Episode 131: Between the Sheets

Mar 16

Ep. 131 Between the Sheets: A Cocktail Worth the Scandal

Welcome to Season 8 episode 131 of The Art of Drinking with Join Jules and Your Favorite Uncle

In this episode of The Art of Drinking, Uncle Brad and Jules dive into the intriguing world of the Between the Sheets cocktail, a bold and slightly scandalous Prohibition-era drink that blends cognac, rum, triple sec, and fresh lemon juice. Often described as a variation of the Sidecar, this elegant cocktail balances citrus, orange liqueur, and aged spirits into a drink that’s both bright and complex.

Uncle Brad walks listeners through the classic Between the Sheets recipe, while exploring several fascinating origin stories behind the cocktail’s cheeky name. Like many drinks from the early 20th century, the Between the Sheets carries a bit of mystery—whether it was born in Paris cocktail bars or during the roaring nightlife of the Jazz Age.

Jules then adds her own tropical twist to the 1930s classic, layering sun-soaked flavors onto the drink’s sophisticated base and showing how a historic cocktail can easily evolve into something fresh and modern.

Whether you’re curious about Prohibition-era cocktails, looking to master the Between the Sheets cocktail recipe, or simply love discovering vintage drinks with colorful histories, this episode blends cocktail history, technique, and creative riffs.

In this episode:

How to make a classic Between the Sheets cocktail
The drink’s possible Prohibition-era origins
Why it’s considered a Sidecar variation
Jules’ tropical riff on the classic
Tips for balancing cognac, rum, and citrus in cocktails

Perfect for fans of classic cocktails, cognac drinks, rum cocktails, and vintage Prohibition-era recipes.

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Click here for the recipes this episode!

The History of the Between the Sheets Cocktail

The Between the Sheets cocktail dates back to the early 20th century and is most commonly associated with the cocktail culture of the 1930s. The drink is essentially a riff on the classic Sidecar, adding white rum to the familiar combination of cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice for extra complexity.

One of the most widely cited origin stories credits the cocktail to Harry MacElhone, the legendary bartender behind Harry's New York Bar in Paris. MacElhone’s bar was a hotspot for American expatriates during the Prohibition era, and many classic cocktails were either invented or popularized there.

Another theory suggests the drink was created in London as a playful variation on the Sidecar, with the suggestive name meant to add a bit of risqué humor to cocktail menus of the time.

Regardless of its exact origin, the Between the Sheets became a staple of Jazz Age cocktail culture, celebrated for its balance of citrus brightness, orange liqueur sweetness, and layered spirits. Today it remains a favorite among bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts looking to explore vintage cognac cocktails with a touch of history and intrigue.

This weeks tip section will be dedicated to answering YOUR questions