Mixed Drinks by Herbert W. Green (1895, p.66)

lemonade — Strained into the glass to within an inch of the top.base
0.5 jiggerWhiskey — whiskybase
  1. Strain lemonade into a thin lemonade glass to within an inch of the top.
  2. Float half a jigger of whisky over a spoon on the lemonade.

This is a useful border drink because it shows lemonade service merging directly into the floated-whiskey highball world.

The float is the defining act of service here, not mere presentation.

See also: Brandy Float, High Ball

Defined from strained lemonade service.