Hennessy Sidecar Recipe

A classic sidecar cocktail is a joy to drink. I make my Hennessy Sidecar Recipe using a good quality Hennessy cognac and mix it with Cointreau and fresh lemon juice. The result is a rich, sweet, slightly tart cocktail with your taste buds dancing. This post is meant for an audience 21 and over.

 

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Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

Cognac is a style of brandy that is produced in the Cognac region of France. Hennessy produce some of the best cognacs, which work beautifully in a classic sidecar cocktail.

I first enjoyed this cocktail at a bar in Washington D.C., but I’m a huge fan of making cocktails at home, so I had to learn how to make it.

This Hennessy sidecar cocktail recipe is the perfect example of cocktail simplicity. Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker over ice, give it a shake, and strain into your glass of choice. In a matter of minutes, you have the perfect cocktail serving for one.

However with this easy sidecar cocktail recipe feel free to double up the recipe, or even make it in a pitcher if you are serving a larger crowd of friends.

If you enjoy a cocktail when the sun is out, try my Peach Cobbler Cocktail, Bourbon Martini, Classic Margarita, Paloma Cocktail, Jamaican Rum Punch, Fruity Martini, or Jamaican Guinness Punch recipes.

Sidecar Cocktail Ingredients

Here’s what you will need to make a Classic Hennessy Sidecar cocktail:

• Brandy – when it comes to making the best Sidecar Cocktail, I use Hennessy Cognac or a similar high-quality cognac.
• Orange Liqueur – I use Cointreau, but you can also use Grand Marnier or any other orange liqueur.
• Lemon – we use fresh lemon juice, but you can use lemon juice concentrate.
• Ice – you will need ice for shaking the cocktails in the cocktail shaker.
• Sugar – you can sugarcoat the rim of the glass; this is optional.
• Garnish – use an orange or lemon twist for garnish; this is optional.

How to make my Hennessy Sidecar Recipe

Optional: Prepare your coupe or martini glass by moistening the rim with a lemon wedge and then dipping it into a shallow plate of sugar to create a sugar rim.

Combine the Hennessy cognac, orange liqueur, and fresh lemon juice in a cocktail shaker.

Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds to ensure the ingredients are well chilled and mixed.

Strain the cocktail into a prepared coupe or martini glass.

• Garnish with a twist of orange or lemon, if desired.

Expert Tips

These tips will help you make the best Sidecar recipe you’ve ever tried. 

• If you don’t have a shaker, you can simply combine all of the ingredients in a glass filled with ice and stir until well combined.
• This cocktail is best served immediately, but it can also be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, add the ice and stir well.
• Don’t add the ice cubes until you are ready to serve; otherwise, you risk them melting and diluting the cocktail.
• Serving more people, no problem. Increase the recipe and prepare in a large jug rather than a cocktail shaker.

Flavor variations

• The ratio of ingredients in a Sidecar can vary depending on personal preference, but a common recipe is 2 parts cognac, 1 part orange liqueur, and 1 part lemon juice. The cocktail is traditionally served in a sugar-rimmed glass and garnished with a twist of lemon.
• Make a Between the Sheets Cocktail by subbing 1 part of the cognac with rum.
• For the orange liqueur, I use Cointreau, but you can use Grand Marnier or any other orange liqueur.
• In this recipe, we use fresh lemon juice, but feel free to use lemon juice concentrate. If using lemon juice concentrate, increase to 1 ounce. 
• Add Tequila and lime juice, and make a Hennessy Margarita.

FAQs

If you have tried this Hennessy Sidecar recipe or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!