According to legend, the Sidecar cocktail was created by a bartender at Harry's New York Bar in Paris during World War I, after the customer for whom it was invented rode up on a motorcycle. This cocktail was supposed to complement the bike.
This cocktail is a mix of cognac, orange and cognac liqueur, and lemon juice topped with brandy soaked dried cherries. While using VS cognac is fine, I recommend using a quality orange liqueur instead of triple sec. I used sparkling sugar for the sugar rim, but regular granulated sugar is fine.
The dried cherries are soaked in brandy for about an hour prior to preparing the drink. The cocktail can be serve straight up or over ice.
Sidecar Cocktail with Dried Cherries
Ingredients
4-6 dried cherries
3 ounces cognac
Lemon wedge
Sparkling or granulated sugar
1 1/2 ounces orange and cognac liqueur
1 1/2 ounces fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- About an hour before making the cocktail, soak the dried cherries in the cognac.
- Rub a lemon wedge on the rim of a cocktail glass.
- Place sugar on a plate and twist the rim of the cocktail glass through it to coat with sugar.
- In an ice filled cocktail shaker, drain the cognac and skewer the cherries.
- Add the orange liqueur and lemon juice.
- Shake for at least half a minute and strain into the cocktail glasses (up or over ice).
- Top with the skewered cherries.
Other Fabulous Bloggers Mixing It Up with Us for Cocktail Day:
- Hot Buttered Chocolate Rum by Cookistry
- Caipirinhas by Food Lust People Love
- Chocolate and Peanut Butter Martini by Hungry Couple
- Chocolate Cupcake Cocktail by JavaCupcake
- Ciderhouse Whiskey by From the Bookshelf
- Coconut-Key Lime Pie Martini by Home Cooking Memories
- Espresso Martini by Liv Life
- Le Jardinier by Confessions of a Culinary Diva
- Peach Sparkler by Noshing With The Nolands
- Safe Sex on the Beach by Mom's Test Kitchen
- Side Car with Dried Cherries by Karen's Kitchen Stories
- Apple Pie Moonshine by Lola's Kitchen
So sophisticated! And delicious! I'm definitely pinning this for later! Great recipe!
ReplyDeleteThanks Betsy. I had always heard of it too and never tried it. It's delish!
DeleteGreat looking cocktail!
ReplyDeleteWhat a classy looking cocktail, fantastic!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tara!
DeleteI've never had a sidecar but they sound delicious! Especially the cherries!
ReplyDeleteI could eat them in bunches!
DeleteI love appletinis!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic combination of flavors in this cocktail, it looks delicious!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Veronica!
DeleteI've been wanting to try a Side Car at home, and think your version is the perfect one to start with!
ReplyDeleteGo for it!
DeleteWhat a spectacular cocktail, Karen! I love the idea of soaked dried cherries.....mmmmmmmmm.... So glad your joined us for cocktail day!
ReplyDeleteThanks Liz for hosting this event!
DeleteI love sidecars and you've made them even better! Love the soaked dried cherries!
ReplyDeleteI just discovered them and wish I had found them before!
DeleteI've always wanted to try a sidecar! Now I think I have to. :)
ReplyDeleteThey're good Anita!
DeleteI never thought of using dried fruits as a garnish, but I really like it. Good idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks Donna! They add a nice flavor to the brandy. Adding a bit of cherry liqueur is nice too actually.
DeleteThis is one stunning drink. Love the presentation. Thanks so much for joining us for this. xx
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for hosting Kim. Wonderful idea!
DeleteOh Karen! Side Cars are one of my favorite cocktails. Yours looks and sounds perfect! I totally agree with you on triple sec!
ReplyDeleteRight? You need the good stuff!
DeleteI've never had a Side Car before! We still have a bottle of cognac and I really want to give this a try. Not that I mind sipping it by itself (eek) but I love your side car recipe.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't until recently. You definitely need to give one a try. Save the VSOP for sipping and get some VS for the side car.
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