The Sidecar is a deceptively simple mix of Cognac, orange liqueur and lemon juice. The lemon adds zing, the Cognac adds depth, and the orange liqueur brings a complex smoky dried fruit quality. There's a lot going on in this pairing, as the chili pepper smoke of the cheese intermingles with the multitude of flavours in the cocktail.
The citrus flavours temper the heat, which in turn makes the cocktail taste smoother and sweeter. It's a bit of alchemy, really.