Step into the world of classic cocktails with a modern twist as we explore the Sidecar.
I’m your host, KAD, and I’ve been slinging drinks and navigating the world of hospitality for over two decades. I’ve perfected my bartending skills, experimented with countless flavour combinations, and learned a thing or two about how to keep the party going behind the bar.
Whether you’re a seasoned bartender like me just looking for some fresh inspiration or a complete beginner who is eager to whip up impressive cocktails at home, Shake, Sip, Serve is here to be your guide. In the below blog, I’ll be sharing my knowledge and experience on everything from classic cocktails and innovative new creations to essential bartending techniques and industry secrets.
I’ll also be offering tips on stocking your home bar, mastering the art of presentation, and creating a memorable experience for your guests. So, grab your shaker, dust off your favourite glassware, and get ready to embark on a delicious journey into the world of bartending!
Let’s Shake, Sip, and Serve up something amazing together.
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The Perfect Chill: Chilling both your glass and the ingredients ensures a perfectly chilled and refreshing Sidecar. Don’t skip the ice bath for your glass!
A Parisian Legacy: The Origins of the Sidecar
The Sidecar emerged in the early 20th century, with competing origin stories:
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Some trace it back to a Parisian bar during World War I, allegedly named for a soldier’s motorcycle sidecar.
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Others credit Harry Craddock of Harry’s New York Bar in Paris, a hub for expatriates and artists in the roaring twenties.
Regardless of its birthplace, the Sidecar quickly became a fixture of Parisian cocktail culture, celebrated for its balance of elegance and accessibility.
Why the Sidecar Endures
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A Symphony of Flavours: Brandy or cognac richness meets citrus tang and orange sweetness.
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Elegant Simplicity: Just three ingredients, easy to make but refined in taste.
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Timeless Style: A staple of speakeasies, Parisian cafés, and today’s craft bars alike.
Like the Sazerac Cocktail, the Sidecar embodies the golden era of cocktail-making — simple formulas yielding iconic results.
Sidecar Cocktail Recipe (AU Measurements)
Ingredients (per serve):
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60ml cognac or brandy (opt for an Australian cognac for local flair)
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30ml orange liqueur (Cointreau, or Australian craft liqueurs like Maggie Beer Orange)
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22ml fresh lemon juice
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Sugar (optional rim)
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Lemon twist, to garnish
Method:
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Chill your glass: Fill coupe with ice + water, then discard.
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Optional sugar rim: Run a lemon wedge around the rim, dip in caster sugar.
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Shake: Add cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice into shaker with ice.
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Shake hard for 15 seconds.
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Double strain into chilled coupe glass.
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Garnish with expressed lemon twist.
⚠️ RSA Note: The Sidecar is spirit-forward. Serve in modest portions, offer water between cocktails, and encourage responsible pacing.
Pro Tips for a Perfect Sidecar
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Cognac quality matters: Try brands like St Agnes XO (Australia) or Hennessy VSOP.
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Fresh juice only: Bottled lemon juice dulls the balance.
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Fine sugar rim: Use superfine caster sugar for a clean edge.
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Glassware choice: A coupe glass enhances both aroma and presentation.
Variations of the Sidecar
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French Kiss: Replace orange liqueur with raspberry liqueur for fruity depth.
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White Sidecar: Use white cognac for a lighter flavour profile.
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Modern Margarita Connection: Swap cognac for tequila and agave syrup — bridging into a Tommy’s Margarita.
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Australian Citrus Twist: Add blood orange juice for colour and tang.
For another citrus-forward icon, check out my Paloma Cocktail — Mexico’s refreshing tequila-and-grapefruit answer to hot summer days.
Serving & Pairing Suggestions
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Food pairings: Duck à l’orange, charcuterie boards, or lemon tart.
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Occasions: Dinner parties, date nights, or as a refined aperitif.
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Seasonality: Works year-round — refreshing in summer, warming in winter.
The Sidecar’s Cultural Impact
From its Parisian roots to its global reputation, the Sidecar is a symbol of refinement. It embodies:
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Parisian nightlife of the 1920s.
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Post-WWI innovation in cocktail craft.
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Enduring popularity on today’s menus, where classics are celebrated.
It sits alongside Martini, Manhattan, and Old Fashioned as one of the great classic cocktails.
The Final Sip
The Sidecar Cocktail is proof that timeless drinks don’t need long ingredient lists — just the right balance of cognac, citrus, and liqueur. It’s elegant, iconic, and still captivating after a century.
Whether you make it at home or order one in a cocktail bar, it’s a reminder of the sophistication and artistry of cocktail history.
So raise your coupe, toast to Parisian style, and enjoy your own slice of roaring twenties elegance. Santé! 🍋🥂
The bartending community…
The bartending community is a vibrant and supportive one, and I’m excited to build that community here on Shake, Sip, Serve.
I’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, and experiences in the comments below.
What are you shaking up these days?
What topics would you like to see covered in future posts?
Let’s connect and continue the conversation!
Liquor & Gaming NSW: This website provides information on liquor licensing, responsible service of alcohol (RSA) training, and regulations for serving alcohol in NSW. It’s essential for anyone working in the hospitality industry in NSW. You can find it here: Liquor & Gaming NSW
Try some of our other recipes:
>Tokyo Tea: Tropical Escape in a Shot a Taste of Eastern Flair
>Painkiller Cocktail: Escape To The Tropics With This Blissful Blend
>Fuzzy Navel: Embrace The Juicy Sweetness Of Summer