Join Merlet and professional bartenders from across the U.S. as they try their hand at creating the perfect Sidecar cocktail. This is the fifth year Merlet has tested the mixing skills of North America and it is time for a new Sidecar Cocktail champion to be crowned. This year's contest features four regional qualifications. They have already mixed it up in San Francisco (July 12) and Atlanta (July 18). Next up on is Chicago and Jersey City (September 6 and 12). The finals will take place in New York City (September 18).

Here are the rules:

Each bartender must submit a twist on the classic Sidecar recipe online, based on Merlet Brothers Blend Cognac and Merlet Trois Citrus. To further showcase each bartender's skills, a second drink recipe must be submitted using any of the Merlet Liqueurs. From these two drinks, bartenders will be selected and present them during the qualification rounds. The best of each round will move on to compete in New York City for the Sidecar title.

Things will heat up in the final round. On the day of the finals a third drink will be added into the mix. In addition to the Sidecar and the bartender's new creation, participants will be asked to make a classic cognac cocktail that will be drawn randomly. Each bartender will have 10 minutes to execute and present all three drinks. 

So, what’s at stake in this competition? The winner of the contest will receive a trip to France to visit the Merlet distillery and Cognac region and then head to Paris for two days.

Now is the time to submit Sidecar recipes. The deadline was June 28 for West Coast and South qualifications and August 23 for Midwest and East Qualifications. The chosen finalists will compete in New York for the Sidecar crown September 18.