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Cocktails

Sidecar

Sidecar is an alcoholic cocktail built on Cognac. It leans citrus and dried fruit. Built and served in a Cocktail Glass. Expect about 28.6% ABV and roughly 193 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by How we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction
Cocktailalcoholic28.6% ABV3 ingredients

At a Glance

193 kcalCalories
28.6%ABV
4.4gSugar
6.5gCarbs
1.67Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Easyshaken drink

Why: 3 ingredients, shaken drink, requires shaker

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients & Tools

Tools:Cocktail Shaker

How to Make It

  1. Pour all ingredients into cocktail shaker filled with ice.Shaken
  2. Shake well and strain into cocktail glass.Shaken

How to Serve

Glass
Cocktail Glass
Temperature
Chilled
Ice
Ice
Method
Shaken
Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

CitrusDried Fruit

Supporting notes

GrapeOakSpiceSweet

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong
BodyLight – Full
SweetnessDry – Sweet
AcidityFlat – Crisp
FruitinessEarthy – Fruity
BoldnessDelicate – Bold
  • High ABV
  • Full-bodied

What do these dimensions mean?

When to serve

  • Seafood DinnerSuggested from its lemon and citrus notes, pairing with ceviche and seafood.

Occasion tags are inferred from drink style, serving format, flavour profile, food-pairing theme, recipe metadata, and strict multi-signal supplemental rule matches.

Food pairings

SeafoodCevicheSalads

Food pairings are derived from the drink flavour signature, mapped to one dominant pairing theme, then limited to coherent public suggestions.

Diet & lifestyle

Compatible, based on the listed ingredients

Gluten-FreeVegetarian

May be limited

Vegan

Not compatible

KetoLow-CarbLow-Sugar
Find vegan-compatible cocktails

Diet tags are ingredient-level and nutrition-estimate based. Product brands, preparation methods, quantities, and substitutions may change compatibility.

Alternatives to try

Choose an ingredient to see reviewed substitutions, or filter for a different preference.

Reviewed ingredient substitutions

Cognac2 oz

BrandyWorks, with a noticeable change
How much to use
Use the same amount; taste before changing citrus or sweetener.
What changes
Another grape brandy can replace Cognac when exact Cognac character is not essential; expect more variation by style and producer.
Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Cointreau1/2 oz

Triple SecGood swap
How much to use
Use the same amount; reduce other sweetener if the drink becomes too sweet.
What changes
Triple sec can replace Cointreau, though the result may be softer or sweeter.
Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Lemon Juice1 oz

Lime JuiceWorks, with a noticeable change
How much to use
Start with the same amount, then adjust sweetness if the drink tastes too sharp.
What changes
Lime juice can usually replace lemon juice, but the drink becomes sharper and more tropical.
Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Reviewed component substitutions are not guarantees that the replacement was tested in this exact recipe. Follow the reviewed adjustment note and taste before serving.

Preference filters use current ingredient, nutrition and diet evidence. They are not medical advice, and this database contract does not store user selections.

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Last updated

Ingredients, measures and method are taken from the source recipe; roles and serving details are mapped from reviewed evidence.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Sidecar?
The Sidecar is a cocktail made with 3 ingredients, traditionally served in a Cocktail Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 28.6%. A standard serving contains approximately 193 calories.
What does a Sidecar taste like?
Sidecar has a flavour profile featuring Citrus, Dried Fruit, Grape, Oak. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with a Sidecar?
Sidecar pairs well with Seafood, Ceviche, Salads. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is a Sidecar?
The Sidecar has an ABV of approximately 28.6%. That's approximately 1.67 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 193 kcal, 4.4g sugar, 6.5g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a Sidecar typically served?
Sidecar is often suggested for Seafood Dinner, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a Sidecar?
If you enjoy Sidecar, the "similar flavour profile" suggestions on this page point to cocktails that share its flavour character. Drinks with a matching spirit base and comparable body and acidity feel closest.
Can I make a Sidecar at home?
Yes. The Sidecar uses 3 ingredients, making it easy to prepare at home. You will need a Cocktail Glass. Use quality spirits and fresh ingredients for the best result.
What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?
Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Body (light to full), Dryness (sweet to bone dry), Acidity (flat to crisp), Fruitiness (subtle to prominent) and Boldness (delicate to bold). Each scale helps you compare cocktails at a glance and find ones with similar character.
How do I use sensory profiles to find cocktails I like?
Compare the Body, Acidity and Fruitiness of Sidecar with other cocktails. If you enjoy this drink, look for others with a similar profile. Adjust one dimension at a time to discover new favourites while staying in your flavour comfort zone.