Do you know how to stack your drinks at home? My husband saw one of his friends performing this art at her cocktail party and ever since then have been nagging me to host a cocktail party so that he can also try it!  Finally, I agreed to the cocktail party, not because I was inebriated after helping him finish all the drinks that he layered when experimenting with stacking, but because, lately he has gotten really good at it! But before I do let the party happen I would like to learn something more about the process of stacking drinks myself.

What is stacking?

Stacking a drink also known as layering a drink is the art of using alcoholic drinks of various densities in one drink by pouring them one by one into a serving glass such that different layers are formed and are clearly visible. It is one of those trick that bar tenders impress you with and as I learned is something that you can pick up quiet easily!

Items Required

Glass
Liquor
Spoon

It is always important to learn what the different densities of different alcoholic drinks are before attempting stacking. For example Irish Cream is a really heavy drink and makes a good base for your drink and you can use drinks like rum at the end as they are very light and will float on the top.

Once you have figured this out, select the liquors you want to use to build your layered beverage. Keep in mind that you have to pour from the heaviest to the lightest liquor.

Take your spoon and hold it upside down such that convex side is facing up over your serving glass. You have to pour your liquor over the spoon such that it slows the fall of the liquor into the glass and thereby helps you make the layers carefully.

Pour in your heaviest liquor first. Ensure that you pour a very small amount into the glass, taking care that the liquor doesn’t hit or touch the sides of the glass.

Now pour the next heaviest liquor over the spoon and into the glass such that the lower layer is not disturbed and a new neat layer is formed on top of it!  

You can continue to layer your drinks like this until you are satisfied with your drink.

Remember that stacking is easier if you ensure that liquors with different specific gravities or viscosities are being used. Using liquors with similar densities can cause it to merge and give birth to a disaster!

A basic knowledge of alcoholic drinks and which drink goes well with what is imperative because though you may be able to layer well if the drink tastes horrible then the layering is completely wasted on that drink.

I guess I need to make sure that we practice a lot and that we are armed with enough information regarding liquors before jumping onto to that cocktail party!! Phew! Now I need to go and figure out how to convince him to be a little more patient and practice a little more!! Till then why don’t you guys practice stacking drinks too?? 

Image Credits
flickr.com/photos/cogdog/