Between The Sheets – Cognac, Rum & Triple Sec IBA Classic Sour Cocktail

The Between The Sheets cocktail pairs Cognac and light rum with triple sec and fresh lemon juice for a brisk, citrus-led drink with plenty of character. Cognac brings fruit and oak, rum keeps the base clean, and orange liqueur rounds the edges. Its straightforward proportions also make this classic easy to measure and shake at home.

Background

The exact origin of the Between The Sheets is disputed. Versions were circulating by the late 1920s, including an early gin-and-rum formula, while the Cognac-and-rum build became established around 1930. The drink is closely related to the Sidecar, adding light rum to the familiar combination of Cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon.

What You’ll Need

Ingredients

• Cognac – provides the rich fruit, oak, and warmth at the base of the drink.
• Light rum – adds clean sugarcane character without overpowering the Cognac.
• Triple sec – supplies orange flavor and the sweetness needed to balance the lemon.
• Fresh lemon juice – gives the cocktail its sharp acidity and structure.

Substitutions

• No Cognac? A quality brandy is the closest practical substitute, though it will no longer match the IBA ingredient specification exactly.
• No light rum? Use another clean, unaged white rum.
• No triple sec? Cointreau works directly as a premium triple sec.

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker
• Jigger
• Strainer
• Cocktail glass

Four-Part Precision

The appeal of the Between The Sheets comes from its split base. Cognac and rum share the spotlight instead of one spirit dominating, while triple sec connects their fruitier notes to the lemon. The result is stronger and more layered than a typical sour, but fresh citrus keeps the drink crisp rather than heavy.

Substitutions & Variations

These changes move away from the official IBA specification but are useful for experimenting at home:

• Replace light rum with aged rum for more vanilla, oak, and molasses character.
• Use orange curaçao instead of triple sec for a rounder orange profile.
• Reduce the orange liqueur slightly for a drier, more spirit-forward variation.
• For a Sidecar-style direction, drop the rum and rebalance the Cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon rather than keeping the same ratios.

Helpful Tips

• Chill the cocktail glass before you start shaking.
• Use freshly squeezed lemon juice; its acidity is central to the drink's balance.
• If your jigger has no 2/3 oz mark, measure 1/2 oz plus 1 teaspoon of lemon juice.
• Shake with plenty of ice until the shaker is well chilled, then strain promptly.
• For several servings, pre-combine the Cognac, rum, and triple sec, then add fresh lemon juice and shake each serving with ice.
• Serve alongside salty snacks, cured meats, or mild cheeses that can stand up to the drink's bright citrus and spirit-forward profile.