Sidecar can set passions racing

There’s none of us going to be going out tomorrow night for romantic dinners for obvious reasons. Mind you, I’m not sure the lockdown is relevant. It must be a couple of decades at least since I hit the town on Valentine’s Day.

It’s a bit like New Year’s Eve - a big night that quite often doesn’t live up to expectations. It’s a realisation that dawns on you pretty quickly too, even in your 20s dare I say it.

Of course, people in their 20s these days sadly face the curse of online dating that actually is 100% online. How utterly depressing. Sometimes it’s nice to be a bit older.

Either way, if you are planning a nice dinner and maybe even have Monday booked off, a nice cocktail is one way to make it a night in that’s a wee bit of an occasion.

I like cocktails to be simple and I like them to be made with things I have in the house that don’t end up as the sticky bottle at the back of the cupboard that only comes out once a year.

When it comes to the base spirit I’ll use all the big ones – gin, tequila, whiskey. Not much of a vodka fan, but there’s time yet.

Another spirit I’ll take a nip at occasionally is Cognac. But do I ever use it in a cocktail?

Well, no. Years back I took the bold step of disregarding a big taboo and started

BRANDY WELL drinking it on the rocks. It’s surprisingly nice chilled. So why no cocktails?! I just don’t know, but since I’ve a couple of bottles of Hennessy in the house I’m well pleased to have finally gotten around to making what is a truly classic cocktail, indeed an iconic cocktail, born in the Prohibition era.

The Sidecar is a drink of simple proportions and perfect balance. What’s interesting about is the fact it transforms Cognac into a very refreshing aperitif. Basically it transforms an after-dinner drink into a pre-dinner appetiser.

There’s warming sweetness from the Cognac, a rich, uplifting, perfumed orange from

Cointreau and an electrifying lift from fresh lemon juice.

It is a thing of wonder, a combination with no need for reinvention.

And, a bit like a Margarita, you’re looking at really simple proportions.

Adjust as you like, but if you get your fractions right here the spirit of St Valentine won’t be the only one warming your heart on Sunday.

Cognac