Vodka Sidecar
Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 21.8% ABV ∙
The Vodka Sidecar is a Sidecar made with vodka instead of cognac: vodka, triple sec and fresh lemon, shaken and served up in a coupe with a salted rim.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Rim the glass with salt
- Shake all ingredients with ice: Vodka 45 mlTriple sec 20 mlLemon juice 15 mlSugar syrup 5 ml
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Garnish with a lemon twist
Tips
- Rim only half the glass with salt, so each sip can be taken with or without it.
- Vodka has no flavor of its own to hide extra sugar, so keep the syrup to 5 ml.
History
The Vodka Sidecar is a modern variation that replaces the cognac of the Sidecar with vodka. Without the grape-brandy backbone, the orange liqueur and lemon carry more of the flavor, and the drink tastes cleaner and more neutral.
The Sidecar itself first appeared in print in 1922; its inventor and birthplace are disputed.
FAQ
Can a Sidecar be made with vodka?
Yes. The Vodka Sidecar swaps the brandy of a classic Sidecar for vodka, giving a cleaner, more neutral base.
What are the ingredients of a Vodka Sidecar?
Vodka (45 ml), triple sec (20 ml), fresh lemon juice (15 ml) and sugar syrup (5 ml), with a salt rim on the glass.
How do you make a Vodka Sidecar?
Rim a chilled coupe with salt, then shake the vodka, triple sec, lemon juice, and sugar syrup hard with ice. Fine-strain into the glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
What makes a good Vodka Sidecar?
Keeping the sugar in check. Vodka is neutral and can't mask extra sweetness, so the syrup stays at 5 ml and the lemon and triple sec carry the drink. Salting only half the rim lets each sip go with or without salt.
