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The Between the Sheets cocktail is a rum spin on the classic Sidecar! Starring Cognac and orange liqueur, it’s bright, citrusy, and sassy.
Here’s a bright and tangy drink that’s a little sassy: the Between the Sheets cocktail! A spin on the classic Sidecar, it features rum and Cognac together: something that in Prohibition times was apparently thought to be a little naughty.
I love how the rum adds nuance to this citrusy drink, and it’s a sour cocktail with personality. Of course, if you’ve never had a Sidecar, you might want to make one of those first. Let’s get to mixing!
5 Star Reader Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I added an ounce of Monin huckleberry syrup to sweeten up a bit and it was delicious. Thank you. I have found a new drink.” -Annie
What’s a Between the Sheets Cocktail?
Between the Sheets is a rum cocktail with Cognac, orange liqueur and lemon juice. It’s a spin off on the classic Sidecar, likely invented in the 1930s by a famous bartender (Harry) at his bar in Paris (Harry’s New York Bar). Where did the name “Between the Sheets” come from? Well, there’s no definitive answer, but the name might hint at the effectiveness of the two liquors in the drink!
The Sidecar is the mother of many popular cocktails, including the Margarita. That simple formula of liquor, orange liqueur and citrus spawned all sorts of drinks. The Sidecar uses the formula with Cognac, and the Margarita with tequila. The Between the Sheets simply adds rum to the mix!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This drink is on the list of International Bartender Association’s official cocktails, so a Between the Sheets cocktail is always made of:
- Cognac: Cognac is a French brandy, distilled from wine and aged in oak. I use a mid-shelf VS or VSOP here. The label tells you how long it has been aged: VS (or “3 stars”) is at least 2 years, VSOP at least 4, Napoléon at least 6, XO at least 10.
- White rum. I like using white rum to balance this drink, but aged rum could also work.
- Orange liqueur. I always have a bottle of Cointreau on my bar cart for margaritas, and it’s great here. Read more below.
- Fresh lemon juice. Always squeeze it fresh! Bottled juice has a dull flavor.
How To Make a Between the Sheets Cocktail
There’s not much to a Between the Sheets cocktail: just shake and strain! Here are the basic steps (or jump to the recipe):
- Shake. Pour the brandy, rum, Cointreau and lemon juice and shake it together in a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice cubes. Don’t have one? Use a large jar or glass.
- Strain into a glass. Strain the drink into a cocktail glass. Don’t have a cocktail strainer? Use a fine mesh strainer, or poke holes in the top of a mason jar. Serve with a lemon peel.
Cointreau vs. Triple Sec: Which To Use
Triple Sec is often used in a Between the Sheets cocktail, but my favorite orange liqueur to use is Cointreau. Cointreau has an orange perfume flavor that’s well balanced between bitter and sweet, while Triple Sec can have a more harsh flavor.
If you’re not sure whether you want to buy a bottle, there’s a long list of Cointreau drinks that use it: all of my best Margarita Recipes, Cosmopolitan, White Lady, Mimosa, and more.
Related Drinks to the Between the Sheets
There are lots of related drinks to the Between the Sheets cocktail! Because the Sidecar was so popular, it spawned many riffs. Here are some of the closest relatives:
- Sidecar, Vodka Sidecar or Bourbon Sidecar Each of these drinks pairs liquor with Cointreau and lemon.
- White Lady Gin, Cointreau and lemon, with an egg white foam.
- Classic Daiquiri The classic rum sour! The daiquiri is simply lime juice, simple syrup and rum.
- Cosmopolitan Vodka, cranberry, Cointreau and lime.
Want more brandy drinks or cognac cocktails? Try the Sazerac, Stinger, or French Connection.
When To Serve This Drink
The Between the Sheets cocktail is a classy classic sour that’s delicious as it is versatile. It’s perfect for sipping as a:
- Cocktail hour, especially in fall and winter
- Dinner parties, as a signature drink
- Holidays and New Year’s Eve
Frequently Asked Questions
White rum, Cognac, and orange liqueur, plus fresh lemon juice. Having 2 spirits makes it unique from other sour cocktails.
A Sidecar is Cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon. A Between the Sheets adds white rum for half of the Cognac.
There’s no confirmed origin story. Most explanations tie it to the two full-strength spirits and where the evening might be headed.
That’s the informal name for a Margarita, which is a related drink! It’s the same spirit-liqueur-citrus formula, with tequila and lime.
Between the Sheets Cocktail
The Between the Sheets cocktail is a rum spin on the classic Sidecar! Starring Cognac and orange liqueur, it’s bright, citrusy, and sassy.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) white rum
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) Cognac (VS or VSOP)
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) Cointreau or triple sec
- ¾ ounce (1 ½ tablespoons) fresh lemon juice
- For the garnish: Lemon peel
Instructions
- Add the rum, Cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker. Fill with a handful of ice and shake until very cold.
- Strain the drink into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon peel.
Hi Sonja and Alex,
Looking forward to making this! Can you tell me which white rum you use for this cocktail?
Thanks
Londa
My lemons were a bit sour…I picked them early. I added an ounce of Monin huckleberry syrup to sweeten up a bit and it was delicious. Thank you. I have found a new drink.
I am the only consumer of alcohol in my household. A bottle and a half of real decent cognac takes up space in my liquor cabinet. I enjoy the stuff neat any day of the week but I was looking for some variety. Behold, Between the Sheets. I made a double. I didn’t garnish. I’ll make another tomorrow and include a Luxardo cherry. Damn delicious. Thanks for the recipe.
So glad you enjoyed!