Between the Sheets recipe
A sultry sibling to the Sidecar, marrying cognac and rum with bright citrus.
Method: Shaken ·
Glass: Coupe glass ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Intermediate ·
Family: The Sidecar Family
Ingredients
- 30 ml Cognac (VSOP preferred)
- 30 ml White rum (Light Cuban-style rum)
- 15 ml Triple sec (Cointreau)
- 15 ml Fresh lemon juice (Strained)
How to make a Between the Sheets
- Add cognac, white rum, triple sec, and fresh lemon juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake vigorously for 10 to 12 seconds until chilled.
- Double strain into a chilled coupe glass.
- Express the oils from a lemon twist over the surface and discard or garnish.
Garnish
Lemon twist
Pro tip
Chilling your glassware thoroughly ensures the rich cognac and rum aromatics stay crisp from first sip to last.
History of the Between the Sheets
Created around 1921, the Between the Sheets is widely attributed to Harry MacElhone at Harry's New York Bar in Paris, though concurrent claims link its genesis to the Berkeley Hotel in London. It emerged as a playful riff on the Sidecar, introducing light rum to the classic brandy and citrus base.
Flavour profile
Citrusy, Rich, Balanced, Complex
Variations
- Between the Blankets — Substitute aged dark rum for white rum to impart deeper molasses and oak notes.
- Between the Sheets Deluxe — Add a barspoon of rich simple syrup and float a dash of Angostura bitters.
- Between the Vines — Swap cognac for pisco and add a splash of elderflower liqueur.
Practise making the Between the Sheets in the free Virtual Bar game.