Winter-2022

The Sidecar is built upon cognac and Cointreau, to which is added lemon juice and originally simple syrup (but over time has changed to a sugar rim).The origin story of this drink is a bit murky as to whether it was first made at Harry’s New York Bar or the Hemingway Bar at the Ritz, both based in Paris, France. It is said to have been named after the sidecar of a motorcycle ridden by a U.S. Army Captain from New Orleans. Regardless, the drink thankfully continues to be widely offered and appreciated, but not all are made the same. Recently my lady and I enjoyed what is per- haps the best Sidecar we have ever had… twice. So blown away were we that I searched out the bartender to inquire about the recipe. Frances, at the Monterey Peninsula Country Club at Pebble Beach, held her cards close, only giving up the standard ingredients.Yet, it proved to me that while the ingredient amounts may be the same, it ultimately is the quality of the alcohols and, I would argue, quantities used. To this day, it remains the best we have ever had, but there is a hurdle before you can get your hands on one, you must either be a member of the club or a guest. So, where can you more easily find one for your taste buds to explore? While you can always ask for one, there are currently three locations on the peninsula that have a Sidecar on the menu. They include Bud’s at La Playa Hotel in Carmel (they refer to it as the “Platitude”),Terry’s Lounge at the Cypress Inn, also in Carmel, and it can also be found at the Monterey Peninsula’s only speakeasy, Savvy Bar in Monterey—just make sure you get the code word! The French 75 is built upon gin along with lemon juice and simple syrup. However, what really sets it apart is the splash of champagne added on top. As with the Sidecar, it traces its origins to Harry’s New York Bar in Paris. Harry MacElhone, the Scottish born bartender who worked there until he purchased the joint in 186 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 2 Available at Savvy Bar in Monterey, the Mary Pickford is a mix of white rum, maraschino liqueur, pineapple juice and grenadine. The top five, in order of what are arguably the best to least well known are: the Sidecar, the French 75, the Bees Knees, the Southside and the Mary Pickford.