Happy Hour with Ina

Photo credit: img.foodnetwork.com

Two hipsters sat down at the bar next to us.  Happy hour draws them even on the outskirts of the cities.  

"Hey, order that new drink we just discovered," Mr. Hipster suggested to his date.  "What is it called?  A Sidebar?"

"You mean Sidecar," Ms. Hipster corrected him.  

Our bartender smirked and asked if the Hipsters remembered what was in the drink.

"Yeah... let me think.." Ms. Hipster paused.  She looked at Mr. Hipster and they answered together, "Brandy and sour!"  Mr. Hipster then told our bartender that he and Ms. Hipster were responsible for bringing the Sidecar back into popularity.

Our bartender placed a brandy-sour in front of Ms. Hipster and she allowed Mr. Hipster a sip through the straw.  "Delicious!" he exclaimed.

In 2003 a friend spent several weeks in the hospital and together we watched endless hours of the Food Channel.  The Barefoot Contessa, a.k.a. Ina Garten, was a particular favorite because of her calm demeanor, her generosity and love toward her husband, and her no-nonsense but  festive recipes. Ina prepared a garden party for friends that included a cocktail of Cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice which she garnished with Maraschinos.  That was my introduction to Sidecars, and soon I was ordering them at shiny Happy Hours and in dive bars alike.

With the recent TMZ hubbub and fabrication about Ina's supposed snubbing of an ill child's Make-A-Wish dream, I thought it fitting to pay tribute to her today.  Because of her, I can correctly list the essential components of a decent Sidecar to my bartender.

Toast to Ina tonight and begin your weekend with true happiness.

Sidecar

1-1/2 ounces Cognac or good brandy

3/4 ounce Cointreau

3/4 ounce lemon juice

Shake ingredients with lots of ice and strain into martini glasses rimmed with lemon juice and sugar.  Garnish with Maraschino cherry or lemon peel.