How to Make a Vodka Sidecar (A Twist on a Classic)

The Vodka Sidecar is a sweet, zingy spin on the classic cocktail using vodka instead of brandy. Serve it with a sugar rim for the full effect!

The Sidecar is a classic sour cocktail made with brandy, but this spin adds a little zing on the backend with vodka instead. Sometimes, trying to improve on a classic comes up a little short, but I really like this variation when you need a little something extra outside of the classic cocktails.

What’s in a Vodka Sidecar?

A Vodka Sidecar is a variation of the classic Sidecar cocktail, just made with vodka instead of brandy. If you’ve never had a Sidecar, it’s one of the great classic sour cocktails!

It was invented around 1920 during the Prohibition era, and the name likely referred to an American army captain who drove around in a motorcycle sidecar. The Sidecar is on the list of the International Bartender Association’s (IBA) cocktails, meaning that there’s an “official” definition. Swap out the brandy and you’ve got the vodka version!

Here are the ingredients:

• Vodka
• Cointreau
• Lemon juice

Tasty variations

The Vodka Sidecar is similar to several sour cocktails. The formula is very simple: liquor, citrus, and sweetener. Here are a few sour cocktails with vodka that are in the same flavor profile as a Vodka Sidecar:

• Vodka Sour: This drink is a classic 1920s sour that adds lime and bitters and uses simple syrup instead of Cointreau as the sweetener. It’s also topped with an egg white foam, which is typical for sours like the Boston Sour and Tequila Sour. It’s served in a lowball or Old Fashioned glass instead of a cocktail glass.
• Vodka Gimlet: The main difference with the gimlet is that it uses lime juice instead of lemon and simple syrup instead of Cointreau.
• Lemon Drop Martini: The lemon drop martini is very close to the Vodka Sidecar. The main difference is that the lemon drop uses citron vodka.

How to make a Vodka Sidecar

The Vodka Sidecar is quick and simple! The method is similar to most sour cocktails, except it’s served with a sugar rim instead of an egg white foam. Here are the basic steps:

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

Perfecting the sugar rim

A sugar rim is often used when serving a Sidecar because it helps to offset the tart in sour cocktails. Here’s what to know about making a sugar rim:

• Superfine sugar makes the best sugar rim. Superfine sugar has such a fine texture that it sticks to the glass perfectly. You can use granulated sugar, but it falls off more easily and can result in a sweeter drink.
• Use a lemon wedge to run around the outside of the rim first. This wets the glass quickly and easily without having to wet your finger. You’ll notice that in this drink, I did a thick sugar rim for a fun look.
• Rim only the outside of the glass. The goal is to keep the sugar rim on the glass and not fall into the drink!

Triple sec vs. Cointreau

Triple sec is often the orange liqueur used in a Sidecar, but I recommend using Cointreau! Cointreau has a orange perfume flavor that’s well balanced between bitter and sweet, while triple sec can be more harsh.

Cointreau is so versatile, too. Grab a bottle and you can make a long list of Cointreau drinks, like the Classic Margarita, Cosmopolitan, Mimosa, and more.

Serving suggestions

The Vodka Sidecar is a sophisticated and refreshing cocktail that works for lots of occasions. It’s perfect for sipping as a:

• Summer drink
• Happy hour drink
• Dinner party drink
• Late night drinks drink
• Guys’ or girls’ night drink
• Cocktail hour drink

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More sour cocktails

Sour cocktails are a family of cocktails with base liquor, sour, and sweet elements. There are all sorts of variations on a good “sour.” Here are some of my favorites:

• Classic Mojito
• Classic Daiquiri 
• Tom Collins Cocktail
• Southside Cocktail
• Gin Fizz Cocktail