Cocktail bar: The between the sheets

Cocktail bar: The between the sheets (Photo: iStock)

This delicious cocktail’s origin is usually credited to the acclaimed bartender and author Harry MacElhone at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris during the 1930s. At the time, Prohibition was in full force in the United States, prompting many talented bartenders to travel to Europe to continue their craft. MacElhone, a master of his trade, is also credited with creating several other classics, including the White Lady and the Old Pal.

The Between the Sheets (BTS) cocktail is considered a derivative of the Sidecar. The difference lies in its composition: it uses less cognac and introduces rum to the mix. Traditionally, the BTS consists of white rum (or other light rum), cognac, triple sec, and lemon juice. However, when gin is substituted for rum and cognac, the drink is known as a Maiden’s Prayer.