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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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