How many calories in a sidecar drink?

Answered by Paul Bowser

As an expert sommelier and brewer, I can provide you with a detailed answer to your question about the calorie content in a Sidecar drink. The Sidecar is a classic cocktail that combines , orange , and fresh lemon to create a delicious and refreshing .

To determine the calorie content of a Sidecar, we need to break down the calorie content of each ingredient. Let's start with the brandy. Brandy is a distilled spirit made from grapes, and it typically has a higher content than or . On average, one ounce (30ml) of brandy contains around 70 calories. So, in a Sidecar, which typically includes 30ml of brandy, you would be consuming approximately 70 calories from the brandy alone.

Next, let's consider the orange liqueur. Orange liqueur is a sweet and flavorful liqueur made from oranges. It adds a citrusy and slightly sweet taste to the Sidecar. One ounce (30ml) of orange liqueur contains around 95 calories. Therefore, in a Sidecar with 30ml of orange liqueur, you would be consuming approximately 95 calories from the orange liqueur.

Lastly, let's look at the fresh lemon juice. Lemon juice is a tangy and acidic ingredient that balances the sweetness of the brandy and orange liqueur in the Sidecar. While lemon juice itself is low in calories, it is important to note that the calorie content may vary depending on the amount used. On average, half a lemon yields approximately 6 calories of fresh lemon juice. Therefore, in a Sidecar that uses half a lemon to extract the juice, you would be consuming approximately 6 calories from the lemon juice.

To calculate the total calorie content of a Sidecar, we can add up the calories from each ingredient. In this case, it would be 70 calories from brandy, 95 calories from orange liqueur, and 6 calories from fresh lemon juice. This adds up to a total of approximately 171 calories per serving of Sidecar.

It's important to note that these calorie calculations are approximate and can vary depending on the specific brand of ingredients used and the measurements used in the cocktail. Additionally, if any additional ingredients or garnishes are added to the Sidecar, such as sugar syrup or a sugared rim, the calorie content may increase further.

A serving of Sidecar, made with 30ml of brandy, 30ml of orange liqueur, and half a lemon's worth of fresh lemon juice, would contain approximately 171 calories. However, it's always a good idea to enjoy alcoholic beverages in moderation and be mindful of your overall calorie intake. Cheers!