The Mixicologist by C. F. Lawlor (1895, p.58) — Sheridan Punch or Float (C. F. Lawlor 1895)
| lemonade — strained lemonade | base | |
| 1 oz | Whiskey — whiskey | base |
- Strain lemonade into a thin lemonade glass to within an inch of the top.
- Float over a spoon one half jigger of whiskey on the lemonade.
- Nose
- Whiskey rises first, with lemonade beneath it.
- Palate
- It is a simple float drink, using contrast and layering rather than full integration to create its effect.
- Finish
- The finish is sweet-tart and spirit-topped.
- Summary
- A small float drink that preserves another path from temperance refreshers into whiskey service.
The interesting thing here is structural: whiskey is floated onto lemonade rather than simply mixed into it. That makes the drink a useful reminder that layering logic was not confined to pousse-cafe novelties.
The float is the point. If the whiskey is dumped in carelessly, the drink loses its identity.
Compared with a whiskey sour or daisy, this is much simpler and more contrast-driven. Compared with plain lemonade, it is one decisive step back into alcoholic service.