Zesty Barefoot Contessa’s Sidecars with Dried Cherries Recipe

Cocktail lovers rejoice as this classic sidecars with dried cherries recipe brings a touch of elegant sophistication to your home bar.

Rich cognac dances with tart dried cherries, creating a beverage that whispers of refined indulgence.

The sidecar cocktail, a timeless favorite, gets a delightful twist with these sweet-tangy dried cherries.

Smooth, balanced flavors blend seamlessly in this exquisite drink that promises to elevate any evening gathering.

Each sip tells a story of carefully selected ingredients and expert mixing techniques.

The vibrant crimson hue and complex taste profile make this cocktail a true conversation starter.

Shake, strain, and savor this extraordinary libation that turns an ordinary moment into something truly memorable.

How to Serve Barefoot Contessa Sidecars with Dried Cherries

• Elevate Cocktail Presentation: Serve the Sidecars in elegant sugar-rimmed glasses for a sophisticated touch that adds a delightful sweet crunch with each sip.
• Enhance Flavor Complexity: Garnish each drink with the marinated cherry skewers, allowing guests to enjoy the boozy, plump cherries as a tasty cocktail companion.
• Create Pairing Magic: Match these Sidecars with rich cheese plates, chocolate desserts, or light appetizers like almond-crusted brie to complement the cocktail's deep Cognac notes.
• Chill for Perfection: Keep glasses and cocktail shaker in the freezer beforehand to ensure an ice-cold drink that maintains its crisp, refreshing character.

Storage Notes for Barefoot Contessa Sidecars with Dried Cherries

• Quick Cocktail Prep: Make cherry marinade and sugar-rimmed glasses up to 4 hours before serving, storing them separately in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
• Smart Ingredient Storage: Keep unopened Cognac and Grand Marnier in a cool, dark pantry for up to 2 years; refrigerate after opening to extend shelf life.
• Advance Beverage Batching: Mix cocktail ingredients (except ice) in a sealed container one day ahead, chilling in the refrigerator to streamline party preparation.
• Cherry Conservation: Store remaining marinated cherries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, perfect for additional cocktails or garnishing desserts.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients for Barefoot Contessa Sidecars with Dried Cherries

• Sugar: Adds elegant, sparkling finish to glass rim for visual appeal.
• Lemon Juice: Creates sticky surface for sugar to adhere perfectly.

• Cognac: Rich, smooth French brandy providing deep warmth and sophisticated flavor profile.
• Grand Marnier: Citrusy orange liqueur adding bright, complex undertones.
• Lemon Juice: Brings zesty freshness and balances the strong alcohol elements.

• Dried Cherries: Plump, premium fruit that absorbs alcohol and delivers sweet-tart burst.
• Skewers: Allows elegant presentation of marinated cherries as edible cocktail accessory.
• Cherry Marinating Liquid: Concentrates fruity essence to enhance overall drink complexity.

Cocktail Tools for Barefoot Contessa Sidecars with Dried Cherries

• Cocktail Shaker: Essential for mixing and chilling the drink smoothly.
• Highball or Martini Glasses: Perfect for serving your stylish sidecar cocktail.
• Small Skewers: Needed for threading and presenting the marinated cherries.
• Microwave: Quick tool for softening and marinating dried cherries.
• Small Bowl: Useful for combining cherries and Cognac.
• Measuring Oz/Spoon: Helps accurately portion ingredients.
• Strainer: Ensures a clean, smooth pour into glasses.
• Ice: Crucial for chilling and shaking the cocktail.

How to Mix Barefoot Contessa Sidecars with Dried Cherries

Cocktail Creation

• Sugar Rim Magic

Elegantly transform your glass by dipping its edge into fresh lemon juice, then coating with sparkling sugar crystals. Allow the rim to dry naturally, creating a stunning presentation that hints at the deliciousness inside.

• Cherry Infusion

Awaken dried cherries by bathing them in smooth Cognac. A quick microwave warmth helps release deep, rich flavors that will elevate your cocktail experience.

• Liquid Symphony

Combine Cognac, bright citrus notes, and Grand Marnier in a cocktail shaker. Add a whisper of cherry-infused liquid to create a harmonious blend that promises sophistication in every sip.

• Chilled Perfection

Fill your shaker with ice and vigorously shake the mixture until frost forms on the exterior. Strain the liquid into your sugar-rimmed glasses, creating a drink that’s both elegant and refreshing.

• Finishing Touch

Skewer plump, Cognac-soaked cherries and rest them gracefully across your glass. Serve immediately to capture the cocktail’s crisp, cool essence.

Flavor Tips for Barefoot Contessa Sidecars with Dried Cherries

• Master the art of mixing Sidecars with professional-level precision and flavor enhancement.
• Soak dried cherries in Cognac to intensify their richness and create a more complex, deep flavor profile that elevates the entire cocktail experience.
• Create a stunning sugar-rimmed glass by using fresh lemon juice as the adhesive, ensuring the sugar coating is even and adds a delightful sweet-tart crunch with each sip.
• Shake the cocktail vigorously with plenty of ice to achieve the ideal chilled temperature and create a perfectly balanced, silky-smooth texture that makes each drink refreshing.
• Thread marinated cherries onto elegant skewers for a sophisticated presentation that not only looks impressive but also provides a delicious boozy treat to enjoy alongside the cocktail.

Elegant Barefoot Contessa Sidecars with Dried Cherries Recipe

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4.7 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sidecars with dried cherries, a classic cocktail, blend French cognac and citrus with sweet preserved fruit. Ina Garten’s refined recipe delivers elegant complexity that sweeps guests into sophisticated cocktail hour charm.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 oz (177 ml) Cognac (VS, not VSOP)
• 3 oz (89 ml) Grand Marnier liqueur
• 3 oz (89 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
• 1 lemon (juice)
• ¼ cup (50 g) sugar
• ¼ cup (40 g) dried cherries
• Ice

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Instructions

1. Glass Preparation: Delicately moisten glass rims with fresh lemon juice, then coat with granulated sugar, creating a sparkling crystalline edge. Set aside to air dry.
2. Cherry Infusion: Combine dried cherries with Cognac in a microwave-safe container. Heat for 60 seconds, allowing cherries to steep and absorb flavors, then cool completely.
3. Cocktail Mixing: Pour remaining Cognac, lemon juice, Grand Marnier, and cherry marinating liquid into a cocktail shaker. Add high-quality ice cubes, secure lid, and shake vigorously for 30 seconds to chill and blend ingredients thoroughly.
4. Serving and Garnishing: Strain cocktail into prepared sugar-rimmed glasses, selecting between straight up or over additional ice. Thread 3-4 marinated cherries onto cocktail skewers and place across glasses for an elegant presentation.

Notes

• Prep Rim Perfectly: Use fresh lemon juice for better sugar adhesion and ensure even coating by rotating glass at a 45-degree angle while rimming.
• Boost Cherry Flavor: Microwaving dried cherries with Cognac helps intensify the fruit’s natural sweetness and release deeper aromatic notes.
• Shake with Precision: Vigorously shake cocktail for exactly 30 seconds to create optimal temperature and proper ingredient integration without over-diluting.
• Garnish Strategically: Choose cocktail skewers that complement glass size and use cherries as both visual decoration and flavor enhancement tool.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Drinks, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 5 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 31 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg