Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Between the Sheets Cocktail

Between the Sheets Cocktail

This flirty variant of the Sidecar is perfect for Valentine’s Day

Interesting name, no? But perfect for Valentine’s Day. And this drink tastes even better than it sounds.

Kiss kiss. Sip sip.




Between the Sheets Cocktail

Recipe: Between the Sheets Cocktail

The Sidecar Cocktail is one of our favorite drinks. So of course we like Between the Sheets, which is, well, the Sidecar’s kissing cousin.

The Sidecar is made with cognac (or brandy), plus Cointreau and lemon juice. Between the Sheets adds rum to the mix for an extra fillip of flavor. Having two base spirits in a drink is a bit unusual (most cocktails contain just one). But cognac and rum work well together in this drink, so we’re not complaining.

This recipe takes about 5 minutes to prepare, and serves one.

Ingredients
  • ¾ ounce cognac or brandy
  • ¾ ounce rum, white or amber (see Notes)
  • ¾ ounce Cointreau
  • ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • lemon twist for garnish (optional)
Procedure
  1. Add all ingredients (except garnish) to a cocktail shaker half filled with ice. Shake until the contents are nicely chilled (about 20 seconds).
  2. Strain into a cocktail glass or coupe, preferably one that’s been chilled. Add a lemon twist for garnish, if desired, and serve.
Between the Sheets Cocktail

Notes
  • The original version of this drink used very little lemon juice – a just dash or two. We prefer quite a bit more, so we use a 3:3:3:2 ratio of cognac, rum, and Cointreau to lemon juice (3 parts of each spirit to 2 parts lemon juice).
  • There are a couple alternate recipes worth your consideration. For instance, you can make this drink using a 2:2:2:1 ratio if you want less lemon juice.
  • Or you can try the version that David Embury suggests in his Fine Art of Mixing Drinks: 3 parts each brandy and rum (amber rum), 2 parts lime (or lemon) juice, 1 part Cointreau. Embury’s drinks are notoriously dry, so if this isn’t sweet enough for you, double the amount of Cointreau. BTW, lime juice is a fun twist, but we prefer lemon juice in this drink.
  • White or amber rum? We’ve made this drink with both, and both are good. Whichever you select, choose a fairly light-bodied rum. As you might suspect, the flavor of amber rum is a bit more prominent than that of white rum.
  • Cognac or brandy? Either will work, and you don’t need to spend big bucks on a fine sipping cognac. Something that costs $15 to $20 a bottle works well in cocktails. If in doubt, ask the friendly folks at your local liquor emporium what they recommend for making cocktails.
  • This drink may (or may not) have been created in Paris by Harry MacElhone, of Harry’s Bar fame. Accounts of its origin differ, as is the case with so many cocktails.
Between the Sheets Cocktail

Heart Shaped

“Smooth drink!” said Mrs. Kitchen Riffs. “And I think we’ve hit on the perfect formula.”

“Yup, we did a lot of research on this one,” I said. “We must have made almost a dozen different versions.”

“That’s a lot of time between the sheets,” said Mrs K R.

“You’re flirting with danger with a comment like that,” I said.

“Speaking of danger, the name of this drink was considered rather risqué when it was invented in the 1920s or 30s,” said Mrs K R.

“Sort of like the 1980s,” I said. “When people were inventing drinks with names like Sex on the Beach.”

“That must be uncomfortable,” said Mrs K R, batting her eyes. “All that sand.”

OK, probably time to turn off the lights. Happy Valentine’s Day!

You may also enjoy reading about:
The Sidecar Cocktail
The Hanky Panky Cocktail
The Vieux Carré Cocktail
The Sazerac Cocktail
The Bridal Cocktail
The Bee's Knees Cocktail
Or check out the index for more

74 comments:

Angie's Recipes said...

Now I wish I had a sip! Gorgeous shots, John.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Angie, bet you couldn't stop at one sip! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Mae Travels said...

Very intriguing combination of ingredients you have there! We are working on a bottle of cognac from Delamain that's too good to mix with anything, I'm afraid. Maybe we should get a cheaper one as well, and also some rum and Cointreau.

have fun wherever it ends you up... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Pam said...

What a beauty! Sounds so TASTY!!!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mae, really good cognac would be awesome in this, but kind of a waste, too. :-) So get some cheaper stuff! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, this really is tasty -- one of our new favorites. Thanks for the comment.

Tricia Buice said...

I am absolutely making this! I have all the ingredients - yeah, woohoo! Lovely color and I bet the flavor is yummy. Thanks for sharing :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Tricia, you'll like. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

LOL, the name sold me! What a beautiful cocktail---perfect for Valentine's Day, but sippable ANY day!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Liz, fun name, isn't it? And a really good-tasting drink! Thanks for the comment.

Vicki Bensinger said...

This sounds wonderful. I love the name, it’s si fitting for Valentines Day! Wishing you and the Mrs a happy one.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Vicki, isn't the name a hoot? :-) Thanks for the comment.

Velva said...

Absolutely delightful!!! Perfect for Valentine's Day!

Velva

Deb|EastofEdenCooking said...

Your post has brought a smile! On this busy day I couldn't ask for more. Except, well, perhaps, maybe, pass a cocktail. Let's do some taste testing before V Day!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Velva, it's a fun -- and tasty! -- drink. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Deb, taste testing is important! We do lots of it around here. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Abbe@This is How I Cook said...

Whoa...that Mrs. Riffs! Without a doubt this would put me between the sheets! But I'm sure I'd be sound asleep!

Savor The Best-Pat said...

