Tract · Cocktails

Spirit-forward · Built in glass · Historical · complexity 1/5

Jersey Lily Pousse Cafe

Lewis's Jersey Lily Pousse Cafe is a simple two-layer Chartreuse and brandy pousse-cafe.

herbal · oaky · sweet · digestif · formal

Served in Pony-glass.

Family

Variants (4)

The Complete Buffet Guide by V. B. Lewis (1903, p.52) — V. B. Lewis 1903

0.5 glassbrandy — brandybase
0.5 glassGreen Chartreuse — Chartreusebase
  1. Pour the Chartreuse into the pony-glass.
  2. Pour the brandy in carefully so as not to disturb the Chartreuse and serve.
Nose
Brandy sits above an alpine herbal base.
Palate
The simplicity matters historically: by this stage the pousse-cafe family could be either elaborate and multicoloured or reduced to a clean two-layer after-dinner service.
Finish
The finish is warm, herbal, and spirit-led.
Summary
A reduced two-layer pousse-cafe showing the family in compact late form.

Jack's Manual by J. A. Grohusko (1910, p.60)

0.5 portioncognac — Cognac brandybase
0.5 portionGreen Chartreuse base
10 dropsAngostura bitters bitter
  1. Build the green Chartreuse and Angostura in a pony glass.
  2. Pour the Cognac carefully so it will not mix, and serve.

Ice: None

Layer the brandy carefully to preserve the pousse-cafe effect.

The Buffet Blue Book by John H. Considine (1912, p.38)

0.5 pony glasscognac — Cognac brandybase
0.5 pony glassGreen Chartreuse — green chartreusebase
  1. Pour the Cognac brandy into a pony glass.
  2. Carefully float the green Chartreuse on top so it does not mix, and serve.

Ice: None

Layering is central to the identity.

Bartenders' Guide: How to Mix Drinks by Wehman Bros. (1912, p.45)

0.5 glassbrandy — Brandybase
0.5 glassChartreuse base
  1. Half fill the pony glass with Chartreuse, pour the brandy in carefully so it does not disturb the liqueur, and serve.

See also: Brandy Scaffa, Jersey Cocktail

Source calls for pouring the brandy carefully so it will not mix.