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- Sidecar with Cognac and Cointreau
Sidecar with Cognac and Cointreau
Ingredients
Step by step process
Preparing the glasses
- 1
Chill the cocktail glasses in the freezer for at least 10 minutes so they are properly cold and the cocktail stays fresh in them.
- 2
Pour granulated sugar in an even layer onto a small plate. Moisten the rim of each chilled glass with a lemon slice, then dip it into the sugar to create an even sweet rim.
- 3
Set the sugar-rimmed glasses aside and handle them carefully so you do not brush off the sugar rim.
Mixing the cocktail
- 4
Squeeze fresh juice from the lemons and strain it through a fine sieve to remove the pulp and seeds, obtaining a clear liquid.
- 5
Pour the cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice into a shaker filled with ice in a ratio of 2:1:0.8 and close the lid firmly.
- 6
Shake the shaker vigorously for about 12 to 15 seconds, until the outer wall is covered with frost and all the ingredients are thoroughly chilled and combined.
TIP:Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until visible frost forms on the shaker. This indicates perfect chilling and flavor integration. Shorter duration or weaker intensity will result in a lukewarm drink.
- 7
Strain the contents of the shaker through a bar strainer into the prepared chilled glasses with the sugar rim, so that no ice gets into the cocktail.
Serving
- 8
Garnish each cocktail with a thin strip of orange zest, which you lightly squeeze over the glass before placing it in to release the aromatic oils.
- 9
Serve the Sidecar immediately while it is well chilled and the aroma of citrus and cognac is at its most pronounced.
More tips:
For the classic French school, use a ratio of 2:1:1 (cognac:Cointreau:lemon). for a more modern and balanced variation, go with 2:1:0.8 as in this recipe, the result is less acidic and more aromatic.
If you do not have Cointreau, you can substitute another quality triple sec or Grand Marnier, which will add a deeper orange note.
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Topic: French Cuisine
