The Sidecar: A cocktail of mystery, intrigue, and stories The Sidecar, a classic cocktail renowned for its timeless appeal and harmonious blend of flavors, has a history shrouded in mystery and intrigue. While the exact origins of this iconic drink remain a matter of debate among cocktail enthusiasts, it emerged in the early 20th century during the vibrancy of the cocktail scene from that time. Harry MacElhone, a skilled bartender at the legendary Harry’s New York Bar in Paris, is attributed to the creation of the Sidecar. The story unfolds in the post-World War I era, around the 1920s, when Paris was a hub of creativity and cultural exchange. According to this version of events, the cocktail earned its name from a loyal customer who frequented the establishment on his motorcycle, accompanied by a sidecar. MacElhone, inspired by this distinctive mode of transportation, crafted a concoction that would later be immortalized in his 1922 book, “Harry’s ABC of Mixing Cocktails.” Another intriguing tale places the birth of the Sidecar at the Ritz Hotel in Paris. As the story goes, an American Army captain, a regular patron during the war, approached the Ritz bar seeking a pre-dinner libation. The bartender, possibly Frank Meier, responded with a creative blend of brandy, orange liqueur, and lemon juice, creating the prototype of the Sidecar. The drink allegedly owes its moniker to the captain’s preferred mode of transport—a motorcycle with an attached sidecar. While the Sidecar’s early history is clouded by the lack of concrete documentation, allowing these stories to coexist as part of the cocktail’s mystique. Regardless of the precise origin, the motorcycle with the attached sidecar seems to be common; the Sidecar quickly gained popularity, finding its way onto the menus of prestigious establishments and captivating the palates of discerning patrons. The classic…