Post #262878 by Swanky on Thu, Oct 26, 2006 11:50 AM

Whoa. I just read this. Thanks for the props.

First, what I do to float is bend a perfectly good spoon 90 degrees backwards. Now you can put the spoon over your drink and the curved side should be up. Pour your float slowly over the back of the spoon. That will keep it on top and not mix in.

Secondly, these drinks often have a very different beginning and middle and sometime, even an ending. You'll find you may like a drink after the first few sips that on the first sip you did not like. Especially the more tart drinks. You may just get tart on the first swig. After the 4th, you get other flavors.

The Test Pilot is a tough recipe. It's an odd drink too. Be sure to first, make it perfectly and second, double the recipe to make getting the right amount of Pernod easier. In that recipe, a drop or too off can spoil it. Or invite a couple over and mix a batch of four. Even easier! If all else fails, drink it in the company of Pablus. Seems to much better when he is around.

Instead of the ReaLime, get a bottle of Nellies Key Lime juice. It may be hidden in the baking section of your grocery store. It's not equal to fresh squeezed, but it's as close as you can get in a bottle. You may have to use less than called for though. Key Lime is a bit stronger than Persian Lime juice.

If you liked the Demarara Dry Float, I'm surprised you didn't enjoy the Test Pilot. But, move on and come back to it later.