Kentucky Sidecar Tangerine Cocktail
This Kentucky sidecar tangerine cocktail was originally published in 2010. It’s an oldie but goodie! 
Kentucky SideCar recipe
After reaching a triple dozen fruit trees in the garden, it’s hard to pick a favorite. So many wonderful fruits and ensuing cocktails (among other things) have delighted the senses. Yet there is one tree which brings particular pride to the WORC household. Our Algerian Tangerine tree (also known as the Clementine). Upon first planting,the Algerian Tangerine which graces our garden was a scrawny “Charlie Brown” twig. Paltry and sad, we merely hoped for its survival. Then a couple of years ago, it started growing like it was on crack. Most likely it found a decaying underground tentacle from a former landscape behemoth which held root in that corner. It definitely wasn’t the hard packed clay which inspired the tangerine’s growth.
Whatever the reason, our little Charlie Brown became a show-stopper. Throwing out clusters of tangerines as that would make a grapevine weep in jealousy. Citrusy sweet with that perfect tang which only a righteous tangerine can impart. Luckily the tree holds her fruit seemingly forever, allowing us time to eat them at our leisure while the sugar content continues to intensify in the vibrant orange bombs.
Cocktail with Tangerine Juice
Today we pick our morning’sVitamin C from its branches while still having plenty of tangerines to squeeze, shake, and pour into the evening’s cocktails. Although our Margarita & Meyer Lemon Margarita Trees, Sidecar trees, Salty Chihuahua trees, Bellini tree, Screwdriver tree, and Blood Orange can’t-choose-any-one-cocktail trees, all supply us with many exceptional inebriating options, none are as prolific and cocktail vibrant as the tangerine’s precious jewels.
Like with our blood orange trees, it’s hard to choose a favorite cocktail recipe coming from the tangerine tree. Diane has her favorite which she requests for herself and guests when they come over. It is a sweet, luscious, tangy cocktail, heavy on the tangerine juice, however I have my own personal favorite. The Kentucky Sidecar. Another brilliant twist off of the eternal classic, The Sidecar, the Kentucky Sidecar combines a touch of fresh lemon juice, fresh tangerine juice, and a nice little kick of whiskey to form a thoroughbred of a cocktail. Spirited, fiery and beautiful.
Tangerine and Bourbon Cocktail
The combining of bourbon and tangerine is magical. The smooth, smoky fire of the whiskey balances so well with the sweet tang of the tangerine. It is a perfect pairing which doesn’t need to be limited to drinks, but is at its highest form when in a cocktail. At the beginning of May, when the Kentucky Derby rolls around, and if you want an alternative beverage to the Derby classic, the Mint Julep, remember this beautiful cocktail. Until then, “Cheers!”
Todd
Check out our Cocktail Recipes Here and our Complete Whiskey Guide. 
Kentucky Sidecar Tangerine Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces (60ml) fresh Tangerine Juice
- 1/2 ounce (15ml) fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 - 1 1/2 ounces (30-45ml) Bourbon (a nice small-batch bourbon preferred)
- 1/2 ounce (15ml) Simple Syrup *see note 1
- dash of orange bitters
- optional- sugar for rimming glass
Instructions
- Optional- If a sweeter taste is desired, rub the rim of a chilled cocktail glass with a tangerine wedge & sugar the rim.
- Put all ingredients (tangerine juice, lemon juice, bourbon, simple syrup, and orange bitters) into a cocktail shaker with ice, then shake it with passion for 15-20 seconds. Strain into your cocktail glass.
- Garnish if desired - a zest for tangerine is always a nice finish, plus the if you zest over the glass the oils from the tangerine will add additional flavor to the cocktail.
Just made this and it’s quite tasty. Cheers.
Hold the ice! This is a great slow sipper at room temp. The cold keeps the flavors from coming together, making it bitter out of the gate. I say, start mellow, end mellow.
This is my new favorite cocktail. I served this for our NYE party and they were a hit even to a super picky bartender friend. Thanks for posting this recipe!
Fantastic recipe. Thanks for posting it – it’s become my drink of choice.
I keep trying to find things to do with.
I really suggest adding some egg white to give it a great look and fantastic texture. Also, I muddled some blueberries and added them to drink (I should try this with raspberries!) which goes quite nicely. And more bourbon. Can never have enough bourbon.
oh, anything but triple sec. Why ruin a good small batch Bourbon with something as cloying as Triple Sec?
What about Orange Bitters and Cointreau?
Cheers! wb
*sigh* Looks incredible!!!! I totally want one! 🙂
Gotta say…I love all your food photos, but the cocktail shots are the most amazing by far. If you’re ever teaching in the New York area, I’m in!
people always scoff when i combine citrus and bourbon! now i know – i’ve been missing the classy presentation. soon they will all be under my spell. thanks, worc!
The local shop slod sour tangerines. Now with this recipe found, I’m thinking about buying more.
That picture is stunning… and the combination of bourbon and tangerine is fabulous I’m sure!
If you’re looking for something else to do with your freshly picked tangerines (sounds amazing, btw!), check out my post on Tangerine and Grapefruit sorbet! Who knows, maybe try and Tangerine and Bourbon sorbet and let me know how it goes!
http://chaseblackwell.com/tangerine-and-grapefruit-sorbet/
Take care!
Chase- thanks for sharing Chase! that sorbet looks amazing!
Mmm… bourbon makes everything better!!
shutterboo- yesss! burbon is a good thing.
yikes! this is so perfect! i need to make this asap! and i love the idea of cocktail trees. brilliant. really.
Sometimes a photograph can say it all. I have never wanted to taste a sidecar until now. That splash of tangerine and glow of goodness is calling my name. Beautiful. Thanks for the great recipe… Simple, fresh and with a serious kick.
YUM.
Great photo! I love the light highlight in the first photo against the black background.
First of all, spectacular photographs! I enjoy your site so much and most of it is because of the creative, captivating way you capture food and drink. I can almost taste that sweet, tangy sidecar and even get that ache in the jaw and increased salivation just from looking at that picture. There’s not really a second point here, except to say that I am on my way to the store to pick up a few clementines to recreate this (although the citrus here most likely pales in comparison to the well tended trees in your garden). Thanks for the wonderful posts and delicious photographs.
Delia- thanks! Clementines should work great too.
What a beautiful photo, and great recipe too!