The Sidecar is an amazing classic cocktail. It was created near the end of World War 1, in either Paris or London–nobody knows for sure. It’s named after the motorcycle attachment that was very popular in those times. The idea was to warm up after a ride in one of the motorcycle sidecars, likely a cold adventure even on a pleasant day in Europe! Rumor has it that it was frowned upon in polite company to drink Cognac before dinner, so adding mixers was just the ticket to make it acceptable as a pre-dinner drink. The Sidecar consists of fine Cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice. Cognac is brandy distilled from wine and aged in wooden casks for a minimum of two years and then aged in oak barrels for another two years. It is made under the strictest guidelines. Only brandy made in the Cognac region of France can be called Cognac. Even if brandy is made in the Cognac region of France but doesn’t meet the strict requirements, it may not be called Cognac. While some might prefer to use an orange liqueur like Cointreau, I prefer Grand Marnier in Sidecars as I think the flavor is a bit more robust, pairing well with the Cognac. Grand Marnier, itself, is a blend of fine Cognac and exotic bitter orange liqueur that has been crafted since 1827. With the smooth, rich taste of Cognac and the bright notes of orange and lemon, this drink is both refreshing and delicious and is a wonderful cocktail to have on a relaxing evening. Enjoy!
