Like all great cocktails of the 20th century, the origins of the Sidecar are hotly contested. One version postulates this delicious Cognac concoction was first whipped up at Harry’s New York Bar (which, funnily enough, was in Paris) sometime during World War I for a gentleman who rode in and ordered from his motorcycle sidecar.
Some say it was The Ritz Hotel (also in Paris) that coined the cocktail, while others attribute its creation to legendary bartender Pat McGarry at London’s Buck’s Club – a historic haunt for the city’s most famous (and infamous) aristocrats.
Whichever version holds true remains unknown, but what we can say for sure is the Sidecar is a fan favourite to this day. Sort of like a sour, only dryer, this classic drink combines the smooth, aromatic scent of Cognac with the orange sweetness of triple sec and a lick of fresh lemon juice for added bite. Though its genius lies in its simplicity, nailing the proportions is key.
Now, while Cognac might seem like more of an after-dinner type of proposition, the Sidecar makes for an excellent aperitif. And if we’re to believe the Harry’s New York Bar version of events, the gentleman in the sidecar’s request was “a drink to warm me up for dinner.” So, with that in mind, go forth and chill your coupes – the Sidecar’s waiting.
