Video: How To Make A Burnt Lemon Sidecar Cocktail

Though we didn't stray from the classic formula of Cointreau meets lemon juice meets cognac in this sidecar cocktail, we did take some liberties with our garnish. Before getting dropped into the drink, we warm and char a lemon peel lightly with a flame. The warming of the zest helps to intensify the oil's release when we squeeze the peel over the glass. The sugared rim provides the ideal balance to the puckery drink.

Run a lemon wedge lightly around the rim of a cocktail glass then dip in sugar. Set aside.

Combine equal parts Cointreau, lemon juice and cognac. Add ice and stir well. Strain into the sugared cocktail glass. Using a lighter or match, run a flame along the zest side of a lemon peel garnish. Burn until just warm and a light char begins to appear on the peel. Squeeze the warm peel over the drink to release the citrus oils. Drop the peel into the drink to finish.

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