Vintage Cocktails: Between the Sheets

So right off the bat this cocktail has a lot going for it. I mean, the name alone makes it worth drinking, right? It's like an old school, slightly more appropriate forerunner of some of today's brazen hussy drinks, like Sex on the Beach. I mean, if you were at a drinking establishment and someone offered you a Sex on the Beach, and someone else offered you a Between the Sheets, which one would be more intriguing? Instead of coming out swinging, the name of this drink just gives you a smile and a wink.

A Between the Sheets is a close relative of one of my favorite drinks, the Sidecar. The only difference is that a Between the Sheets adds rum.

Lately I've been on a bit of a rum kick-- which is to say, I've been thinking fond thoughts, and occasionally eating, things with "rum raisin" in their name. Mostly ice cream, it's true, but I have plans for a rum raisin tapioca pudding. I even have raisins soaking in rum on my counter in preparation for this fantastic event! But I digress. My point is, rum is delicious, at least when applied correctly.

Sadly, the Between the Sheets was not a knock-out drink for me. It was fine, sure, but I've already returned to the sweet embrace of the Sidecar when I'm looking for a drink with a citrusy flavor profile. Sorry, clever sexual innuendo drink!

Robert did take some rather hilarious pictures of this cocktail though. He was very proud of himself.

Here it is, lying seductively...between the sheets.

And here it is with a couple of friends. Bears! In bed! With a naughty drink! I hope no children are reading.

Still, if you're a big rum fan, or just looking to spice up your drinking (or love) life, the Between the Sheets is certainly worth trying!

Between the Sheets

In a cocktail shaker with crushed ice combine:
1/2 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz orange liquor
1/2 oz rum
1/2 oz brandy or cognac

Shake well, strain into a lovely glass, and enjoy!

Vintage Cocktails: Sidecar

I had a rather exciting day yesterday, and um, forgot to blog. So let's just pretend it's still Monday, OK?

At any rate, we're on a brandy roll! The Sidecar was actually the cocktail that got me into this whole vintage drink schtick, which is funny because I'd never had one until a few days ago. But my dear chef friend, Rachel, mentioned them a while back and my ears pricked up. They sounded so classic and sophisticated. Cocktails. Sidecar. I was hooked without even taking a sip.

I know that some Sidecar recipes call for cognac. My Little Blue Book does not. So this Sidecar is made with brandy.

1/3 brandy
1/3 Cointreau
1/3 lemon juice

Shake over ice, strain and serve.

Verdict: delicious. I was right to fall in love with this drink! Definitely worth a spot in your regular rotation. Not too sweet, not too boozy- just right. I had thought of this drink as an autumn or winter cocktail (in the days of our imaginary courtship), but now I'm not so sure. This drink is wonderful in the summer, and I could see drinking it into the fall, but maybe not winter. Brandy is a more versatile spirit than I'd realized! I probably need to consider hot toddies for the winter editions.

And now I present you with: a knitted fish! Riding a motorcycle! With a Sidecar as her sidecar!

Pretty awesome, right?