John, you do create the most beautiful and refreshing-looking sippers! I love the little narratives between you and Mrs. KR...Happy Valentine's Day! <3

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Abbe, we did that testing over several weeks. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pat, we really enjoy writing those endings. :-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy V Day!

Evelyne CulturEatz said...

I knew it, you were jealous of my sexy recipes and needed to make your own ;-) Job accomplished. I would love a sip for sure of this cocktail

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Evelyne, this would definitely fit in with your series of recipes! :D Thanks for the comment.

GiGi Eats Celebrities said...

People have to be very careful with this drink. They might wind up between the sheets with someone they didn't mean to get between the sheets with, LOL!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi GiGi, maybe this drink should come with a warning label! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Denise Browning said...

Both the name and the whole set up is quite sexy. :) Happy V-Day!

Dahn @savorthebest said...

I love the name of this cocktail! Your right, it is perfect for Valentines day.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Denise, cool stuff, huh? :-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy V Day!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dahn, it's a fun name! And a wonderful drink. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Emma - Bake Then Eat said...

Delicious! A perfect valentines treat ;)

Shashi at SavorySpin said...

Hahaha - you and Mrs KR need to have a TV show or something! I always get a good chuckle from your post-recipe banter! By the way, I've never heard of this drink before - so love the name of it! And, it sounds pretty delish too!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Emma, it is, it is! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Shashi, this is a drink you need to get to know! Terrific flavor. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Gerlinde de Broekert said...

You made me smile early while reading this post and all the comments. Now I have to wait for the appropriate hour to have this drink. Cheers!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Gerlinde, we try for smiles. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Barbara | Creative Culinary said...

So flirtatious and you're right...I can imagine it was quite the to-do over that name back in the day. I've not heard of this cocktail but I love the mix of ingredients so I'll put it on my 'must try' list stat...thanks John!

Laura Dembowski said...

The flavors in this sound so interesting with the brandy and rum. Very balanced.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Barb, you'll like this! Not too popular today, but a very worthy drink. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Laura, brandy and rum is a wonderful combo of flavors! Good stuff. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Rocquie said...

This is such a fun and romantic post. Thank you, Rocquie

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Rocquie, good drink, too. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

John, I love your drink photos! And this sounds like a drink I'd like. And I just happen to always have those ingredients on hand.

Claudia said...

It's been decades since I have had.... errr.... a sidecar. I don't remember the lemon. Curiouser and curiouser. In the winter, we do cocktails on Friday eves. But maybe I'll save this for Valentine's Day. Delightful post.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Jean, sounds like you need to make one of these. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Claudia, we usually do a cocktail on Friday evenings, too. That's when we test most of the ones we do for the blog! You do need to try this -- it's really good. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Agness of Run Agness Run said...

Excellent cocktail recipe which I will definitely give a try, John. Thanks to your detailed and awesome cocktail recipes, I might want to become a bartender. :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Agness, I never was a bartender, but I certainly see the appeal in it! Fun job. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Chef Mimi said...

Dammit! Another drink that is too strong for me! Such beautiful photos.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mimi, you can serve this on-the-rocks if you want to soften its flavor. Or just make half a drink if the amount of booze (which is a lot, I agree) is too much. It's got a wonderful flavor -- worth a try. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen said...

I don't even care how it tastes, I just love the name! What a fun cocktail!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kelsie, fortunately the flavor is as good as the name. :-) Thanks for the comment.

mjskit said...

When I saw the name of the cocktail, I did have a little giggle. :) Perfect cocktail for Valentine's Day! It reminds me that I'm out of brandy. Happy Valentine's day to you two!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi MJ, out of brandy?! How can that be? :D Happy Valentine's Day, and thanks for the comment.

Frank said...

Sounds like you have a fun household, there, John! Happy Valentine's Day!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Frank, we do, we do. :-) Thanks for the comment.

sherry from sherrys pickings said...

this cocktail sounds delicious. love your photos too. cheers sherry

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Sherry, it's really a good one. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Eva Taylor said...

What a beautiful cocktail, I just love the lemon curl, so beautiful!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Eva, garnish is half of why cocktails are attractive! Well, that and their great color. :-) Thanks for the comment.

All That I'm Eating said...

What a great name for a cocktail; cocktails on Valentine's sounds like a great idea t me!

Marcelle said...

Love the color of this drink, John! With the lemon juice and Cointreau it sounds refreshing. Gorgeous pictures!:)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Caroline, great name, wonderful flavor -- can't go wrong! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Marcelle, isn't the color great? Almost as good as its flavor. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Healthy World Cuisine said...

That name certainly caught our attention! This cocktail sounds so refreshing. I do not believe we have ever tried this before so that needs to change. Thanks for the inspiration and thanks to Ms. Riff for the fun ending to each of your posts. We look forward to that every time we read your posts. Take Care

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Bobbi, the name is definitely memorable. In a good way, of course. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Food Gal said...

Love the name! So fun and a little naughty. And of course, impossible to forget. ;)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Carolyn, yup, once you know this cocktail, it's one you'll always know. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness said...

I love the name of this one. Sounds delicious. Perfect for Valentine's Day.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dawn, yup, this has Valentine's Day written all over it. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today said...

I could sip it a whole day today. Only partly because it is a Valentine's Day :D

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Marta, should we declare every day Valentine's Day? :-) Thanks for the comment.

Raymund said...

This looks like a fun drink to end the night on a Valentines day

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Raymund, or begin it. :D Thanks for the comment.

Jeff the Chef said...

I've heard of this cocktail many times, but have never tried one. I'm eager to.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Jeff, it's good stuff. :-) Thanks for the comment.