pousse-café

American  

[poos-ka-fey, poos-ka-fey] / ˌpus kæˈfeɪ, pus kaˈfeɪ /

noun

PLURAL

pousse-cafés

1. an after-dinner drink of liqueurs of various colors and specific gravities, carefully poured into a glass so as to remain floating in separate layers.

2. a small glass of liqueur served after coffee.

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pousse-café British  

/ puskafe /

noun

1. a drink of liqueurs of different colours in unmixed layers

2. any liqueur taken with coffee at the end of a meal

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Etymology

Origin of pousse-café

1875–80; < French: literally, (it) pushes on (the) coffee

Example Sentences

In other words, sir, you are a sort of human pousse-café, a mighty agreeable concoction, Mr. Bib, though a trifle dangerous to tackle at breakfast.

From Project Gutenberg

I have become acquainted with a drink called pousse-café, which contains all the colors of the rainbow.

From Project Gutenberg

The latter nodded wisely, and a few minutes later brought in a tiny glass containing a pousse-café in three different colors.

From Project Gutenberg

It was the hour sacred to coffee and pousse-cafe, and it was not long before the little hostelry was full to overflowing with officers and men of every arm of the service.

From Project Gutenberg

She had uttered her protest against the pilgrimage, as she had swept the Parisian's pousse-café from his elbow.

From Project Gutenberg