Sidecar Shots

The Sidecar is a cocktail that combines cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice for a sophisticated drink. Try this classic cocktail in a smaller version with a sugared orange zest rim!

The sidecar is one cocktail that I have always wanted to try. My friend Christine, over at Mid-life Croissant, introduced me to the show Mad Men earlier this year.

Yes, I know I am behind the times, but my Netflix watch list was full of Sons of Anarchy and Walking Dead.

Once I was finished with those, I binged the entire Mad Men series in a week and became obsessed with all of the cocktails. So strange to see how they drank and smoked in the office while working.

It was part of their day in a way that I can’t even fathom. Day drinking at the office?

Smoking in an enclosed area? Wow, how times have changed! Not that much I guess, I day drink!

But I call it research and development and I don’t have to wear a suit to do it.

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Classic Sidecar Cocktail

I started searching for classic cocktail recipes from the Mad Men series and came up with a small list of drinks that were popular in that era.

The Tom Collins, the Bloody Mary, the Vodka Gimlet, and the Sidecar were among them.

Bourbon on the rocks is kind of a given seeing how it is easy to make and bourbon is a much-loved spirit, but I am not sure you can call a single spirit over ice a “cocktail” as it is really just an oversized shot you sip instead of toss back in one gulp.

I wanted to turn some of these classics into shots because, let’s face it, they are very strong drinks for people who are serious about cocktails.

I am serious about my cocktails but mine usually involve more mixers, juice, Fru-Fru types of frozen concoctions or straight wine.

Drinking a serious cocktail, makes everything seem all the more serious and parties are supposed to be fun! We are not negotiating a merger right now, are we?

The classic recipe for a sidecar contains orange liqueur, cognac, and lemon juice. The ratios have been debated with some having more orange liqueur and some with more cognac which makes it less sweet.

I tend to like mine a little sweeter since the cognac is so strong, so I added some simple syrup to mine and an orange zest sugar rim.

This gorgeous orange-flecked flecked spot on the rim is not only pretty but helps the shot go down easier. You know the whole spoonful of sugar and medicine song…

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These Sidecar shots let you have a taste of a classic cocktail and still keep it small so you try some other classic cocktails without going overboard for the night.

Want other cocktails as shots? Start with my Blood Mary Shot with an applewood smoked salt rim or the Paloma Pink Grapefruit Shot!

While you are enjoying your Sidecar Shot, stay tuned for some more classic cocktails turned into shots!

More Party Foods

• Sparkling Champagne Jello Shots
• Salty Dog Shots
• Paloma Shot
• White Russian Shots

Side Car Cocktail Shots for Classy Cocktail Parties

The Sidecar is a cocktail that combines cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice for a sophisticated drink. Try this classic cocktail in a smaller version!

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Drinks and Cocktails

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 5 shots

Calories: 174kcal

Author: Jennifer

Ingredients

Sidecar Shots

• 1/3 cup Cognac
• 3 tablespoons orange liqueur
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice fresh squeezed
• 3 tablespoons simple syrup

Simple Syrup

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar

Orange zest rimming sugar

• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon orange zest

Instructions

Make the simple syrup

• Mix the sugar and water and heat in the microwave until sugar is dissolved.

Make the orange zest rimming sugar

• Combine the sugar and orange zest. If the zest is too wet, dry it out in the microwave for 10 seconds before adding to sugar.

Prep the shot glasses

• Rub one of the fresh squeeze lemons on the rim of a shot glass.
• Dip in the orange rimming sugar.

Make the Sidecar shots

• Combine the cognac, orange liqueur, lemon juice and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.
• Add a few ice cubes and shake.
• Strain into the shot glasses.
• Drink!

Notes

*If you like this recipe, please leave me a comment and rate it with some stars.  Thank you!

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 174kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Sodium: 4mg | Sugar: 33g

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