![Once Upon a Paris Bar](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.foodandwine.com/thmb/6Vni3fhFS193W8VBvSHezwUV9TA=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Once-Upon-a-Paris-Bar-FT-RECIPE0323-3dcad65ad71247f6ba76a29dc1c92d21.jpg)
Frederick Hardy II / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christine Keely
A riff on the classic Sidecar, the Once Upon a Paris Bar cocktail is the brainchild of Oisin Kelly, bar manager at The Sidecar in Dublin’s Westbury Hotel. Kelly uses the traditional base ingredients of a sidecar, a citrus-rich cocktail made with orange liqueur and freshly squeezed lemon juice, but adds an extra kick with the addition of Irish whiskey. In this case, Roe & Co whiskey is used for its distinct combination of flavors, including soft spice, hints of vanilla, and honey, which balance out the other ingredients without overpowering — a difficult feat for an Irish whiskey.
The Grand Marnier, lemon juice, and sugar rim make up the classic ingredients of a sidecar, but instead of Cognac, the Irish whiskey gives the drink a bit more body and warmth. The addition of pear juice and simple syrup cuts the acidity that’s so prevalent in a Sidecar, making this take more balanced and well-rounded but still with a nice touch of sour. Pear also brings a subtle earthy flavor which marries with the notes of soft baking spice prevalent in the deftly crafted Irish whiskey.
Kelly’s addition of pear in the Once Upon a Paris Bar also a nod to the story behind Roe & Co, the Irish whiskey of choice for the cocktail. Roe & Co is a contemporary blend of Irish whiskey that draws inspiration from and pays homage to the legacy of George Roe, who was a leader in Dublin’s whiskey industry until his distillery closed in the late 1920s. Two relics of that original distillery remain: a windmill tower and a pear tree, which still flowers to this day.
At the bar, the cocktail is served with a bee pollen rim that adds a nice pop of color and texture. But if you’re making it at home, feel free to skip the rim — the honey simple syrup adds that sweeter note that you’re looking for. We’d advise against a sugar rim in its place because it leans a bit too sweet and you wouldn’t want to overpower the cocktail itself.
Ingredients
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Bee pollen (optional)
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1 1/2 ounces blended Irish whiskey (such as Roe & Co.)
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1 1/4 ounces pear juice (such as Looza)
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3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
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3/4 ounce orange liqueur (such as Cointreau)
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1/3 ounce honey simple syrup (see Note)
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Lemon wheel
Directions
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Rim half of a coupe glass generously with bee pollen, if using, and set glass aside.
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Combine whiskey, pear juice, lemon juice, orange liqueur, and honey simple syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Place lid on shaker; shake until mixture is cold, about 15 seconds.
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Strain into prepared glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Note
For honey simple syrup, combine 1/2 cup hot water and 1/2 cup honey in a small bowl. Stir until honey dissolves, and let cool before using. Leftover syrup can be used in teas, marinades, or desserts.