The Specific Gravity of Alcohol

Are you having problems layering shooters? This table should help you on
your quest to become competent at layering different alcohol's. Each
alcohol has its own weight, or Specific Gravity Value. These values tell you
in what order that you should pour them. As described in the layering
section, you must pour the heaviest liquors first, or the liquors with the
largest value. 0.97 would be the lightest in the table and 1.18 would be the
heaviest.

• Liquids with the highest number are heavier (thus tend to go down in
a glass), and should be poured first
• This means you should pour your spirits in order, from the highest
specific gravity (first) to the lowest (last)
• Bear in mind that the difference between the specific gravities of two
drinks matters (the bigger the difference, the easier it is to keep the
layers cleanly separated)
• Alcohol weighs less than water, so as a general rule: liquids higher in
alcohol are lighter (and tend to float on top)
• Pouring a liquid from too much height can spoil the layers that are
already in the glass, you can avoid this by pouring from a low height
or by pouring the liquid on the back of a spoon (which will slow it
down)
• For simplicity's sake, most layered cocktails recipes are written
heaviest to lightest (in order of pouring)
• It is important to move the glass with care after pouring the
ingredients, and to not touch the inside with anything (it will spoil
the perfectly horizontal line between the layers)
 Specific Gravity
Alcohol Type
Value

Southern Comfort 0.97

Tuaca 0.98
Green Chartreuse 1.01
Cointreau 1.04
Peach Liquor 1.04
Sloe Gin 1.04
Peppermint Schnapps 1.04
Benedictine & Brandy 1.04
Cherry Liquor 1.04
Midori Melon Liquor 1.05
Fruit Flavoured Brandies 1.06
Campari 1.06
Yellow Chartreuse 1.06
Benedictine D.O.M. 1.07
Strawberry 1.08
Drambui 1.08
Frangelico 1.08
Amaretto di Saranno 1.08
Tia Maria 1.09
Apricot Liquor 1.09
Blackberry Liquor 1.10
Blue Curacao 1.10
Galliano 1.11
Creme de Menthe 1.12
Coffee Liquor 1.13
Creme de Banana 1.14
Creme de Cacao 1.14
Kahlua 1.14
Creme de Almond 1.16
Creme de Noyaux 1.16
Anisette 1.18
Grenadine 1.18
Creme de Cassis 1.18
How to Float Ingredients in a Cocktail Drink

Have you ever seen a cocktail with a colorful ingredient floating on the top of it and
wondered how did they do that? They probably made the cocktail using the floating
technique. Float or floating in cocktail terminology means to add a small amount of
liquid over the back of a spoon or down the handle of a bar spoon to the cocktail. A float
is usually the last ingredient used in a cocktail. A float is added last because it is not
stirred or shaken like the other ingredients used in the cocktail. Some ingredients can be
floated by pouring the ingredient slowly in the drink, but usually it is poured slowly over
the back of a spoon. Some bartenders will float the ingredient down the handle of a bar
spoon. It’s very important when floating an ingredient to slowly pour the liquid over the
back of the spoon because if you pour it too quickly it will mix with the other ingredients
in the cocktail.

This Tequila Sunrise cocktail uses the floating technique to add the grenadine to the
drink.
Ingredients:
• 1 ½ oz Tequila
• 4 oz Orange Juice
• 1 ½ oz Grenadine (grenadine is non alcoholic cherry flavored syrup used in many
cocktail drinks)
• 1 Orange Slice for garnish
• 1 Lime Slice for garnish
Preparation:
1. Place 3 cubes of ice in a shaker.
2. Add the tequila and orange juice to the ice.
3. Shake well (shake the shaker at least 10 times).
4. Strain into a Collins cocktail glass.
5. Float grenadine into the drink.
6. Garnish with an orange slice and a lime slice.

Floating the grenadine on top of this cocktail adds a beautiful look to the drink. The
grenadine gives the drink a sweet flavor and also adds a bright and colorful look. The
Tequila Sunrise has a very sweet taste because of the orange juice and grenadine and
looks elegant when the grenadine is floated on top.
The Tequila Sunrise is also prepared by adding the tequila and orange juice to a Collins
glass with ice. Do not stir. Add the grenadine and let it settle to the bottom of the glass.
Do not stir. Garnish with orange slice.

How to Layer a Cocktail

Here's an easy way to layer a cocktail such as a Pousse Cafe.
Difficulty Level: Hard Time Required: 5 minutes

Here's How:
1. Select a shot, cordial, or Pousse Cafe glass.
2. Refer to the density chart for approximate weight of liqueurs.
3. Pour your heaviest liquid first.
4. Place a bar or teaspoon upside down into the glass against the edge.
5. Slowly pour the next heaviest liqueur over the back of the spoon.
6. Continue with each liqueur, ending with the lightest.
7. If a liqueur does not float, discard or drink this attempt.
8. Admire your finished work of art.
Tips:
1. If glass is too narrow to place a spoon in, a maraschino cherry will work.
2. The trick is to pour very slowly.
3. If using a bar spoon, pour down the twisted part of the handle.
4. Not all brands have the same density, so you may have to use the trial and error
method.
5. These may be prepared a bit in advance, so are perfect for after dinner drinks.

TABLE OF CONTENT
REFERENCES
• DRINK STREET ™ Drink with Style
○ http://www.drinkstreet.com/category.cgi?category=33

• WIKIPEDIA .COM
○ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backdraft_%28drink%29

• Drink Nation
○ http://www.drinknation.com/bartending/flaming-drinks

• Bella Online
○ http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art49306.asp

• HUNGRY MONSTER.COM
○ http://www.hungrymonster.com/bar/Specific_gravity.cfm

• SUPERCOCKTAILS
○ http://supercocktails.com/bartending/Layering-Cocktails---
Specific-Gravity-Chart

• GOOGLE
○ http://www.google.com.ph/