the best bourbon sidecar

This bourbon sidecar recipe is filled with sweet citrus, rich maple syrup and smooth bourbon. It’s mellow, sweet and boozy and served with a fragrant orange sugar rim. 

There’s something about the cooling weather, cozy food, and dark evenings of fall that make me really crave boozy whiskey drinks. I love the warmth and comfort they radiate. In a way, it’s how I unwind, disconnect and savor the welcoming flavors of fall. And that's exactly why we came up with this bourbon sidecar recipe.

It’s a straight-up whiskey based cocktail, sweetened with maple syrup and Grand Marnier and balanced with a fresh squeeze of lemon juice. The rich maple and mellow sweetness of bourbon take this sidecar recipe to the next level and give it all the coziness of autumn.

There are a few things make this bourbon sidecar extra great. For one, it’s super quick and easy to throw together. There are no special syrups, shrubs or infusions involved in this whiskey sidecar so you can make it on a whim. 

The sidecar also uses very common ingredients. Chances are, you already have everything you need to make it. Got bourbon, orange liqueur, maple syrup and a lemon? You’re all set.

watch the video to see how to make this bourbon sidecar:

Located at the bottom of the recipe card!

what does this bourbon sidecar taste like?

The bourbon sidecar is a whiskey based drink that’s filled with sweet citrus flavors, rich maple syrup and smooth bourbon. The alcohol gives it warmth, while the Grand Marnier and maple syrup make it incredibly smooth and rich. Lemon juice adds a splash of acid and freshness to the drink.

In all, it’s a balanced, mellow, sweet and boozy drink served in a coupe with a fragrant orange sugar rim.

what is in a sidecar cocktail?

A sidecar is a strong, smooth, straight-up drink from the Sour family of cocktails. Typically, it’s made with Cognac, Cointreau and lemon juice. The Cointreau (orange liqueur) acts as the only sweetener, while lemon juice balances the cocktail.

But as usual, we love to play around with traditional cocktail recipes and spice them up with our own seasonal touch. We made the following changes:

• swap the Cognac for bourbon to add softness and an array of sweet aromas like caramel, vanilla and toasty oak
• trade Cointreau for Grand Marnier in favor of a richer flavor and more of those aged aromas (vanilla, oak)
• add in a splash of maple syrup for roasty, caramelized flavors and silky texture

These additions are balanced with fresh lemon juice to brighten the bourbon sidecar and keep you coming back for more!

a few tips on this bourbon sidecar recipe:

• Skip the orange sugar rim if you really want to simplify this sidecar recipe. Garnish with an elegant orange twist for the fresh citrus notes and simple flair. 
• If you prefer a lighter drink, skip the coupe and serve it over a big ice cube in a rocks glass. The extra dilution will take the edge off this deliciously boozy bourbon sidecar. 
• You can substitute Cointreau for the Grand Marnier. You’ll get a brighter orange flavor, less vanilla and oak notes, and slightly less sweet drink. Taste and add a touch more Cointreau (about ⅛th oz), if desired, to compensate for lower sugar levels.
• Take it to the next level with a garnish of these homemade brandied cherries!

more whiskey cocktails to try!

honey basil whiskey sour

mezcal negroni

maple old fashioned

blackberry ginger whiskey sour

holiday whiskey punch with cherries and champagne

chai whiskey flip

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