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    Home » Recipes

    Published: Mar 9, 2022 ·Updated: Mar 10, 2022 by Sabra · Leave a Comment

    Irish Whiskey Sidecar | St. Patrick's Day Cocktail

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    two images of an irish sidecar with text overaly
    a gold sugar rimmed martini glass filled with a green cocktail made with Irish whiskey

    This delicious twist on the classic sidecar is the perfect cocktail to celebrate St. Patricks Day. Made with Irish whiskey, Blue Curacao, and orange juice this whiskey sidecar is a stunner!

    A green sidecar cocktail made with Irish whiskey and blue curacao in a gold sugar rimmed martini glass

    This Mom's Menu is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. This post may be sponsored or contain affiliate links but all opinions are my own. I may earn money from purchases made through the links shared here (at no additional cost to you)

    Sidecars are a delicious vintage cocktail. They are traditionally made with cognac, cointreau, and lemon juice but with a few simple swaps this cocktail becomes a delicious St. Patrick's Day staple!

    This whiskey sidecar is great served before or after a meal, or along with your favorite appetizers. If you are looking for other St. Patrick's Day meals be sure to consider my recipe for low carb Dublin Coddle!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients and Substitutions
    • Instructions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • FAQs
    • Other St. Patrick's Day Cocktails
    • Top tip
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Pin this Post
    • 💬 Reviews

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    ingredients for an Irish whiskey sidecar, including: Jameson whiskey, blue curacao, orange juice, golden sugar, and cherries.
    • Irish Whiskey such as Jameson or Teeling - Classic sidecars are made with Cognac or Brandy and you could certainly use either of those here.
    • Blue Curacao - To give this cocktail it's gorgeous emeral green hue, I swapped the traditional cointreau or triple sec with blue curacao. If you don't mind losing the green hue, you can use either of those options instead.
    • Orange Juice is used in place of the traditional lemon juice. This makes the cocktail sweeter that the original and also contributes to the green color. If you prefer, you can replace some or all of the orange juice with lemon or even lime juice.
    • Sugar and Orange Wedge this is only necessary if you want to sugar the rim of your glass. I used golden colored sugar which I think really made this cocktail beautiful.
    • Ice
    • Orange Twist and/or Maraschino Cherry - These are optional garnishes. Learn how to make an orange twist here!

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    This cocktail is SO easy to make. If you want to sugar the rim of your glass, then you are going to do that before you mix the cocktail.

    Simply place a thin layer of sugar on a small plate. Then, rub the inside of an orange wedge around the rim of cocktail glass.

    Dip the rim in the sugar until it is coated. Set the glass aside while you prepare the rest of the cocktail.

    a coup glass being dipped in golden sugar to coat the rim.

    Next, simply add the whisky, blue curacao, orange juice, and a handful of ice to a cocktail shaker. Secure the lid and shake it until the liquid is chilled.

    ingredients for an irish whiskey sidecar in a cocktail shaker with ice.

    Strain the liquid into the prepared glass and discard the ice.

    a green cocktail being poured from a cocktail shaker into a coupe glass.

    Garnish your whiskey sidecar with an orange twist and a marachino cherry if desired and enjoy!

    Hint: Just before serving sprinkle a little golden sugar over the cocktail. This adds a beautiful sparkle to the drink that is sure to wow!

    an overhead image of a green sidecar garnished with gold sugar, orange twist, and a maraschino cherry

    Variations

    • Make it sweeter - if you find this cocktail too strong or not sweet enough you can add a ½ to 1 teaspoon of simple syrup.
    • Make it sparkling - add a splash of seltzer or lemon-lime soda

    If you are looking for low or no sugar cocktails, check out my recipe for a low carb hurricane or a sugar free mint julep!

    Equipment

    cocktail making tools including a cocktail shaker, strainer, jigger, and coupe glass

    Mixing up cocktails is so easy to do when you have the right equipment. Luckily you don't need anything fancy either. To make this cocktail, you will need the following:

    • Cocktail shaker
    • Cocktail strainer - Many cocktail shakers have strainers built into the lid. Be sure to check yours before you buy a strainer.
    • Small plate for the sugar rim
    • A cocktail glass - Sidecars are traditionally served in coupe or martini glasses, but any cocktail glass will work.
    • A jigger or measuring cup with ounces

    Storage

    Many people don't realize that you can make most cocktails, including this one in advance! You can mix as many as you need, then store in a sealed container in the fridge until you are ready to serve.

