Much as I like a pink cocktail, I’ll go for a suggestively named drink even more. Note: suggestively named. I don’t know who really orders drinks likethe Slippery Nipple, the Screaming Orgasm, etc – I couldn’t bring myself to.
The Between the Sheets is a Prohibition-era cocktail, possibly invented by Harry McElhone at Harry’s New York Bar, and certainly a child of the Sidecar (cognac, triple sec and lemon juice). I like to think the name was delightfully risqué at the time, and orders for it carried a frisson of naughtiness. Here we replace half of the cognac with light rum, and end up with a slightly more summery version of the original. I even find that the rum dominates here. It’s definitely not the pure magic of a Sidecar, but it’s delicious nonetheless and I’ll always drink any sour you give me.
Recipes vary as to the proportions, but the Serious Eats version (as ever) works for me. I may have even gone a little heavier on the lemon juice… You can definitely play around with it to taste.
3/4 oz cognac
3/4 oz light rum
3/4 oz Cointreau
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
Shake all ingredients over ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a twist of orange.
Whatever your Valentine’s Day is bringing, hope it’s a good one. I’ll leave you with Loki the Corgi dealing with it in his own special way:
I’m totes jealous of that glassware. I agree with you; I’d probably add more lemon juice. Like you, I’m a big fan of sours and prefer them to be more tart than sweet.
Thank you – Ebay’s finest! I spend more time than is healthy browsing on there.
This is my kind’ve drink!!
Sounds like a great recipe, and with a much more ‘orderable’ name than the others you mentioned. I always felt awkward as a barman if anyone asked me for a Screaming Orgasm, it was always greeted with the same lewd jeers and innuendos from the rest of the bar!
Rory,
http://teaandthat.com
Ah you used to be a barman? I never really thought that it must be just as awkward on the other side of the bar!
I did indeed, I would definitely emphasise barman over mixologist though as my cocktail knowledge was a little shaky (just realised that sounds like a terrible play on words).
Yeah it wasn’t too much fun when those drinks were ordered, probably mostly down to the clientele though I think!
This one sounds nice and refreshing, even on a 0-degree day. Always love a classic! Great picture, by the way!
Thank you! It is strangely refreshing – I never expect anything with cognac to come under that category, but it always surprises me!
These look great! Much more tasteful than a Slippery Nipple.
Shameful misuse of Bailey’s – same goes for a Screaming Orgasm.