreau
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
Maraschino cherries (I like Tillen Farms all natural) or lemon peel, to garnish

METHOD:

If you want to frost the glasses, swipe the lemon wedge around four martini glasses and then dip in a shallow plate of sugar.

Combine the Cognac, Triple Sec, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and pour into the martini glasses. Garnish with a cherry or lemon peel (or both, if you feel like living on the edge).

CHEERS!