A layered (or "stacked") drink, sometimes called a pousse-café, is a kind of

cocktail A cocktail is an alcoholic mixed drink. Most commonly, cocktails are either a combination of spirits, or one or more spirits mixed with other ingredients such as tonic water, fruit juice, flavored syrup, or cream. Cocktails vary widely acr ...

in which the slightly different densities of various

liqueur A liqueur (; ; ) is an alcoholic drink composed of spirits (often rectified spirit) and additional flavorings such as sugar, fruits, herbs, and spices. Often served with or after dessert, they are typically heavily sweetened and un-aged bey ...

s are used to create an array of colored layers, typically two to seven. The

specific gravity Relative density, or specific gravity, is the ratio of the density (mass of a unit volume) of a substance to the density of a given reference material. Specific gravity for liquids is nearly always measured with respect to water (molecule), wa ...

of the liquid ingredients increases from top to bottom. Liqueurs with the most dissolved sugar and the least alcohol are densest and are put at the bottom. These include fruit juices and cream liqueurs. Those with the least water and the most alcohol, such as rum with 75% alcohol by volume, are floated on top. These drinks are made primarily for visual enjoyment rather than taste. They are sipped, sometimes through a silver straw, one liqueur at a time. The drink must be made and handled carefully to avoid mixing; however, some layered drinks, such as

shooter Shooting is the act or process of discharging a projectile from a ranged weapon (such as a gun, bow, crossbow, slingshot, or blowpipe). Even the acts of launching flame, artillery, darts, harpoons, grenades, rockets, and guided missiles can b ...

s, are generally drunk quickly.

Preparation

The layers must be poured very gently to avoid mixing. They can be poured over the back of a spoon or down a glass rod.

Examples of layered drinks

* Black and Tan * Black Velvet * Blue Eyed Blonde *

B-52 The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is an American long-range, subsonic aircraft, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, which has continued to provide support and upgrades. It has been operated by the ...

* Oatmeal Cookie * ''Pousse-café'' (1/2 ounce Grenadine, 1/2 ounce yellow chartreuse, 1/2 ounce

crème de cassis Crème de cassis () (also known as Cassis liqueur) is a sweet, dark red liqueur made from blackcurrants. Several cocktails are made with crème de cassis, including the popular wine cocktail, kir. It may also be served as an after-dinner liq ...

, 1/2 ounce white creme de menthe, 1/2 ounce

green chartreuse Chartreuse (, , ) is a French herbal liqueur available in green and yellow versions that differ in taste and alcohol content. The liqueur has been made by the Carthusian monks since 1737 according to the instructions set out in a manuscript ...

, and 1/2 ounce brandy, layered in order given).Pousse-Cafe, 2012 Mr. Boston Official Bartender's Guide
/ref> * Slippery Nipple * Tequila Sunrise

Non-alcoholic

Non-alcoholic beverages may also be layered, as in a

latte macchiato __NOTOC__ Latte macchiato () is a coffee beverage. The name means stained or marked milk, which refers to the espresso stain on the milk used. It is a play on "Espresso macchiato". an espresso with a dollop or two of milk or cream. Related dri ...

References

* Tyler, S. and Herbst, R. ''The Ultimate A-to-Z Bar Guide''. New York: Broadway Books, 1998. * {{cite news , publisher=Wall Street Journal , title= Neither Shaken Nor Stirred , url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB115835765770164823 , author=Eric Felten , date=September 16, 2006 , page=9
DrinkStreet Pousse Cafe recipeArt of the Drink - Sunset Pousse-café video
Shooters (drinks)

Preparation

Examples of layered drinks

Non-alcoholic

See also

References