Shake hard and fine strain over fresh ice
Whiskey Sour
Bright lemon, rounded bourbon, and a gently bittersweet finish.
Shake with ice and fine-strain into a chilled coupe
Sidecar
A three-part classic that teaches how a hard shake turns spirit, citrus, and liqueur into one polished line.
Edited by CocktailSteps Editorial Team
- Time
- 4 minutes
- Level
- Intermediate
- Glass
- Coupe
- Approx. ABV
- 25% · Medium-high
- Tradition
- British–French
- Profile
- Sweet · Sour · Citrus
Ingredient totals
Ingredients
Amounts below make one drink. The method, Quick Check, and guided Make use these one-glass amounts.
1.67 ozCognacRecommended brandPierre Ferrand 1840 Original Formula
0.67 ozTriple secRecommended brandCointreau L’Unique
0.67 ozFresh lemon juiceRecommended brandSunkist Lemon
Measured method · one drink
How to make Sidecar
These steps make one glass. For more drinks, use the ingredient totals above to set up, then repeat this method for each serving.
- 01
Measure the Sidecar
1⅔ oz Cognac · ⅔ oz orange · ⅔ oz lemon
Add 1⅔ oz Cognac, ⅔ oz triple sec, and ⅔ oz fresh lemon juice to an ice-filled shaker.
Measure the Sidecar visual check - 02
Shake until cold
Shake with ice · 10 sec
Seal the shaker and shake hard for 10 seconds until the outside is thoroughly cold.
Shake until cold visual check - 03
Strain into the coupe
Fine-strain into a chilled coupe
Fine-strain the Sidecar into a chilled coupe, leaving every ice shard behind.
Strain into the coupe visual check
Seal the shaker and shake hard for 10 seconds until the outside is thoroughly cold.
AI-assisted illustration of one step. Follow the measured method above; sound is optional.Key move
Keep the three-part ratio exact so Cognac stays at the center
Technique note
Why this build works
The Sidecar uses orange liqueur as its sweetener, with no separate syrup in this version. Equal ⅔-ounce measures of liqueur and lemon frame the larger Cognac pour, connecting citrus aroma with the spirit's grape and oak notes. The metric measures, 50 ml Cognac and 20 ml each of the other ingredients, are convenient when a jigger lacks thirds. Shake with ice and taste for a cold, integrated sour before straining into a chilled coupe.
Common failure points
- The Sidecar is puckering even after chilling.
- Confirm the 20 ml lemon and liqueur measures. Liqueurs differ in sugar and strength; if adjustment is needed, add a small measured amount of sweetness rather than another unmeasured pour of brandy.
- Every sip is sugary although the liquid tastes balanced.
- This version has no sugar rim. If adding one as a variation, coat only part of the outside rim so the drink can also be tasted without it.
Measure or substitute
Another grape brandy can replace Cognac at 50 ml, with differences in age and oak showing through. Orange juice cannot replace the 20 ml triple sec: it adds acid and water while removing the liqueur's alcohol and concentrated sweetness.
Recipe references
These references describe the drink or its ingredients. Our measured build and teaching notes are CocktailSteps adaptations; proportions and methods may differ from the reference.
Set the station
Tools
JiggerRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom Japanese Style Jigger
Cocktail shakerRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom KORIKO Shaking Tins
Fine strainerRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom COCO Mesh Cone
CoupeRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom Leopold Coupe
Choose your bottle
Bottle buying guide
Best fit is our default. Spend less with Smart buy, or choose Upgrade when you want more character.
Cognac
Triple sec
Know the pour
Medium-high
A compact Cognac sour with orange liqueur and moderate shaking dilution.
Contains alcohol. Serve only to adults of legal drinking age and enjoy responsibly.
