Vodka Sidecar

The Vodka Sidecar is tart and tangy, a twist on the classic cocktail using vodka instead of brandy. Serve with a sugar rim for full effect!

Here’s a zesty take on a classic cocktail that’s a solid drink in its own right: the Vodka sidecar! The Sidecar is a classic brandy-based tangy cocktail, and this spin replaces it with… you guessed it, vodka! Sometimes trying to improve on a classic falls a bit short. But this vodka sidecar is definitely worth buying. It’s refreshing and sparkling, with some vodka in the background. Alex and I sampled it against our Classic Sidecar and we loved that variation. That’s how it’s done!

What’s in a vodka sidecar?

A vodka sidecar is a twist on the classic sidecar cocktail, made with vodka instead of brandy. If you have never had a sidecar, well: it is one of the great classics of sparkling cocktails! It was invented around 1920, and the name likely referred to a US Army captain who rode around in a motorcycle sidecar. Sidecar is on the International Bartender Association’s official IBA cocktail list, meaning there is an “official” definition of sidecar. Substitute the brandy and you have the vodka version! Here are the ingredients:

• vodka
• Cointreau
• lemon juice

A variant if you run out of vodka? The Bourbon sidecar.

Variations: Sour Vodka, Vodka Twist and Lemon Martini!

The vodka sidecar resembles several sparkling cocktails! The formula of an acid is very simple: liquor, citrus and sweetener. A few sour vodka cocktails that are cousin drinks to the vodka sidecar are:

• Vodka Sour This drink is a classic sour from the 1920s: this drink adds lime and bitters and uses simple syrup instead of Cointreau as a sweetener. It’s also topped with a protein foam typical of sours (like Boston sour and tequila sour). It is served in a Lowball or Old Fashioned glass instead of a cocktail glass.
• Vodka Gimlet The main difference from Gimlet is that it uses lime juice instead of lemon and plain syrup instead of Cointreau.
• Lemon Drop Martini The Lemon Drop Martini is very similar to Sidecar Vodka: They’re almost identical! The main difference is that the Lemon Drop uses lemon vodka.

How to Make a Vodka Sidecar (Basic Steps)

The vodka sidecar is quick and easy! The method is similar to most sour cocktails, except they’re served with a sugar rim instead of egg white foam. Here are the basic steps (or go to the recipe)

1. Rim the glass with sugar. A sugar rim is optional, but a sidecar is often served with it. This brings out the flavor of the sweet cake even more.
2. Shake in a cocktail shaker. Shake the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice cubes.
3. Pour into a glass and add ice. Strain the drink into a cocktail glass. Serve with a zest or lemon wedge, if you like! (Here’s how to make a twist.)

Use the finest sugar for the perfect sugar rim!

A sugar rim is often used as a sidecar as it helps balance the acidity in acidic cocktails (like the Lemon Drop Martini). Here’s what you need to know about making a sugar rim:

• Superfine sugar gives the best sugar rim. Finest sugar has such a fine texture that it sticks perfectly to the glass. You can use granulated sugar, but it falls off more easily and can make for a sweeter drink.
• First, use a lemon wedge to line the outside of the rim. This wets the glass quickly and easily without having to get your finger wet. You’ll notice that we made a thick sugar rim on this drink for a fun look (as opposed to a thin rim in our classic sidecar).
• Rim only the outside of the glass. The goal is to keep the rim on the glass and not fall into the drink!

Triple sec against Cointreau

Triple Sec is often the orange liqueur used in a sidecar. However, we recommend using Cointreau! Cointreau has an orange perfume flavor that’s balanced between bitter and sweet, while Triple Sec can be harsher.

What is Cointreau used for? So many great cocktails! Grab a bottle and you can create a long list of Cointreau drinks: the classic margarita (and our best margarita recipes), cosmopolitan, mimosa, and more.

When to serve a vodka sidecar

The vodka sidecar is a sophisticated and refreshing cocktail that is suitable for many occasions. It’s perfect for sipping as:

• summer drink
• Happy hour drink
• Drink at dinner
• Late night drinks
• Evening drink between boys or between girls
• Aperitif at aperitif time

Sour cocktails

Acid cocktails are a family of cocktails based on alcohol, acid, and sugar elements. There are all sorts of variations of a good Sauer. Here are some of our favourites:

• Classic Mojito Here’s a classic mojito recipe, perfectly balanced with lime, rum and fresh mint!
• Classic Daiquiri The Classic Daiquiri is made with rum, lime juice and sweetener.
• Tom Collins Cocktail A Tom Collins is also known as a gin sour: it is light and sparkling with sparkling water.
• Southside Cocktail A simple and refreshing gin drink made with mint, lemon and lime: think of it like a gin mojito!
• Gin Fizz Cocktail Classic Gin Fizz is sweet, tart and topped with a frothy protein froth.