The Cocktail Chronicles: Rum Sidecar

Slightly sweet and tart, this Rum Sidecar is a 3-ingredient drink that’s great for sipping. While sidecars can be made with various alcohols, this one is made using a golden (or amber) rum. Makes 1 drink, but the recipe can easily be doubled or tripled.

Love rum? You’ve got to try Dark and Stormy (Rum Moscow Mule) and Mojito Pitcher!

The Cocktail Chronicles: Rum Sidecar // The Speckled Palate

When I think of rum, the question, “But why is all the rum gone?” immediately pops into my head.

For this week’s Cocktail Chronicles recipe, we’re making a rum cocktail.

Why I love this recipe:

If you’re a rum lover and connoisseur, this is a great recipe for you.

Not only does it call for golden rum (which is sometimes referred to as amber rum), but it only needs two other ingredients… which you might already have on hand.

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    When we took our first sips of this cocktail, my husband declared, “It’s got a little tang to it.” And it sure does.

    It’s also got some bitterness, too, and is not too sweet. (After all, we’re not adding sugar to this classic cocktail.)

    The drink is pretty light, too, so it’s easy for sipping any time or for any occasion.

    Other cocktails to try: Lemon Drop Martini | Cranberry Mule | Peach Margarita | Gin Gin Mule | Princess Violette Cocktail | Strawberry French Monaco Drink

    Need drink inspiration? Head on over to my Cocktail Recipe Index for more ideas.

    The Cocktail Chronicles: Rum Sidecar // The Speckled Palate

    What you need to make this recipe:

    The Speckled Palate participates in affiliate programs. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Please refer to my disclosure page for more information about these affiliate programs.

    In addition to these tools, you’re going to need a few ingredients, too. Three, to be exact:

    • Golden rum—also known as amber rum, this aged rum has a slightly sweet, rich flavor. The rum is aged in wooden casks, which contribute to its flavor.
    • Cointreau—this is my go-to orange liqueur, though you can use another orange liqueur like triple sec or Grand Marnier if you have those on hand instead
    • Lemon juice—always juice your own so it’s fresh! The shelf-stable stuff you purchase at the store is not the same and will yield a less flavorful cocktail.

    Please note that you can swap out the amber rum for another type of rum, like dark rum or even spiced rum, to have some more caramel-y and spiced notes in this cocktail, which would be delicious. I do not recommend substituting white rum for it, though, since that has a milder taste.

    How to make a Rum Sidecar

    Add ice to a cocktail shaker. Pour the rum, Cointreau and lemon juice directly into the shaker.

    Shake well, until very chilled.

    Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

    Garnish with a lemon wedge or lemon twist.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is a sidecar cocktail?

    A sidecar cocktail recipe is a simple drink that is classically made with brandy or cognac, orange liqueur and lemon juice.

    Is a sidecar a girly drink?

    I don’t think any drink is a “girly” drink, nor should this Rum Sidecar be considered one. If you enjoy the ingredients of it, you should definitely give it a try!

    What alcohol is in a sidecar?

    Sidecars can be made with all different types of alcohol. This sidecar drink recipe involves golden rum, though you can find sidecars made with gin, bourbon, brandy and everything in between.

    Quick tips and tricks to making your own Rum Sidecar:

    • Change up the flavor by using a different type of rum. This recipe calls for golden rum, but you could easily swap that with dark rum or even spiced rum for deeper, spicier flavors.
    • Make a batch. Since this 3-ingredient cocktail is pretty easy to pour and mix, you can easily make a double or triple batch of it to serve friends.
    A close up of a cocktail glass holding a golden drink with a lemon twist

    Rum Sidecar

    Erin Parker, The Speckled Palate
    Slightly sweet and tart, this Rum Sidecar is a 3-ingredient drink that's great for sipping. While sidecars can be made with various alcohols, this one is made using a golden (or amber) rum.
    4.43 from 14 votes
    Servings 1 cocktail
    Calories 110 kcal
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 oz. gold or amber rum
    • ½ oz. Cointreau or another orange liqueur
    • ½ oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice

    As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Instructions
     

    • Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.
    • Shake all ingredients well, until very chilled.
    • Strain into a cocktail glass.
    • Garnish with a lemon wedge or peel.

    Notes

    This recipe has been adapted from Stuart Walton's The Ultimate Book of Cocktails over the years and tweaked to our tastebuds.
    Using a different type of rum will add in different flavors to this cocktail. Dark rum is delicious here because it adds some more intense rum flavors without overwhelming the Cointreau and lemon. I do not recommend using a light rum, just because the flavor is really light by comparison.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 drinkCalories: 110kcalCarbohydrates: 4gSodium: 4mgSugar: 4g
    Keyword cocktails, drink recipe, drink recipe with rum, drink with rum, easy drink recipe, easy rum cocktail, rum cocktail, rum cocktails, rum drink, summer cocktail, summer drink, summer drink recipe, summer drinks
    Course Cocktails
    Cuisine American
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Other Cocktail Chronicles drink recipes: Southern Champagne / Bloody Mary / Mustique / Kingston / Tom Collins / Cosmopolitan / Cutty Sark on the Rocks / Blizzard Bourbon Cranberry Cocktail

    A woman with dark curly hair wearing a black tank top in front of a white wall

    About the Author:

    Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her

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    2 Comments

    1. This actually sounds like a refreshing drink! I enjoy lemon juice in my cocktails because of the tart taste, I feel like it kicks the alcohols BUTT and sometimes all i can taste is the lemon instead of the liquor, which in turn could end up being a bad thing 😛 I have endless bottles of rum that we brought back from Cuba ($3 a bottle) so this cocktail can definitely be made 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

      1. I’m like you and also thoroughly enjoy lemon juice in cocktails, as long as it’s not too strong or tart for my liking. 🙂 I agree that it really does add a little something and mask that alcohol taste sometimes. Umm, that’s incredible that you have so many bottles of rum at your home, and I’ll be interested to hear what you think if y’all do make this drink!

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