How to Float Ingredients in a Cocktail Drink
If you have ever tried to reproduce that fancy layered cocktail you ordered from a bar just to have it end up looking like a garbled mess, you know that floating techniques are generally secrets kept to the pros. However, if you understand the basic laws of gravity and have a steady hand, you to can float ingredients to make lovely layered cocktail drinks. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Get yourself a bartender's gravity chart that helps you to gauge the weights of specific cocktail ingredients. Remember the rules of gravity and pour the heaviest ingredients first. When in doubt, test your ingredients in a small shot glass before making a full drink.
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Make a regular sweet mixed drink, such as the popular cocktail Tequila Sunrise, and float grenadine, lime liqueur, blueberry liqueur or other sweet and vibrantly colored drink toppers on top. Mix your drink as you normally would, pouring it into the glass. Place a spoon round side up inside of the glass so that the tip of the spoon touches the glass just above the liquid and pour your drink topper onto the spoon.
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Float fine liquors for a classy drink with a fabulous presentation. For example, the B&B, or Benedictine and brandy, is served chilled in a brandy snifter with two distinct layers. Make sure your liquors are chilled before serving, as most prefer this drink cold, but straight up. Pour the Benedictine into the glass and then use the spoon floating technique to float an equal amount of brandy on top.
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Float fire on a cocktail, using your final layered ingredient to create flare. First, preheat the glass so that it does not crack or break due to sudden temperature changes, and then mix and pour your drink. Warm a bit of high-proof clear alcohol in a large spoon and the place the tip of the spoon on the inside edge of the glass, gently floating the warm alcohol on top of the glass. When ready, light a match and set the floating layer of alcohol on fire.
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Tips & Warnings
Warm alcohol is extremely flammable. Only heat small amounts at a time, watch your face and hair and use extreme caution.
