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.

Apple Sidecar Cocktail

This apple sidecar is a seasonal and delicious twist on a cocktail classic with delicious flavors of orange, apple, sage and nutmeg.
Ingredients
- 4 ounces cognac
- 2 ounces orange liqueur
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 1 ounce good apple cider
- 2 large sage leaves, plus 2 small for garnish
- Freshly grated nutmeg
Instructions
- To a shaker filled with ice add the cognac, orange liqueur, lemon juice, apple cider and sage leaves. Shake for 10 seconds.
- Strain into chilled glasses, grate a little nutmeg and float a sage leaf for garnish.
Nutrition Information
Yield
2Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 222Sodium 2mgCarbohydrates 10g
10 Comments on “Apple Sidecar Cocktail”
Made this tonight for a nice end of weekend cocktail. Really nice. I’ll definitely try it again.
I’m glad you enjoyed it and have inspired me to make one for myself.
Pingback: Apple sidecar – Culinary Ginger – Tips
This really sounds great. We like whiskey just fine 🙂
I must try this. It sounds fantastic.
Love the flavors in this cocktail! I NEED THIS BOOK 🙂
I have to try this sidecar recipe. I had one in NYC a few years ago and never tried it again. Time to try this one.
What a fabulous new drink idea well in time for Christmas. I can just imagine cosy-ing up with a glass or three of this on Christmas Eve!
This drink look so pretty. Fantastic photo that tells the story. Sounds pretty tasty too!
I am LOVING your spin on a classic sidecar!! This libation is not only gorgeous, the flavors sound seriously delicious! LOVE that you added sage to this! Perfect for this time of year! Cheers and thanks for sharing the YUM!