Vixen Cocktail Recipe from Bodega in Lake Charles
A holiday spin on the classic Sidecar brings ginger warmth, minty intrigue and a whisper of chocolate to the award-winning Bodega in Lake Charles
Move over, Rudolph. Bodega in Lake Charles is leading the holiday cocktail lineup with the Vixen, a festive spin on the Sidecar. The cognac-forward cocktail with debatable origins is named after the motorcycle attachment used by its first patrons in Paris and London in the 1920s.
A seductive new iteration, the Vixen trades orange liqueur for spicy ginger liqueur, with a touch of Fernet Branca Menta to layer the cocktail with cool mint, rich herbs and subtle whispers of chocolate.
“It’s our holiday twist on a classic Sidecar,” says Ryan Kennedy, beverage director, partner, sommelier, and owner of the adjoining specialty wine shop Vin Ami.
The sophisticated sipper seems fitting for a restaurant enjoying its own celebratory streak. Renamed Bodega Restaurant and Wine Bar from Bodega Wine Dive in 2024, Bodega has since garnered honors including Wine Spectator 2026 Award of Excellence and local wins for Best Bar, Best Martini, Best Happy Hour and Best Girls’ Night Out.
“We introduced a full Italian menu, tripled the size of the kitchen, changed the vibe and lighting, added live music and started having more fun with the cocktail program,” he says. “We even have an in-house magician who does magic at the tables.”
Now, raise a glass to the season while inspired by the following Vixen recipe.
Add 1¼ ounces La Fayette VSOP Cognac,½ ounce Big O Ginger Liqueur,¼ ounce Fernet Branca Menta,¾ ounce fresh lemon juice and ½ ounce simple syrup to a shaker filled with ice. Shake well, then double strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass. Garnish with 3 cocktail cherries on a pick.
Bodega Restaurant and Wine Bar
3505 Country Club Road, Suite A, Lake Charles
337-564-6989
bodegalc.com
@bodegalakecharles
