Sidecar

The Sidecar is one of the great classic cognac cocktails and a perfect example of the sour template applied to brandy. Created in the 1920s (likely at Harry's New York Bar in Paris or London's Buck's Club), this elegant cocktail combines cognac, Cointreau, and fresh lemon juice to create a sophisticated, spirit-forward sour. The drink's name allegedly comes from a customer who arrived by motorcycle sidecar. Served in a sugar-rimmed coupe glass, the Sidecar represents 1920s Paris sophistication, Jazz Age elegance, and the art of cognac cocktails. The drink embodies Lost Generation Paris, American expatriate culture, and the golden age of cocktails. The Sidecar's grape richness (cognac), orange complexity (Cointreau), and citrus brightness create elegant balance. The ratio debate continues: the French school uses equal parts (1:1:1), while the English school uses 2:1:1 (brandy-forward). The cocktail demands quality ingredients: good VS or VSOP cognac, Cointreau (not triple sec), fresh lemon juice, and optional sugar rim. The drink represents the sophistication of brandy cocktails, 1920s Parisian elegance, and the timeless appeal of simple formulas executed well. Whether served at a Parisian bar or a craft cocktail lounge, the Sidecar delivers cognac sophistication.