The Sidecar

So what did people do during Prohibition when they weren't supposed to imbibe? They devised cocktails to mask the paint-thinner quality of illegal liquor. Per Wikipedia, the exact origin of the sidecar is unclear, but it is thought to have been invented around the end of World War I in either London or Paris. The drink was directly named for the motorcycle attachment, which was very commonly used at the time. The Ritz Hotel in Paris claims to have originated the drink.

Serves two:

• 4 oz Cognac VSOP

• 2 oz Grand Marnier

• 1-1/3 oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed

• To garnish, a twist of orange

• To garnish a sugar rim (optional)

• Ice

In a chilled glass, dip the rim of a coupe into a saucer filled with a little sugar. Combine the Cognac, Grand Marnier, and lemon juice into a shaker. Add a handful of ice and shake like hell. Strain into a glass and garnish with a twist of orange peel.