Classic Sidecar

The sidecar is a classic cocktail traditionally made with cognac, orange liqueur (Cointreau, Grand Marnier or another triple sec) and lemon juice. The exact origin of the sidecar is unclear, but it is thought to have been invented around the end of World War I, possibly in London, but more likely in Paris. The Ritz Hotel in Paris, also known as the Hotel Ritz — the oldest Ritz Hotel in the world (1898) — claims origin of the drink, with other rumors placing the origin at Harry’s New York Bar, also in Paris. Legend has it the cocktail was named “sidecar” after a good captain who was customarily driven to and from a little bar in a motorcycle sidecar. According to mythology, the officer was under the weather and asked for an aperitif before lunch. Brandy was thought to fight a cold and known to warm you up, but it was traditionally an after-dinner drink. Since it was only midday, the captain suggested that the bartender add lemon juice and Cointreau to lighten it — and the vitamin C in the lemon juice would also help fight the cold. It was with this simple recipe that a classic cocktail was born. In the 1920s, the sidecar became a signature drink for the Hemingway ex-pat crowd in postwar Paris. Today, we have seen a resurgence of classic cocktails, the sidecar no exception. So next time you’re at Jackson’s, ask one of our skilled bartenders to mix up a little bit of history for you to taste, or give it a try with this classic sidecar recipe. Enjoy!