    FAQs

    Why is the drink called a sidecar?

    The exact origins of the sidecar are somewhat fuzzy, but from what we know the cocktail was made popular in the 1920s and it is believed that it is named 'sidecar' because an American Navy captain who often ordered them rode in a motorcycle sidecar.

    What alcohol is in a classic sidecar?

    Sidecars are sour cocktails traditionally made with cognac or brandy, Cointreau or triple sec, and lemon juice. Today, there are many variations of the classic and you can often find them made with gin, rum, or whiskey.

    What other cocktails can I make with Irish Whiskey?

    You can use Irish whiskey in any cocktail that calls for whiskey. Here are some good ideas to get you started: Jameson Old Fashioned, Irish Coffee, or a Jameson Whiskey Sour.

    What other cocktails can I make with Blue Curacao?

    Blue curacao is an orange liqueur. Because of the bright blue color and orange flavor, blue curacao is often used in tropical drinks. Here are some great options: Midnight Kiss, Blue Margarita, or Blue Hawaii.

    Other St. Patrick's Day Cocktails

    Don't like green beer, but do you still want to celebrate? You are in luck with plenty of St. Patrick's Day-themed cocktails to pick from you will surely find something you like! Here are a few suggestions:

    • The Irish Sour
    • Luck of the Irish Cocktail
    • Fuzzy Leprechaun Cocktail

    Top tip

    Use golden-colored sugar to rim the glass, then just before serving sprinkle a little over the drink to make it really beautiful and festive!

    📖 Recipe

    three martini glasses filled with a sidecar made from whiskey, blue curacao, and orange juice.

    Whiskey Sidecar | St. Patrick's Day Cocktail

    Sabra - This Mom's Menu
    This delicious twist on the classic sidecar is the perfect cocktail to celebrate St. Patricks Day. Made with Irish whiskey, Blue Curacao, and orange juice this whiskey sidecar is a stunner!
    4.67 from 3 reviewers
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Servings 1 cocktail
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins

    Equipment

    • Cocktail Shaker
    • Cocktail Strainer
    • Cocktail Glass
    • Small Plate optional, for sugar rim
    • Jigger or measuring cup with ounces

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 oz Irish Whiskey
    • 1 oz Blue Curacao
    • 1 oz Orange Juice
    • Sugar and Orange Wedge optional, for rim
    • Handfull Ice
    • Orange Twist and/or Maraschino Cherry optional, for garnish

    Instructions
     

    • Optional Sugar Rim: Rub an orange wedge around the rim of a cocktail glass. Dip the rim into a plate of sugar to coat the rim. Set the glass aside while you prepare the cocktail
      Sugar and Orange Wedge
    • Place the whiskey, blue curacao, orange juice, and a handful of ice into a cocktail shaker. Put the lid on and shake until the liquid is chilled.
      2 oz Irish Whiskey, 1 oz Blue Curacao, 1 oz Orange Juice, Handfull Ice
    • Strain the liquid into the prepared glass and discard the ice.
    • If desired, garnish with an orange twist and/or Maraschino cherries
      Orange Twist and/or Maraschino Cherry

    Be sure to read the entire post for tips, tricks, and help troubleshooting.

    The nutrition information listed here is only an estimate and is simply provided as a courtesy. It nor any other information within this post should constitute medical or nutritional advice. Be sure to read all packaging and ingredient labels for potential allergens. Optional ingredients are not included unless otherwise specified.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 CocktailCalories: 225kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 57mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 57IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 3mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @thismomsmenu or tag #thismomsmenu

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    a gold sugar rimmed martini glass filled with a green cocktail made with Irish whiskey

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    Hi! I am Sabra and I'm the face behind This Mom's Menu. I live just outside of Louisville Kentucky with my husband and four kids. Here at This Mom's Menu, you can expect to find family-friendly, healthy recipes plus articles about what is helping me get through my daily to-do list with a little sanity to spare! My favorite things right now are fresh flowers, eggs, and re-runs of The Office ...

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