Comments on: Sidecar

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 23:28:03 +0000

I’ve got a copy of “Jack’s Manual” (first printed 1908, and went through editions until 1933)

But instead of lemon, Jack says lime. I haven’t tried that yet.

And his proportions were half brandy, half cointreau, and juice of half a lime.

By: Jay

Jay — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:06:09 +0000

calisto - it's curious you say 1/2 a lemon is more reliable than 1/2 shot. Generally most people claim measuring juice is more accurate, but your theory with regards to size of fruit and sourness is interesting. There is a lot more discussion about lemons (and limes) at the Chanticleer Society forums.

By: callisto

callisto — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 06:16:30 +0000

The critical mix between sweet and sour in a sidecar hinges on how much you need to balance the bitter in your lemon.

Rather than 1/2 shot, using the juice of 1/2 lemon is more reliable: the smaller ones tending towards more sour and the bigger towards more sweet.

The best ones I ever made was when the liquour store ordered some Conde de Osborne brandy by mistake and unloaded them for $20 each. An absurd waste of fine sipping brandy, but with Cointreau and fresh lemons, the sidecars were magic!