A Tribe Called Quest x Sidecar
Sidecar Cocktail Lounge continues its tradition of turning iconic albums into world-class cocktail menus with a tribute to one of hip-hop’s most important records: A Tribe Called Quest’s The Low End Theory (1991).
The album is about groove, clarity, and soulful coolness — the same ethos that defines this menu. Just as Tribe stripped hip-hop back to bass and rhythm, these cocktails are elegant, minimal, and dialed-in. No glitter, no smoke, no gimmicks. Just drinks built right, with a deep respect for tradition and a playful nod to innovation.
Why The Low End Theory Works as a Cocktail Menu
Timeless and smooth — These flavors groove across generations, much like Tribe’s music.
Cocktail nerd heaven — Minimalist riffs on classics, with sharp edges and soulful depth.
Jazz connection — The album’s heavy jazz influence echoes through complex stirred drinks and improvisational flavors.
The Book Club
We’re teaming up with our pals at Pearl’s Books to host a book club on “Go Ahead In The Rain: Notes to a Tribe Called Quest” by Hanif Abdurraqib. Robin Bruce, (writer, visual artist, musician, & contemplative artist) will be leading the discussion. Don’t miss your chance to hold your spot in the club!
The Tracks (Cocktails)
JAZZ (WE’VE GOT)
Sazerac Rye, J Rieger KC Whiskey, J Rieger Caffe Amaro, Benedictine, Demerara, Peychard’s & Orange Bitters
VIBES: Bold Whiskey, Coffee Bittersweet, Orange Spark
A Riff on the Sazerac
The Sazerac, New Orleans’ gift to cocktail history, meets Kansas City swing. We use spirits from two jazz capitals: New Orleans, where the drink was born, and Kansas City, home to J. Rieger Distillery. Like Tribe’s fusion of bebop and hip-hop, this drink balances heritage with groove. It’s sharp, soulful, and undeniably smooth.
CHECK THE RHIME
Rittenhouse Rye, Amaro Montenegro, Peach Infused Cocchi di Torino, Giffard Abricot du Roussillon, Torched Rosemary
VIBES: Rye Heat, Stone Fruit Sweet, Herbal Smoke
A Peach-tea Boulevardier
“Check The Rhime” is a call-and-response anthem, and this cocktail plays the same game. We swap Campari for Amaro Montenegro, soften the bitterness, and lean into a peach-infused vermouth with a touch of apricot liqueur. The result? A cocktail that tastes like boozy Southern peach tea — easy to sip, but full of depth.
EXCURSIONS (CLARIFIED)
Plantation 3 Star Rum, Italicus Bergamotto Liqueur, Ginger Liqueur, Hibiscus-Coconut Cordial, Lime, Velvet Falernum, Coconut Foam
VIBES: Tropical Hibiscus, Coconut Cream, Citrus Glow
A Tropical Rum Sour with a Twist
Just as Q-Tip opens the album with “time is a vessel for knowledge,” this drink shows how technique transforms flavor. A clarified sour built with rum, bergamot, ginger, hibiscus, and coconut, it arrives crystal clear and pink, topped with a cloud of coconut foam. A tropical dessert in a glass — one that keeps people coming back for another round.
VIBES & STUFF
Bozal Mezcal Espadin, Cacao Nib Campari, Pineapple-Jalapeño Cordial, Topo Chico
VIBES: Smoky Mezcal, Spicy Pineapple, Bitter Cacao
A Spicy Mezcal Highball
This track is about everyday life and energy, and the cocktail matches that rhythm: smoky mezcal, cacao-infused Campari, and our house pineapple-jalapeño cordial. Finished with effervescent Topo Chico and a Tajín rim, it’s funky, spicy, and refreshing. Proof that housemade ingredients — almost everything in this drink — make all the difference.
THE BUSINESS
Pierre Ferrand Cognac, Old Grand-Dad 100, Giffard Banane du Bresil, Lemon, Strawberry Vanilla Agave Nectar, Prosecco
VIBES: Cognac Rich, Sparkling Strawberry, Ripe Banana
A Tropical Riff on the Daisy
Classic Daisies were spirit, citrus, and fizz. We took the formula to the tropics with banana liqueur and strawberry-vanilla agave nectar. Topped with prosecco for sparkle and dryness, this drink is celebratory but balanced — just like the playful track it’s named after.
SCENARIO
Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice Gin, Midori, Kota Pandan Liqueur, Lime, Lime Cordial, Topo Chico
VIBES: Electric Melon, Pandan Cream, Citrus Spark, Bubbly Fresh
A Fruity-Pebbles Highball
Tribe’s most explosive posse cut becomes the menu’s most outrageous drink. Built on Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice gin, Midori for color and melon, pandan liqueur for nutty sweetness, lime, and bubbles from Topo Chico, it drinks like grown-up Fruity Pebbles. Garnished with a marshmallow fruity pebble cookie from MiDDLE CHiLD COOKiES, this one always gets a smile.
WTF IS MiDDLE CHiLD COOKiES?
BUGGIN’ OUT [SHOT]
Coconut Campari, Cacao Nib Campari
VIBES: Yo Microphone Check One, Two, What is This?
Campari, Two Ways
We infuse Campari with coconut and cacao nibs, layering sweetness over bitterness. The name nods to the track “Buggin’ Out” and Campari’s history: until 2006, its red color came from crushed cochineal insects. “Campari is Bugs,” as the saying goes — now immortalized in shot form at Sidecar.
“FOR REAL BUGS ONLY!”
VERSES FROM THE ABSTRACT [NA]
Seedlip Notes de Agave (Simcoe Hop Infused), Lyres Italian Orange, Lemon, Blueberry-Cinnamon Orgeat, Egg White
VIBES: Blueberry Bright, Cinnamon Spice, Silky Citrus
A World-Class NA Sour
This isn’t a consolation prize — it’s a headliner. Seedlip Notes de Agave, infused with Simcoe hops, brings grassy, hoppy character. Lyre’s Italian Orange adds bitter complexity, housemade blueberry-cinnamon orgeat gives body, and lemon ties it all together under a frothy egg-white foam. It’s complex, elegant, and every bit as good as the boozy options.
Closing Notes
A Tribe Called Quest’s The Low End Theory has always been about balance — jazz and rap, groove and intellect, Q-Tip and Phife Dawg. At Sidecar, we’ve translated that balance into cocktails: classic forms reimagined with modern ingredients, soulful grooves poured into a glass.
Whether you’re here for the deep cuts or just want something that makes you nod your head and smile, this menu proves that at Sidecar, cocktails are music you can taste.
~ See You at the Bar ~
