Lady’s Sidecar
A citrus and balanced brandy cocktail ∙ Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 17.9% ABV ∙
The Lady’s Sidecar is a Sidecar softened with a splash of orange juice: Cognac, triple sec, and lemon juice, shaken and served up in a coupe.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake all ingredients with ice: Cognac 45 mlTriple sec 30 mlLemon juice 30 mlOrange juice 10 mlSugar syrup 5 ml (opt.)
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Express an orange twist over the cocktail and use as garnish
Tips
- The sugar syrup is optional, so taste your citrus before shaking: riper fruit needs less or none, while tart lemons and oranges want the full 5 ml.
History
The Lady’s Sidecar has no documented creation story of its own. It is a lighter riff on the Sidecar that adds a splash of orange juice to the classic mix of brandy, orange liqueur, and lemon juice, softening the original's tartness.
The Sidecar's earliest documented mentions date to 1922, when two bar books credited it to Pat MacGarry of Buck's Club in London. Harry MacElhone, author of one of those books, later claimed it for himself in Paris, and the origin remains disputed between London and Paris.
FAQ
How do you make a Lady's Sidecar?
Shake 45 ml Cognac, 30 ml triple sec, 30 ml fresh lemon juice, 10 ml fresh orange juice, and, if you like, 5 ml sugar syrup with ice. Fine-strain into a chilled coupe and express an orange twist over the top as the garnish.
