Sidecar

  Posted on May 14, 2010  by Leslie Blythe  1 comment

The Betty White Luncheon

A few years ago, I went to a luncheon that featured Betty White. Talk about making a comeback! No one can touch her comic timing. She is brilliant.

I was sitting at a table of “older” ladies. It was 11:30 am. Two of the ladies ordered Sidecars. Whoa! It’s not even noon! I ordered a glass of Chardonnay – my friends are not surprised. I kept my eye on these two and they seemed to be able to hold their liquor.

Betty talked about her love of elephants and animals. She talked about the Golden Girls, Mary Tyler Moore, etc. It was a very nice event.

Years ago when I lived in NYC, I had drinks at the now defunct Café des Artistes (R.I.P.). This restaurant was an institution and had the best bartender in the US named Victor. His discretion was exemplary. I went there with my friend Brady and he bought me a sidecar, then another, then another. He actually would have my glass refilled when my back was turned. I could have killed him the next day, not sure how I got home that night!

The Sidecar is a classic cocktail traditionally made with Cognac (you can also use brandy), orange liqueur (Cointreau, Grand Marnier or another triple sec), and lemon juice. The rim of the glass is dipped in sugar. It’s delicious, but lethal. The Ritz Hotel in Paris claims to have invented the drink.

Sidecar

Serves 1

1½ oz cognac
1 oz Cointreau® orange liqueur
½ oz fresh lemon juice

Take a lemon wedge, notch a slice into the middle and use it to moisten the rim of a chilled cocktail glass. Frost the moistened outer rim of the glass with superfine sugar. Shake ingredients together with cracked ice and strain into prepared cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon twist, and serve.