Layered Double Espresso G&T
Everyone knows the famous Espresso Martini, but I’m a little more of a gin&tonic drinker. This drink, inspired by the Fenster Cafe in Vienna, was the perfect drink to keep us going all New Year’s Eve of 2021. It’s light and bubbly, with the bitterness in the espresso perfectly balanced with the iced tonic. It’s incredibly easy to drink, so make sure you’re keeping track!
What Are Layered Drinks?
Just as they sound, layered drinks have multiple distinct layers. You should be able to look at them and at the very least see some gradient between two different colours. This is how you get the Red, White, & Blue cocktails that are so popular around 4th of July. They’re an easy and impressive way to serve up an otherwise normal drink.
How Does it Work?
I’m so glad you asked! There are several different ways that layering works, but the main two are based on either fluid mechanics or fluid density.
Fluid mechanics is just a fancy way of saying “how a liquid behaves.” Different things can effect each liquid. For example, water does not behave the same brownie batter, but they are both technically liquids. Some of the things that can effect these mechanics are:
Temperature
Altitude/Pressure
Compressibility
Viscosity
Surface Tension
Carbonation
Density
That being said, most layered drinks rely on fluid density to create such eye catching drinks. Denser liquids sink to the bottom while lighter liquids move to the top. In most alcoholic drinks, this density is determined by the sugar content in each liquor/liqueur. The more sugar it has, the heavier it is.
The basis for distinct layers in many mixed drinks is to have your layers in order of heaviest to lightest, lightest being on top. This generally keeps the liquids from mixing with each other until the drinker stirs it up. You still have to layer it using the proper technique (back of a spoon method) or you invoke the properties of fluid dynamics that will break the surface tension of your base liquid and muddle your layers.
Layered Double Espresso Gin & Tonic
Simone Peironnet | 2/9/2022
- prep time: 5
- assembly time: 2
- total time: 7 minutes
Servings: 1
Ingredients:
- 2 Shots Espresso OR 3 oz. Strong Coffee
- 2 oz Gin
- 4 oz Plain Tonic Water, ex: Fevertree
- A Squeeze of Lime Juice
- OPTIONAL: 1oz Simple Syrup
- Ice
Equipment:
- Tall, skinny glass (aka "High Ball Glass") to make it extra sexy
Flat spoon, for layering
Instructions:
- In your glass (ideally chilled), fill with ice cubes. Pour in your gin shots, squeeze of lemon juice, and shot of simple syrup (if using). Give a quick stir, then pour in your tonic.
Nerd Note: The tonic is denser than the gin due to the heavy sugars in it, and will sink through the gin to essentially mix itself. The carbonation helps with the layering, ideally by using the natural properties of the global circulation created by the bubbles travelling upward. (X) - Take your flat spoon and turn it over, so that the outward curve is facing up. Put your spoon on top of the ice. Very slowly, pour your espresso shots onto the back of the spoon.
Nerd Note: This should help create the layered effect and separate your coffee from your tonic. This works by breaking up the concentrated stream of the pour and slowing it down, letting the surface tension of the tonic be less disturbed and therefore more likely to withstand the pressure from your espresso. - Enjoy cold with good company! Drink responsibly, and remember that these can pack a punch!
Best served with:
- Good Company
- The desire to stay awake all night
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