Change up the classic sidecar recipe with these refreshing and effortless bourbon sidecar cocktails. Jump to recipe.
My three year-old’s world is full of delight. The very changing of the seasons seems to amaze her. I envy her excitement over everyday sightings like stop signs or flowers. My own sense of surprise and wonder has faded somewhat, what with bills, schedules, and all that. But on the train, some of that wonder returns. Hurtling across the Susquehanna, seeing passing cities and industrial decay of all manner, or just catching a fleeting look at a herd of deer, are all quiet joys; little surprises that keep my eyes glued to the train window.
I was on a train to New York, a city I hadn’t visited for two years, when the ding of an email drew my attention from the foggy, choppy Chesapeake Bay. This blog, this blog, is a Saveur Blog Awards finalist! In the category of Most Delicious Food! I was alone there on the train when I got the email and I did the only thing I could – send Brian a series of curse- and emoji-laden texts with hundreds of exclamation points. (Adulthood at its finest.) Needless to say, I was totally delighted. Sometimes I go long stretches wondering if my site is on the right track and getting this kind of news has me over the moon.
If you’d be so kind, head over to Saveur and vote for your favorite blogs (and I hope that includes us). The voting process requires quick registration, and after you can tick off your favorites (it’s a really great list this year, so you’ll find many favorites to endorse.) Then, let’s celebrate.
In fact, let’s celebrate with a drink. Bourbon sidecar cocktails with plenty of lemon are a refreshing way to bridge the still cold temperatures and our anticipation of actual spring weather. They’re also terribly simple, which is exactly what I want in a cocktail, especially when I’m dizzy with excitement. Bourbon sidecars are a slightly more laid back take on the classic Cognac variety. Ours is lemony and bright, and skips the traditional sugared rim. As far as triple secs go, Cointreau has the cleanest flavor, but any variety will work in a pinch.
Finally, this good news caught me a little off guard while on the road. I’m incredibly grateful to my good friends and hosts, Natalie of Golden Calf and photographer (and dapper hand model) Wesley Ham for their respective prop styling and photo assistance. If you’re looking for beautiful things or stunning photography, they’re your people.
Classic sidecar cocktails are even better with bourbon.
- 4 ounces bourbon
- 2 ounces Cointreau
- 2 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 3-inch strips of lemon zest
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Chill two cocktail glasses.
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Fill a shaker with cracked ice. Add bourbon, Cointreau, and lemon juice. Shake assertively for a minute or so.
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Strain into chilled cocktail glasses; garnish with a strip of zest.
Huge congrats! Going over to vote while I wait for my plane…
Thanks ever so much Sandra. So glad I got to see you this weekend! I’m glad I got to share how much your support means to me in person. And here’s hoping we’ll both be in NYC again sometime soon.
Congrats! You are so deserving. A walk with you and that wondrous 3 year old soon, please!
Thank you, friend! Please yes, a walk sounds delightful! Hit me up.
I hope you’ll be drinking a few of these tonight to celebrate!!! Congrats!!!
Awww, thanks so much Brian. You’ve been so supportive of my work over the years, and it means the world to me. Your images, recipes, and food are always a source of inspiration for me.
Congrats, Elizabeth (and Brian!)! (I was also alone while I got the email, and spent an agonizing five minutes pacing around my apartment while I waited for one of the four people I texted to respond.) (:
Looking forward to (hopefully) meeting you in NYC in June!
Gah! Sounds like five intense minutes! I’m so glad you began blogging again, and I think the results speak for themselves! It’s a really an honor to share the category with you. Cannot wait to meet you!
The HUGEST congrats to you guys!!!!!! So so deserved!!! And ditto Carey, I’m so hoping to meet you in June — that would be amazing. Congratulations, and thank you so much for all that you do in inspiring us!
I can’t wait to meet you, Cynthia. And I’m so happy and honored to share the category with you. Hope you’re celebrating!
I will have one of these in your honour tonight!! 😉
Congratulations! And so well deserved. xo
Hear hear, Aimee. Thank you so much!
Cheers!
Indeed!
Congrats! It’s so well deserved!
Awww, thanks Aida! Appreciate you dropping by!
Congratulations lady! So well deserved.
Thanks Sarah. I’m am really happy to see your name on the list, too! You bring such a fresh perspective to all things sweet. (Fingers crossed for a big dip in transcontinental airfares really soon.)
congrats! so well deserved. this has long been one of my favorite blogs. and, I’ll be sure to vote!
Thank you kindly, Lindsay! Yours in one of my favorites, too.
Congrats! And I will totally join you in a festive sidecar. Yay!
I’m so happy that you got nominated Elizabeth and that you’re getting the recognition that you so deserve for all of the great work that you do in this space + how you constantly inspire so many people. Huge congrats!!
yay!! congrats! so happy for you 🙂
Congratulations, Elizabeth!!! I voted. 😀
Hi Elizabeth! Huge congratulations to you guys! This drink looks amazing; bourbon is totally the best way to celebrate good news. I’ve been following your blog for years (too meek to comment), and have always been so inspired by your recipes and photos, I was so happy to see you as a finalist! Congratulations again!
Just searching photos of sidecar online. Yours are fabulous!