Black Flannel Academy

Sidecar

Brandy · Cognac · Lemon · Orange · Sour · Tart & refreshing
Sidecar cocktail photograph
Photo: Sidecar (cocktail).jpg — Arnaud 25 · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized for display; photo remains under its stated license.

Cognac, orange liqueur and lemon create a brandy daisy whose success depends on the liqueur’s sweetness and strength.

IBA published specification · 1 reference serve.

Glassware

Cocktail glass

Technique

Shake

Ice

None in serving glass

Garnish

None specified

Preparation effort

Moderate

Ingredients & measurements

Ingredient mL US fl oz Source measure / qualification
Cognac 50 1.69 50 ml Cognac
Triple Sec 20 0.68 20 ml Triple Sec
Fresh Lemon Juice 20 0.68 20 ml Fresh Lemon Juice

Converted equivalents are rounded for display; use one measurement system consistently. Dashes, spoonfuls, fruit counts and unspecified top-ups remain source measures. A blank equivalent does not mean zero.

How to make it

Shake the measured ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass.

Glass: Cocktail glass. Ice: None in serving glass. Garnish: None specified.

Flavor & balance

  • Sour (Acidic) (dominant): Citrus contributes the principal tart edge; fruit ripeness and juice yield affect balance.
  • Sweet (supporting): Sweeteners, fruit or sweetened modifiers round the attack and add weight; product sugar varies.

Assess sweetness, bitterness and tactile drying separately. These flavor expectations are based on recipe structure, not measured tasting scores. Actual products, ice and dilution will change the result.

Preparation & batching

Service complexity: moderate. Batchability: spirit components only.

  • Measure and label the chosen product specification; chill appropriate glassware.
  • Prepare and measure fresh fruit components for the service plan; do not assume a fruit count guarantees a juice volume.

Finish chilling, dilution and garnish at service. Trial the actual serving method before approving a batch. Workload is an editorial assessment; no labor timing or storage validation is claimed.

Spirit & ingredient choices

Style Role Evidence level Qualification
S040 — Cognac base documented Named ingredient fits this style family; confirm the chosen product identity.
S058 — Citrus Liqueur supporting documented Named ingredient fits this style family; confirm the chosen product identity.

Recipe notes & variations

For a Black Flannel variation, change one component at a time and record the selected product, proof, sweetener concentration and dilution. Compare it with this reference before naming or publishing the variation.

Sources & further reading

  • International Bartenders Association — checked 2026-09-18. Recipe identity and published ingredient specification; editorial sensory and workload assessments are not source tasting results.

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