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Whiskey Sidecar

A classic three-ingredient whiskey cocktail combining bourbon or rye, Cointreau, and fresh lemon juice for a perfectly balanced, bright and refreshing drink.
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Prep Time 2 minutes
Total Time 2 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Course: Beverage, Cocktail
Cuisine: American, Classic
Calories: 165
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 2 ounces 60 ml whiskey, bourbon or rye preferred
  • 1 ounce 30 ml Cointreau or other orange liqueur
  • 0.75 ounce 22 ml fresh lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • Ice cubes for shaking
  • Optional: sugar for rimming the glass
  • Optional: lemon twist for garnish

Equipment

  • Cocktail shaker or mason jar with tight-fitting lid
  • Jigger or shot glass for measuring
  • Strainer (Hawthorne or fine mesh)
  • Coupe glass or small rocks glass
  • Bar spoon (optional)
  • Juicer or citrus squeezer for fresh lemon juice

Method
 

  1. Chill a coupe or rocks glass in the freezer for at least 60 seconds.
  2. Measure and pour 2 ounces of whiskey into the cocktail shaker.
  3. Add 1 ounce of Cointreau to the shaker.
  4. Squeeze fresh lemon juice to obtain 0.75 ounce, strain into the shaker.
  5. Add a generous handful of ice cubes, filling the shaker halfway.
  6. Shake vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds until the shaker is frosty.
  7. Discard ice or water from the chilled glass and remove from freezer.
  8. Strain the cocktail into the chilled glass, leaving ice behind.
  9. Express a lemon twist over the drink to release oils, then drop it in as garnish.

Notes

Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice and chill your glass beforehand; these two habits alone will make your whiskey sidecar taste like it came from a professional bar.