It’s important to remember that when mixing cocktails in winter, you don’t always need reach for that bottle of whiskey. In fact, lesser-used cognac and rum are trending right now and are perfectly paired seasonal partners. An excellent example is illustrated in the delightful Prohibition-era tipple, Between The Sheets.
While this rum-spiked twist on a Sidecar technically falls into the sour category, beware. It also packs the serious potency of stirred, spirit-forward cocktails. Slightly tart, bitter orange and warm spice notes make for a very balanced drink, but as the name suggests, one too many has great potential for an early bedtime.
Between The Sheets 1 Serving
¾ oz. Camus VS cognac
¾ oz. El Dorado 8-year rum
¾ oz. Pierre Ferrand dry curacao
½ oz. fresh lemon juice
Orange twist, for garnish
• Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, add ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist.
This article appears in January 2014.