The Art of Layering: Mastering the Pousse-Café Technique
Pousse-Cafés is a tradition that goes back to the 19th century and is likely to see a resurgence, considering how several old-school cocktails have been revived in the recent past. Here's a primer about this French drink which has a cool, sophisticated method of preparation.
About Pousse-Café
Pousse-cafés were all the rage two centuries ago. The French term pousse-café means push coffee or coffee chase usually served as a post-dinner or post-coffee drink. The ingredients used at that time were ones that are normally seen in after-dinner drink menus. They include grenadine, cherry liqueur, crème de menthe, crème de violette, yellow Chartreuse, and brandy.
How To Serve Pousse-Café
Pousse-café was a distinct drink due to its appearance. Traditionally, it was served in a very specific vessel that looked like an oversized shot glass. However, today the pousse-café is difficult to access. You can use a straight champagne flute or a slender tumbler to serve this drink. While traditionally it used to be a post-dinner drink, you can create your spin with aperitif ingredients and serve it before meals.
More On Appearance
Not only does the glass make the drink an exception among other alcoholic beverages, but also the visual of the ingredients used to make it. Pousse-café is a drink that has layer after layer of ingredients, with each ingredient retaining its own space as an individual layer of liquid. The different layers with different complementing colours look visually striking, adding to the appeal of the drink. The technique to create it is very similar to building a coffee float.
How To Construct A Pousse-Café
The trick to making a pousse-café is to understand the layering effect. It is simple physics: every liquid has a specific gravity, which is the measure of the liquid's density. To make a pousse-café, all you need to do is add the heaviest liquid first and follow it with lighter and lighter components, with the ingredient at the top being the lightest. You need to pour the ingredients one after another, gently and slowly using a bar spoon from the side of the glass. If you mix up the order of pouring ingredients from heaviest to lightest, the ingredients will mix up and the effect you want will vanish.
Creating Special Effects
You can have a bit of fun and heighten the look of this drink. You can top the drink with a final layer of overproof rum and light it to create a flaming cocktail. This will also alter the flavour by leaving a nuttier taste at the top. Or add a slightly heavier ingredient on top so that it gently drops down through the layer and creates an interesting, eye-catching pattern.
Tips About Ingredients
The heavier drinks include grenadine and crème de anything, so you can start with these liquors. Pure spirits such as gin, rum, vodka, and brandy are lighter in comparison.
Notes
It is very natural to go a bit overboard while making pousse-cafés. You will be tempted to use too many ingredients to create a bigger visual impact. However, you are likely to create a drink too sugary to consume. Choosing two-three ingredients is the ideal way to go. They will look appealing and have a balanced, delicious flavour profile which acts as a fitting end to a meal.
This technique needs a little practice, so be patient and keep trying till you get it right!
B-52 Recipe
Below is a recipe that will help you start off!
Ingredients
30 ml Coffee Liqueur
30 ml Baileys Irish Cream
30 ml Grand Marnier
Method
Take a shot glass and place a barspoon in a slanting position with its back facing upwards. Gently pour coffee liqueur on the back of the spoon so that it slowly flows to the bottom of the glass. Now, carefully and very slowly pour Baileys Irish cream on the back of the spoon so it forms the second layer and follow it with Grand Marnier. Serve the drink with a stirrer.
While it's great to learn about alcoholic beverages and alcohol-infused foods, it is important to also consume alcohol moderately. Remember to serve and drink responsibly to ensure you and your guests are healthy and out of harm's way. If you know anyone who has trouble controlling their alcohol intake, please refer them to a professional immediately.
