Last Drink Bird Head

A fiction writer reflects on a bygone era of cocktails with fanciful names and exotic ingredients. He recalls the surly author, Damon Knight, and his habit of confounding bartenders who rushed his order by requesting a fictitious White Piano. 

Two of Damon’s friends – Gordon Dickson and Harry Harrison – visit a bar and order White Pianos.  They instruct the barman to mix milk and gin, praise the concoction, and tip handsomely.