Get your mind out of the gutter! The Between the Sheets Cocktail is a sophisticated sipper that you can order at a fancy bar or craft at home with just a handful of ingredients. Follow our easy recipe if you prefer the latter option.
The Between the Sheets cocktail caught our eye for two reasons.
First, there’s no denying that this cocktail’s moniker demands attention. We thirsted to know what was in such a provocatively named drink. Knowing those ingredients led us to our second reason – cognac.
We’re always looking for ways to multi-purpose liquor. We’d previously bought a bottle of cognac to craft Vieux Carré cocktails and later used it to craft Brandy Alexanders. The Between the Sheets cocktail became our third cognac cocktail crafted with the same bottle.
True Confession
We don’t just craft cocktails with cognac. Sometimes we sip it on the rocks.
What Is the Between The Sheets Cocktail?
The Between the Sheets cocktail is a four-ingredient cocktail that’s easily crafted with cognac, rum, orange liqueur and fresh lemon juice. But don’t be deceived by this cocktail’s playful name and short ingredient list.
It’s a sophisticated sipper that packs a wallop. In fact, you’ll soon be sleeping under the sheets (with a companion or not) if you drink one too many of this particular potent potable.
History Of The Between The Sheets Cocktail
As is often the case with cocktail origins, the history of the Between the Sheets cocktail is a bit of a mystery. In this drink’s case, there are three potential origin contenders.
The most probable origin story credits the cocktail’s creation to Harry MacElhone, a Scottish bartender who achieved fame by publishing Harry’s ABC of MixingCocktails and owning Harry’s New York Bar in Paris. His impressive repertoire includes the Bloody Mary, Old Pal, Sidecar and White Lady cocktails.
If MacElhone didn’t invent the Between the Sheets cocktail, then it’s likely that its origin traces to The Berkeley in London. This possible origin story dates the cocktail back to 1921, a decade earlier than the MacElhone version.
However, the third and least likely origin story is the one that tickles our fancy. Since this version involves French brothels and prostitutes, it’s an appropriately juicy start for a cocktail named after bed linen.
Ingredients
Our Between the Sheets cocktail recipe has a short ingredient list that includes three liquors and a lemon. You may even have the following ingredients at home:
Some Between the Sheets recipes call for a garnish of orange peel. However, we purposely garnish our Between the Sheets cocktail with a lemon twist. It’s a more sustainable approach considering that the recipe calls for fresh lemon juice either way.
Unlike the citrus peel, the three liquors in this recipe aren’t negotiable. If you don’t use cognac, rum and orange liqueur, then you’re not crafting a Between the Sheets cocktail.
These are the specific liquors that we use in our recipe:
Rum
For the white rum, we used Bacardi Carta Blanca since that’s what we typically have in our liquor cabinet. Distilled in Puerto Rico, this popular rum has a 37.5% ABV.
Discover our favorite rum cocktails as well as our favorite French cocktails.
Cognac
For the cognac, we use Courvoisier V.S. cognac with a 40% ABV. This twice-distilled, barrel-aged French brandy is great for sipping when we don’t use it to craft cocktails. It’s also a relatively affordable cognac choice.
Cointreau
For the orange liqueur, we use Cointreau. Cointreau is our go-to orange liqueur for cocktail recipes that call for orange liqueur or triple sec as well as for some that don’t. We like Cointreau’s balanced flavor. Made in France, it has a 40% ABV.
Discover our favorite Cointreau cocktails.
How To Craft A Between The Sheets Cocktail
Measure each of the four liquid ingredients and pour each directly into a shaker. We use a Japanese jigger to ensure accurate measurements and make clean pours. We also like to use a Boston shaker to avoid fuss and muss.
Buy a Japanese jigger from Amazon if you need a jigger or want an inexpensive upgrade.
The next step is to add ice to the shaker and vigorously shake for about 20 second until the the liquids are chilled and combined.
The final step is to strain the cocktail into a martini or coupe glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
Variations
Your secret is safe with us if you want to take this recipe beyond the sheets. If so, we recommend starting with the following variations:
Discover 10 essential bar tools for the home mixologist.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Between the Sheets cocktail is a four-ingredient cocktail crafted with cognac, rum, orange liqueur and lemon juice.
The Between the Sheet cocktail’s history is mystery though it was probably invented at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris.
Rum, Cognac, Orange Liqueur, Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice, Ice Cubes (for shaking) and Lemon Peel (garnish)
The Between the Sheets cocktail is shaken, not stirred.
We like to serve this cocktail in a coupe glass but you could use a small martini glass instead.
Did you craft this cocktail? If so, please rate the recipe below.
Between the Sheets Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ounce rum
- 1 ounce cognac
- 1 ounce orange liqueur
- ¼ ounce lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- lemon peel (garnish)
- ice cubes (for shaking)
Instructions
- Combine rum, cognac, orange liqueur and lemon juice in a shaker.
- Add several ice cubes and shake for 20 seconds until the liquids are mixed and chilled.
- Strain into a coupe glass.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
Pro Tips
- You can use a small martini glass instead of a coupe glass.
Estimated Nutrition
Thirsty For More Rum Cocktails?
About the Authors
Daryl and Mindi Hirsch
Saveur Magazine’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on the 2foodtrippers website. Since launching the site in 2012, they’ve traveled to over 40 countries in their quest to bring readers a unique taste of the world.
Original Publication Date: November 18, 2022