Apple Brandy Sidecar
A crisp, citrusy cocktail made with apple brandy, orange liqueur, and lemon, finished with a sugared rim.
Because every drink deserves a beautiful moment.
Ingredients
2 oz apple brandy
1 oz Cointreau (or other orange liqueur)
¾ oz fresh lemon juice
Garnish: sugared rim + lemon twist
Instructions
Prepare your glass by rimming it with sugar.
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add apple brandy, Cointreau, and lemon juice.
Shake vigorously until well chilled.
Strain into the prepared coupe glass.
Garnish with a lemon twist.
Notes from the Bar
Apple Brandy Options
Calvados (French apple brandy) gives a dry, refined flavor, while American applejack tends to be bolder and more robust. Both work beautifully—choose based on what’s available or your taste preference.
No Sugar Rim?
If you skip the sugared rim, add a small barspoon of simple syrup to the shaker to balance the citrus.
Orange Liqueur
Cointreau is the classic choice, but Grand Marnier adds richness, and triple sec works as a lighter, budget-friendly option.
Glassware
Traditionally served in a coupe glass, though a Nick & Nora or small martini glass works as well.
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Make It a Date Nite
This cocktail is part of something bigger for us. It's a ritual we return to week after week.
Each week, we create a Date Nite designed around one drink, one thoughtful menu, and the feeling of slowing down together. The kind of night where the table is set with intention, the music hums softly in the background, and the evening unfolds without rushing.
For this Date Nite, we’ve paired a cocktail with a cozy, make-ahead-friendly menu, so you can enjoy the process without spending the whole night in the kitchen. We also include little touches we love like timing notes, a head start option, and a playlist to set the mood. Feel to pair the meal with any of our cocktails.
It’s not about perfection. It’s about presence. And turning an ordinary night at home into something that feels quietly special.
Each Date Nite includes a curated menu, cocktail pairing and a playlist, as well as another thoughtful extras like make-ahead tips, leftover ideas or table talk prompts to carry the night.
Kevin & Kate
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