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.

An elegant coupé glass with an apple cocktail

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.

A cocktail viewed from overhead garnished with a sage leaf

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.

2 glass mugs of Pimm's Winter Cup in snow

Brandy sidecar cocktail

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

Yield: 2

Apple Sidecar Cocktail

An apple sidecar cocktail with nutmeg

This apple sidecar is a seasonal and delicious twist on a cocktail classic with delicious flavors of orange, apple, sage and nutmeg.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

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

  1. To a shaker filled with ice add the cognac, orange liqueur, lemon juice, apple cider and sage leaves. Shake for 10 seconds.
  2. Strain into chilled glasses, grate a little nutmeg and float a sage leaf for garnish.

Nutrition Information

Yield

2

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 222Sodium 2mgCarbohydrates 10g