Bourbon Grapefruit Sidecar Cocktail
A refreshing twist on a classic sidecar: smooth bourbon shaken with fresh grapefruit juice, orange liqueur, and a touch of simple syrup. Bright, lightly tart, and perfectly balanced.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger
- Strainer
- Coupe glass
- Citrus juicer
- Small plate
- Bar spoon
- Ice cubes
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon or whiskey
- 1 oz grapefruit juice freshly squeezed
- 0.75 oz orange liqueur triple sec or Cointreau
- 0.25 oz simple syrup or honey syrup
- 2-3 drops bitters optional
- ice cubes for shaking
- grapefruit slice or zest for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a coupe glass in the freezer for a few minutes.
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
- Add bourbon, fresh grapefruit juice, orange liqueur, and simple syrup. Add bitters if using.
- Shake hard for about 15 seconds until the shaker is frosty.
- Strain into the chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with a thin grapefruit slice or a twist of grapefruit zest. Serve immediately.
Notes
Fresh grapefruit juice keeps the flavors bright. Adjust sweetness by tweaking the simple syrup; honey syrup adds a richer note. Optional: rim the glass with sugar and grapefruit zest or add a splash of club soda for a lighter spritz.