Friday, January 18, 2013

Strawberry Sidecar

It’s time for cocktail Friday with the hubs, ya’ll! And can I just say… OH. EM. GEE! I thought the only cocktail I would ever love would be a margarita… well, now, (thanks to the hubs), the sidecar is a new found favorite! If you are a margarita lover, do yourself a favor and TRY THIS!

Strawberry Sidecar | My Life as a Mrs

What’s up, foodies and Happy New Year! It’s great to be back with you behind the bar and this week’s cocktail will bring you and your friends a smile and an “oh yeah!”

You guys all know by know that Tina LOVES a margarita. It doesn’t matter what flavor I kick out, if it has tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice and simple syrup, she’s ALL about it. While I love the marg almost as much as her, I get bored making them all the time and this week and wanted to branch out but still get the bride’s nod of libation approval.

Enter the sidecar.

Strawberry Sidecar | My Life as a Mrs

A beautifully simple cocktail from around the time of Prohibition (that dates back to the 1920’s folks). While the exact origin of the sidecar cannot be verified (at least by Wikipedia), by looking at the ingredients my guess in France.

The traditional sidecar consists of the following:

  • Cognac
  • Grand Mariner
  • Lemon Juice

Strawberry Sidecar | My Life as a Mrs

Why do I think it was the French would invented Β this? It’s because cognac is actually just brandy made in France and Grand Mariner is actually just orange liqueur made in France (like champagne is just sparkling wine made in France). Seeing the trend? As far as lemons, well they are just universally awesome for cocktails.

Anyway, enough history. Let’s get back on track. Why do I think Tina would like a sidecar? Well, it’s basically a brandy margarita with lemon juice instead of lime. Following my thinking? Yep.

Now, let’s take a good drink to the next level with a crowd pleasing strawberry puree. Ah, this little sipper is WAY tasty; it’s sweet and tangy and refreshingly delightful. Also, it’s a perfect alternative for any die hard margarita lover.

Happy New Year and thanks for checking in and toasting to a great weekend and 2013.

CHEERS!

Strawberry Sidecar | My Life as a Mrs

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Strawberry Sidecar

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

If you love margaritas... you should definitely give this cocktail a shot!

Ingredients:

For the Strawberry Puree:
2 cups fresh strawberries*
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
1 tbs lemon

*Strawberries are in season here in Florida, but if they aren't where you are, it's perfectly fine to substitute frozen strawberries - just be sure you get the plain frozen strawberries (NOT the kind in the syrup).

For the Strawberry Sidecar:
2 ounces brandy
1 ounce lemon juice
1 ounce triple sec (orange liquoer)
1 ounce strawberry puree

Directions:

For the Strawberry Puree:
Add ingredients to a non-stick saucepan and bring to boil (being sure to stir so the sugar doesn't burn), reduce heat and simmer for 3-5 minutes (until berries are softening). Then turn the heat off and allow mixture to cool. Carefully, pour into a blender (or food processor) and blend until smooth. Set aside until ready to use.

For the Strawberry Sidecar:
Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice. Close lid and shake vigorously until combined (a few seconds will do the trick!). You can either serve this straight up (no ice) in a martini glass or on the rocks (over ice) in an old fashioned glass.

Strawberry Sidecar | My Life as a Mrs

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25 Responses to “Strawberry Sidecar”

  1. 1

    tracy {pale yellow} — January 18, 2013 @ 6:17 pm

    I love margaritas, and am always looking for a new cocktail to try. I just need some brandy and I’ll be ready to roll!

  2. 2

    Katie @ Blonde Ambition — January 18, 2013 @ 6:57 pm

    This sounds so bright and delicious! I love any drink with some citrus, and I bet the strawberry adds a nice sweet touch too. Nicely done, Hubs!

  3. 3

    Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) — January 18, 2013 @ 8:11 pm

    This looks so refreshing! I definitely want to try it!

  4. 4

    Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. — January 18, 2013 @ 11:18 pm

    I have never had a sidecar, but have always wondered what was in it. I love this strawberry version!

