Between the Sheets Cocktail

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PREP TIME 5 min

Cocktail Type

Cognac

Great for

Valentines Day

Difficulty

Easy

Top view of two Between the Sheets cocktails on a wooden table

Add a little ooh la la to your Valentine’s Day this year with the sultry Between the Sheets cocktail. It’s a saucy mix of rum, Cognac, lemon juice, and orange liqueur and it’s devilishly delicious. Shake up a few to start your night and you’re guaranteed to have a good time.  

QUICK TIPS

01

Chill your glasses in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.

02

Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor

03

Twist the lemon peel over the glass to express the oils onto the rim and into the cocktail.  

INGREDIENTS

MAKE FOR

1 Person

1 Oz

30 Ml

1 Parts

1 Oz

30 Ml

1 Parts

0.25 Oz

7.5 Ml

0.25 Parts

Lemon juice
Ice
Lemon twist to garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

01

Pour the rum, Cognac, Grand Marnier, and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker with ice   

02

Shake for 20 seconds to chill then strain into a chilled coupe glass   

03

Garnish with a lemon twist and serve

History of the Between the Sheets cocktail

True to its risqué name, the Between the Sheets Cocktail history is patchy at best. No one is a hundred percent certain of its origins, but there are two theories. They both date back to the 1920s, but in two different countries. Harry’s New York Bar was a famous bar in Paris. In its heyday, Harry MacElhone invented many famous cocktails, including, rumor has it, this one. The second theory is that it originated in London’s Berkeley Hotel and was created by a man called Mr. Polly.

Discover more Prohibition drinks: 12 Prohibition-Era Cocktails.  

Variations   

Like many cocktail greats, the Between the Sheets cocktail recipe has a multitude of tasty riffs. A simple swap of spirit, and you’ve got yourself a whole new drink. Ditch the rum and you’ve got the famous Sidecar. Swap the Cognac and rum with gin then add an egg white, and you’ve got a White Lady. You can even switch the lemon juice to lime then give it a splash of tequila, and it’s a marvelous Margarita. It’s a classic cocktail build that just works brilliantly.    

Looking for more classics? Top Picks from the IBA’s List of Official Cocktails.  

When to serve

Much like the name suggests, the Between the Sheets cocktail is as naughty as it is nice. Serve it at your next cocktail party or shake a few this Valentine’s Day and treat yourself. Serve them extra cold, but sip responsibly because this elegant cocktail packs a solid punch.   

You also might like: The Best Cosmopolitan.