Balalaika
A sour and citrus liqueur cocktail ∙ Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 22.9% ABV ∙
The Balalaika is a vodka Sidecar: triple sec, vodka and fresh lemon juice, shaken and served up in a martini glass.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake all ingredients with ice: Triple sec 35 mlVodka 25 mlLemon juice 15 ml
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Express an orange twist over the cocktail and use as garnish
Tips
- With 35 ml of triple sec to only 25 ml of vodka, this drink is sweet and needs the water. Shake hard with plenty of ice for 12-15 seconds.
History
The Balalaika is a vodka-based variation of the Sidecar, a brandy, orange liqueur, and lemon juice cocktail first printed in 1922. It swaps vodka for the brandy, a twist tied to vodka's rising popularity in the mid-20th century, and its name evokes the Russian stringed instrument in keeping with its vodka base.
