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Cold weather drinks Cocktail hour

3 layered drinks for the discerning cocktail fan

Published: 12.21.2013 » Last updated: 10.11.2022

Absinthe B-55 (for absinthe fans), soju and passionfruit cocktail (for Korean liquor buffs), and pineapple upside-down cake (for vodka devotees).

Layered cocktail drinks: absinthe B-55 (for fans of coffee and spice), soju and passionfruit cocktail (for Korean liquor buffs) and pineapple upside-down cake (for vodka devotees)

Layered drink has two or more liquors each floating on top of the other. The layering is possible because liquors have different densities. Following the rule of specific gravity, the heaviest liquor sinks to the bottom, the lighter one floats on top of it, and so on and so forth.

Liquid density and the rule of specific gravity applies to coffee-making too. How do you think the milk foam stays on top of the espresso in your cup of cappuccino?

Right. If you think that baristas need skill to make those latte macchiatos, well, bartenders don’t just need mixing skills. In many cases, they need to be inventive too and create original cocktail drinks.

How to make layered cocktail drinks

In the case of layered drinks, how come they don’t get mixed together? There is a technique for pouring. And although it takes some practice to create the floating layers, the pouring technique is not rocket science. You don’t have to be a professional bartender to learn it — just practice.

You use a bar spoon that you position upside down inside the glass. You pour the liquid directly onto the back of the spoon so that it spreads slowly around the edges of the glass first.

How to drink a layered cocktail

Unless otherwise instructed by your bartender, drink it with a straw. You’re supposed to sip the drink layer by layer and not altogether. It goes without saying that you’re not supposed to use your straw as a mixer to turn the layers into a homogenous mass.

Pineapple upside-down cake

Connie Veneracion
It's a cocktail drink that shares the name of a confection that was popular in the 50s and 60s. Pineapple upside-down cake, the cocktail, does project a retro aura with a combination of vodka, pineapple juice and grenadine.
Pineapple upside-down cake cocktail
Print Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 min
Cook Time 0 mins
Total Time 1 min
Course Drinks
Cuisine International
Servings 1 glass

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ oz grenadine
  • 1 oz pineapple juice - unsweetened
  • 1 oz vodka

Instructions
 

  • Pour the grenadine into a shot glass.
  • Position a bar spoon (or a teaspoon), upside down, over the shot glass.
  • Pour the pineapple juice onto the spoon so that the liquid drips off the edges of the spoon and onto the sides of the shot glass.
  • Wipe the bar spoon clean (or take a clean one) and pour the vodka using the same technique.
  • Serve at once.
Print Pin Recipe
Keyword Cocktails, Layered Cocktails

Soju and passionfruit cocktail

Connie Veneracion
Soju is an alcoholic beverage traditionally made from rice. It is clear and colorless and it has often been described as a sweeter version of vodka. Soju’s alcohol content varies from a timid 16% to an electrifying 45%. It is traditionally taken “neat” but if that’s not up your alley, try mixing it with something fruity.
Soju and Passionfruit Cocktail
Print Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 mins
Cook Time 0 mins
Total Time 2 mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine Accidental
Servings 2 shot glasses

Ingredients
  

  • soju - chilled
  • passionfruit concentrate - chilled

Instructions
 

  • Half fill two shot glasses with passionfruit concentrate (dilute with water first if the concentrate is too strong for you).
  • Top with an equal amount of soju.
  • Serve and enjoy.
Print Pin Recipe
Keyword Cocktails, Soju

Absinthe B-55

Connie Veneracion
Absinthe B-55 is three-layered drink. The most dense is Kahlua, a coffee liqueur, the lighter Bailey’s floats on top of it and the lightest, Absinthe, floats on top of the Bailey’s layer.
Absinthe B-55
Print Pin Recipe
Prep Time 4 mins
Cook Time 0 mins
Total Time 4 mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine Fusion
Servings 4 shot glasses

Ingredients
  

  • 4 tablespoons Kahlua
  • 4 tablespoons Bailey’s Irish Cream
  • 4 tablespoons Absinthe

Instructions
 

  • Start by pouring a tablespoon of pouring Kahlua at the bottom of a shot glass.
  • Position a bar spoon (or a teaspoon), upside down, over the shot glass.
  • Pour a tablespoon of Bailey’s Irish Cream onto the spoon so that the liquid drips off the edges of the spoon and onto the sides of the shot glass.
  • To make the Absinthe float on top of the Bailey’s layer, do the same thing. Take a clean spoon, place it upside down over the shot glass and pour the Absinthe slowly.
  • Repeat to make three more Absinthe B-55.
Print Pin Recipe
Keyword Absinthe, Cocktails, Layered Cocktails

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Connie Veneracion, Chiang Mai, 2020

Hi, I’m Connie!

Welcome to Umami Days, a blog that advocates innovative home cooking for pleasurable everyday dining. No trendy diets, no food fads and definitely no ludicrous recipe names like crustless quiche, noodleless pho or chocolate lasagna.

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