When building, layering or floating a cocktail, the ingredients are poured into the glass in which the cocktail will be served. Usually, the ingredients are floated on top of each other, keeping drink ingredients seperate in levels so they do not mix. This is best accomplished by using a demitasse spoon or a turtle spoon and slowly trickling the ingredients over the back over the spoon into the glass.

When making layered drinks, also known as a Pousse Cafe, you'll need to know which ingredients are heavier than the others. The heaviest liquor is poured into the glass first, and the lighter ones are layered carefully on top with the lightest one on top.

This table lists some common liquors, along with their Specific Gravity, the weight of the liquor relative to water.

Higher values indicate a heavier liquor.

Amaretto 1.10
Anisette 1.17
Apricot brandy 1.06
Apricot liqueur 1.09
Benedictine 1.04
Blackberry brandy 1.06
Blackberry liqueur 1.10
Blue Curacao 1.11
Brandy 1.04
Campari 1.06
Cherry brandy 1.06
Cherry liqueur 1.12
Coffee liqueur 1.14
Cointreau 1.04
Crème de Almond 1.16
Crème de Banane 1.14
Crème de Cacao (Dark) 1.14
Crème de Cacao (White) 1.14
Crème de Cassis 1.18
Crème de Menthe (Green) 1.12
Crème de Menthe (White) 1.12
Crème de Noyaux 1.17
Drambuie 1.08
Frangelico 1.08
Galliano 1.11
Green Chartreuse 1.01
Kahlua 1.15
Kummel 1.04
Midori melon liqueur 1.05
Orange Curacao 1.08
Parfrait d'Amour 1.13
Peach brandy 1.06
Peach liqueur 1.04
Peppermint schnapps 1.04
Rock and Rye 1.05
Sloe gin 1.04
Southern Comfort 0.97
Strawberry liqueur 1.12
Tia maria 1.09
Triple sec 1.09
Tuaca 0.98
Water 1.00
Yellow Chartreuse 1.06