  5. 5

    Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers — January 19, 2013 @ 7:16 am

    Oh my! I love strawberry drinks and the sidecar part of it, yes please! So perfect!!

  6. 6

    Sandra — January 19, 2013 @ 8:49 am

    Hooray for cocktail Friday, glad that it is back again.

  7. 7

    kelley {mountain mama cooks} — January 19, 2013 @ 9:46 am

    Cheers, this looks amazing! Have a great weekend!

  8. 8

    Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking — January 20, 2013 @ 11:18 am

    What a beautiful and refreshing concoction. This drink makes me long for summer! I also want to add some muddled mint or basil and see how that works into it.

  9. 9

    Lane @ Supper for a Steal — January 20, 2013 @ 4:04 pm

    This sounds so refreshing. Definitely will be giving it a try soon!

  10. 10

    Jessica — January 21, 2013 @ 2:06 pm

    I wish I had everything to make these! Your bar must look mighty impressive! πŸ™‚

    • Tina replied: — January 23rd, 2013 @ 10:36 am

      You should probably come visit & check it out for yourself! πŸ˜‰

  11. 11

    Allie {Urban Feast} — January 21, 2013 @ 5:56 pm

    I never realised sidecars were such sweet cocktails, this recipe looks delicious!

  12. 12

    claire @ the realistic nutritionist — January 22, 2013 @ 9:42 am

    I just love the name of this! πŸ™‚

  13. 13

    Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking — January 22, 2013 @ 5:11 pm

    I need a dose of summer, and this looks like it could help me escape for a little while! SUCH a great cocktail recipe!

  14. 14

    Megan {Country Cleaver} — January 22, 2013 @ 10:03 pm

    I can totally get behind this – I’ll take a VERY tall glass of this. awesome!!

  15. 15

    katie — January 23, 2013 @ 2:07 pm

    This drink looks fab. I love that you make your own Strawberry Puree for this and you don’t turn to bottled or jarred syrupy-guck!

  16. 16

    Sues — January 24, 2013 @ 12:52 pm

    This is beautiful! And is SO making me crave spring πŸ™‚

  17. 17

    Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking — January 24, 2013 @ 2:20 pm

    This looks SO yummy and refreshing! I can practically taste the warm weather just by looking at these lovely drinks. Thanks for sharing!

  18. 18

    Tina — January 24, 2013 @ 3:32 pm

    This looks delicious! I will definitely be trying this recipe at my next party!

  19. 19

    aubree — January 26, 2013 @ 8:16 pm

    i just made this drink after eating your shish tawook and garlic alioi. it is soooo tasty! i don’t even like brandy, but this is majorly delicious and different. i love it- thanks!

  20. 20

    Liz Yoon — January 27, 2013 @ 2:11 am

    Looks very yummy and easy to make! Thanks for the recipe

    πŸ™‚ Liz @ rusticpeach.com

  21. 21

    ginnette — January 30, 2013 @ 4:33 am

    Hey Tina and “The Hubs”, I will make this for the weekend, yummy yummy. I think you should make a post and show us your mini bar!! Xoxo

  22. 22

    50 (or 51) Valentine’s Day Recipes » Pennies on a Platter — February 7, 2013 @ 12:53 pm

    […] Red Wine and Cherry Spritzer by Rachel Cooks Sparkling Italian Lemonade by Pennies on a Platter Strawberry Sidecar by My Life as a Mrs Strawberry Sweetheart’s Cocoa by Two Peas and Their […]

  23. 23

    Womanista Food + Drink: Spring Cocktails | Womanista — April 29, 2013 @ 11:15 am

    […] The Strawberry Sidecar (I got this fab recipe and photos from the blog “My Life as a Mrs” – it’s such a fun & fabulous blog!) […]

  24. 24

    50 (or 51) Valentine’s Day Recipes — June 16, 2017 @ 7:06 am

    […] Red Wine and Cherry Spritzer by Rachel Cooks Sparkling Italian Lemonade by Pennies on a Platter Strawberry Sidecar by My Life as a Mrs Strawberry Sweetheart’s Cocoa by Two Peas and Their […]

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