Many Austin residents would tell you that the margarita is the unofficial drink of the city. And, in recent summers, I’ve often turned to the margarita for cool refreshment. This summer, though, I found myself continually ordering the sidecar when out on the town and when my husband was whipping up drinks at home.
The sidecar is a classic cocktail made of cognac, cointreau, and lemon that is served up, martini-style. I’m not surprised I fell in love with the sidecar so easily: it’s very similar to the margarita in that two of its principal ingredients are an orange liqueur and an acidic fruit.
As the weather has slowly started to turn in Central Texas, I’ve been in the mood for a cocktail that feels like a hint of fall. Since I’m not quite ready to switch over to bourbon and all the lovely wintry cocktails that liquor engenders, I decided to create a fall-twist on the sidecar. My concoction is fresh and bright like the classic sidecar, but the addition of apple cider and a Honeycrisp apple garnish give the drink a decidedly fall flair.
la pomme d’automne
1.5 oz. cognac
.5 oz cointreau
.5 oz fresh squeezed lemon
1 oz apple cider (I prefer Martinelli’s)
Honeycrisp apple wedge for garnish
In a cocktail shaker combine first four ingredients.
Fill shaker 3/4 full with crushed ice. Shake vigorously. Pour into stemmed cocktail glass. Slice Honeycrisp apple and garnish glass with small wedge.
Cheers.
Photographs by Ken Simpson of Photo 552