Sidecar

I am sure most have heard of the cocktail called the sidecar, but not many have actually tried it. This is one of those cocktails that people are just sort of afraid of to order. If there is one thing I have learned in my short time of drinking cocktails, is that you need to not be afraid to take a stab in the dark and order something you never have before.
Made from Cointreau, Cognac, and fresh lemon juice this cocktail is very refreshing and quite appropriate as an after dinner drink. Here is a picture of the finished cocktail.

(image found at http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/cityofate/sidecar.jpg)

Just looking at this cocktail can give you the impression that it is refreshing. The Lemon juice and the cointreau marry with the cognac to make something that has warmth, but also citrus. Here are the ingredients.


(image found at http://www.chateau26.nl/shop/catalog/images/courvoisier%20vsop.jpg)


(image found at http://www.proof66.com/Images/Cointreau.jpg)


(image found at http://disconaplondon.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/lemon.jpg)

For those that do not know, cointreau is an orange flavored liquor which is found in many cocktails. It gives drinks a nice citrus and sweet side that some liquor's do not. And of course you will want to juice that lemon. Here is the recipe for the sidecar:
1.5oz cognac(I like the Courvoisier vsop but any vsop would be appropriate)
3/4 oz. lemon juice
3/4 oz. cointreau
Pour all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice and shake until fully chilled. Strain and serve in a martini or other cocktail glass. Garnish with orange wedge or lemon peel twirl.

While this is the basic recipe you can always modify it to suit your own tastes. One very popular thing to do is line the rim of the glass with sugar so that you get some added sweetness with your drink. I strongly recommend that you do not use a cognac that is not below vsop grade. While the vs cognac's can be used they are to strong in this cocktail for me, so I opt to use the slightly softer Courvoisier vsop. This particular one is easily one of my favorite mixing and sipping cognac's.
Well that is all for this week, I will continue to find more cocktails to hopefully get you all to try.