Sidecar Adventures, Part One

I found interesting the idea of the Sidecar. Cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice. Some say a cocktail glass, some a rocks glass. Several recipes called for a sugared rim. I began to explore.

A common recipe I found in newer sources was one to one to one ratio of brandy or Cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice, and a glass rimmed with sugar and a lemon twist. I skipped the sugar rim and tried it otherwise unaltered. It was too lemon juicy. I can imagine it sweeter, but that wouldn't do it. Older recipes call for a lot less lemon juice, so I went in that direction. After two more cocktails I found that a brandy:Cointreau:lemon-juice ratio of 2:2:1 was a big step in the right direction, but there is more work to be done.