Apple Cider Sidecar (Inspired by Charm)

Cheers to fall with this Apple Cider Sidecar! Made with crisp apple cider and smooth cognac, this is the perfect cocktail recipe for this time of year as days get shorter and evenings get cooler.

It's Friday, which can only mean one thing: the weekend is here, and it's time for a cocktail. Today, I'm shaking up an Apple Cider Sidecar. A seasonal take on the classic, this is a cocktail I'm sure you're going to love.

Apple Cider Sidecar:

It wasn't until the past couple of years that I developed a taste for bourbon and cognac. As a matter of fact, I started to appreciate bourbon after I created this Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail (which, along with this Cranberry Old Fashioned, is now my go-to drink during the holiday season.)

I have learned that bourbon and cognac are totally different things. Bourbon is a whiskey made from distilled grains, while cognac is a specific type of brandy made from distilled grapes. In the past, I often incorrectly clumped them in the same category. Maybe my confusion was due to their colors or the fact that they are aged in barrels. Who knows.

All of that is sort of irrelevant, other than as a reminder to myself that it's good to try new things. Something that I disliked since forever is now in my like column!

I made these Apple Cider Sidecars a few weeks ago when I set my fall tablescape. I promised to share the recipe so I'm happy to finally be posting it.

How to Make an Apple Cider Sidecar:

This cocktail comes together so easily. Fresh apple cider, bourbon (I used Hennessy.), Cointreau, and a splash of lemon juice get added to a cocktail shaker with ice.

After a vigorous shaking, the cocktail is strained into a coupe glass and garnished with a lemon peel and cherry.

To make my garnish, I used a peeler to get a nice-size lemon peel. I also used Luxardo Orginal Maraschino Cherries. I highly recommend these (though they are a tad more expensive) or a brandied cherry rather than the more common bright red maraschino cherries. I think this cocktail deserves something luxe and special.

Talk about the perfect Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving cocktail, right?

For serving, I used these beautiful gold rimmed coupe glasses I picked up at Crate & Barrel. They're a new favorite at my house. (My cocktail shaker is from there as well.)

With drinks poured, all that's left to do is sit back and enjoy.

Want more fall cocktail recipes? You'll love these too:

I'm confident you'll find that this Apple Cider Sidecar is a cocktail to savor. The recipe is below. Give it a try this fall and let me know what you think.

Apple Cider Sidecar

Made with crisp apple cider and smooth cognac, this is the perfect cocktail recipe for this time of year as days get shorter and evenings get cooler.

2 ounces apple cider
2 ounces cognac
1 ounce Cointreau
Splash fresh lemon juice
Lemon peel and Luxardo cherry ((or brandied cherry))

Add all of the ingredients (except for the garnish) to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake vigorously.
Strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon peel and a cherry.

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