Apple Sidecar Cocktail

This Apple Sidecar Cocktail is a warming, earthy and perfectly sweet drink for the fall/autumn and winter season. It’s a delicious twist on a true cocktail classic with delicious, seasonal flavors of orange, apple, sage and nutmeg.

What is a Sidecar?

The original classic sidecar cocktail from World War II (named after the motorcycle) attachment, is made with cognac, orange liqueur and lemon juice.

My cognac sidecar is based on the original, but with the addition of a quality apple cider and nutmeg for a true fall feel. Using good quality ingredients is just as important in mixology as in cooking food.

Fall cocktail flavors

To make this Apple Sidecar Cocktail even more seasonal, I added leaves of fresh sage to the shaker for an earthy essence. Just a bit of freshly grated nutmeg on top rounds out the warm and earthy flavors to go with the season.

Sidecar cocktail glasses

I like them served in retro 1920’s coupé glasses, this drink is elegant enough to serve when entertaining family, for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner and absolutely ideal for a cozy night in by the fire. Martini glasses can also be used for an extra dash of elegance!

More fall/winter cocktails

Winter doesn’t have to be all about hot chocolate and cocoa. If you’re like me, you love a good hot toddy in the cold weather. Pimm’s (a British liqueur) is mixed with warm orange, caramel and cinnamon to make a Pimm’s Winter Cup (picture below). The cold weather version of the summer Pimm’s Cup.

Brandy sidecar cocktail

If cognac is not your thing, remember that you can always substitute brandy.