The perfect brandy cocktail for margarita fans, this Sidecar Cocktail is a step back in time perfect for enjoying while watching old movies or enjoying as an old-fashioned appertif.

The perfect brandy cocktail for margarita fans, this Sidecar Cocktail is a step back in time; strong, citrus-forward and just slightly bitter and sour.

Sidecar Cocktail Recipe

The classic sidecar cocktail came about towards the end of WWI and was named for the motorcycle sidecar – with many bartenders claiming to have created the cocktail inspired by their own adventures.

Originally, the recipe was equal parts brandy or cognac, triple sec and lemon juice, however over time the English version (which originated in London’s Buck Club has become more popular) evolved to have 2 parts brandy to one part each triple sec and lemon juice.

A sidecar cocktail is a cognac daisy – a cocktail made with fresh citrus juice and triple sec, so it’s similar to a margarita (tequila daisy) or a cosmopolitan (vodka daisy). A sidecar cocktail is strong and citrus-forward, just slightly bitter and sour.

My version tones down the triple sec and lemon juice slightly so that the citrus notes don’t overwhelm the flavour of the brandy and some people like to sugar the rim of the glass to help counteract the bitterness of the triple sec. Feel free to taste and adjust your sidecar cocktail to suite your personal preferences.

Bourbon Sidecar: If you don’t have brandy or cognac (or are simply not a fan of either), you can swap it out for bourbon or whiskey. And if you’re not a fan of the bitterness of triple sec, an orange curaçao can be used in it’s place.

More Classic Cocktail Recipes:

I often order my liquor from Drizly because they have a quick delivery time (sometimes within 40 minutes) and no expensive mark-ups. Purchasing from them supports local retailers, too. You can order the brandy and triple sec needed for this recipe here.

Ingredients for Sidecar Cocktail

Cognac or Brandy
Triple Sec
Lemon Juice
Orange, optional garnish
Sanding sugar, optional garnish

Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.

Tip: if you’re not a fan of the bitterness of triple sec, an orange curaçao can be used in it’s place – or you can add a sugar rim to the glass to counteract it.

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

Liquid measure
Shallow martini or champagne glasses
Vegetable peeler

How to Make Sidecar Cocktails

If sugaring your glass, place the sanding sugar in a shallow dish wide enough for the top of the glass, and then wet the rims of your glasses.

Dip the glasses in the sanding sugar and set aside as you assemble your ingredients.

Peel the orange rind in a thick ribbon using your vegetable peeler. Twist gently and set aside.

Measure out 2 oz of cognac or brandy into each glass, followed by 3/4 oz of triple sec and 3/4 oz of lemon juice.

Garnish with your orange wedge and enjoy!

Makes 2.

Pin this Classic version of a Sidecar cocktail to enjoy the next time you want to step back in time:

How to make an old-fashioned sidecar cocktail, the perfect brandy cocktail for margarita fans - and perfect for an old-fashioned movie night or themed party

Grab your free printable recipe card for our classic Sidecar cocktail recipe:

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Yield: 2 Cocktails

Sidecar Cocktail

Name: Sidecar Cocktail
Prep time: 3 min
Total time: 3 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Cocktail recipe
Ingredients: 4 oz Cognac or Brandy; 1 1/2 oz Triple Sec; 1 1/2 oz Lemon Juice; Orange, optional garnish; Sanding sugar, optional garnish

The perfect brandy cocktail for margarita fans, this Sidecar Cocktail is a step back in time; strong, citrus-forward and just slightly bitter and sour.

Prep Time 3 minutes

Total Time 3 minutes

Ingredients

4 oz Cognac or Brandy
1 1/2 oz Triple Sec
1 1/2 oz Lemon Juice
Orange, optional garnish
Sanding sugar, optional garnish

Instructions

If sugaring your glass, place the sanding sugar in a shallow dish wide enough for the top of the glass, and then wet the rims of your glasses.
Dip the glasses in the sanding sugar and set aside as you assemble your ingredients.
Peel the orange rind in a thick ribbon using your vegetable peeler. Twist gently and set aside.
Measure out 2 oz of cognac or brandy into each glass, followed by 3/4 oz of triple sec and 3/4 oz of lemon juice.
Garnish with your orange wedge and enjoy!

Notes

If you don't have brandy or cognac (or are simply not a fan of either), you can swap it out for bourbon or whiskey. And if you're not a fan of the bitterness of triple sec, an orange curaçao can be used in it's place.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 274Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 7mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 2gSugar: 14gProtein: 1g

Sugar, Spice and Glitter uses an auto-generate nutrition calculator. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate unless analyzed in a scientific lab, so these should be considered more of a guideline than medical information.

For more tantalizing cocktails, check out our full cocktail recipe collection here:

Classic Sidecar Brandy Cocktail