What is a Flip Cocktail?

Essentially, a flip is a cocktail that uses egg alongside sugar and a spirit, often finished with a spice garnish like nutmeg. You might be surprised to know that they first popped up in 1695 when playwright William Congreve wrote, ‘Thus we live at sea; eat biscuit, and drink flip…’ so, like many cocktails, it’s the sailors that created this cocktail.

Originally, it involved mixing beer, rum and sugar and heating the liquid with a red-hot iron to create the frothy top, or ‘flip’. Of course, the 17th century is a long time ago and the cocktail evolved, particularly in the US where eggs and sometimes cream were added to sweeten the serve, fortify it, and mask the flavour of dodgy alcohol. This masterstroke added a velvety texture similar to eggnog or custard, but often without any of the dairy.

By the 19th century, it was a beloved and widely varied serve, popping up in Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations and the legendary Bar-tenders’ Guides of the era. Nowadays, they’re served hot or cold using various ingredients so if you want to embrace this oft-forgotten drink, here are a few suggestions!

But remember, as long as egg, sugar and some kind of liquor are involved, you can riff and experiment with your own creations. Who knows, maybe your flip will be the one to bring back its golden age!

What Flip Cocktails Should I Try?

The Classic Hot Beer Flip

If you want to get close to trying the original recipe, then this is it. Ale was very different back then, and not as bitter as today, so including cream or more sugar is recommended for balance. If you really want to turn back time, you can use a hot poker to caramelise if you wish, but of course be very careful. Alternatively, the stove is fine. The earthy, silky, rich taste is totally unique.

Ingredients
220ml ale (brown or dark)
40ml rum
25ml brown sugar syrup
1 egg
Nutmeg (garnish)

 Method
In a heatproof vessel like a tempered pitcher, whisk rum, syrup, and an egg. In the saucepan, heat the beer until it begins to steam – avoid simmering. Gently pour the hot beer into your mixture, continuously whisking all the time. Now, pour the liquid between the vessel and the saucepan multiple times to froth it up, and serve in a mug or handled glass. Grate some nutmeg to finish and you’ve got a modern version of the 17th century classic.

The Rum Flip

One step away from eggnog, this simple concoction is silky smooth, even for a flip, because it uses heavy cream. The inclusion of cream means this flip isn’t as light as most, but you also get added richness and indulgence in return. We love this as an after-dinner dessert.

Ingredients
50ml dark rum
20ml heavy cream
1 tsp sugar
1 egg
Nutmeg (garnish)

 Method
Dry-shake all ingredients first, before adding ice and repeat until everything is well-chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass, and a little grated nutmeg is the perfect finish.

The Gaelic Flip

The richness of whisky/whiskey is perfect flip material. There’s a lot of other flavours, so there’s no need to splash out on an expensive Irish whiskey, but a decent, bold whiskey with good soft fruits is perfect. The velvety egg foam, the light whiskey, the tingle of spice and the sweetness of syrup and the vermouth – delightful. You could play around with this too. We’re thinking Guinness, we’re thinking Bailey’s…

Ingredients
50ml Irish whiskey
25ml sweet vermouth
15ml syrup
1tsp allspice liqueur
1 egg
Nutmeg (garnish)

 Method
Dry-shake all ingredients first because this is where you’ll get the gorgeous pillow of foam in the final serve. Add ice and repeating until everything is well-chilled and combined. Strain into a cocktail glass, and again, grate nutmeg on top!

The Boston Flip

Madeira is a great example of what fortified wine can bring to a flip. The sweetness it carries as well as chocolatey, nutty and dried fruit notes intertwines luxuriously with the caramel and vanilla punch of bourbon (you can swap out for rye whiskey for more peppery spice, and this would work too).

Ingredients
60ml bourbon
60ml Madeira wine
10ml syrup
1 egg
Nutmeg (garnish)

Method
Again, it’s a dry shake. Make sure to shake vigorously for at least a minute to get that foam, and then shake again but this time with ice. Strain and you guessed it, grate with nutmeg!

These are some well-known flips to get you started, but these cocktails are tailor made to be personalised and experimented with. Crack an egg into your shaker, add a little syrup and then have a play around with your favourite spirits, liqueurs, fortified wines and alike! Flips are one of many cocktails that can be served hot, so if you want tips on some others, check out The Science, Art and History of Hot Cocktails!

10 Craft Beers to Try from Across the UK

We’ve all heard of craft beers, but where to actually start? With such a flourishing scene for over a decade now, it can be intimidating to get involved, but you’re missing out if not. We’ve gathered a diverse range of excellent craft beers from across the UK, from citric refreshers to chocolatey stouts.

Trust us, beer has come a long way from medieval ‘liquid bread’, and there’s so much more to it than pub lager. Have a scroll and see which of these takes your fancy and begin your craft beer journey today.

Fyne Ales Jarl

The current CAMRA Champion Beer of Scotland, Jarl is seriously well put together, easy-drinking golden ale. It’s light, full of grapefruit and lemon, with a clean, crisp feel and a little biscuity malt and subtle grassiness to round it off. This farm brewery was one of the first in the UK to use citra hops, and Jarl was their flagship trailblazer for the successful outcome of those experiments.  

Size: 500ml
ABV: 3.8%
Price: £31.20 12 x 500ml

Lost and Grounded Keller Pils

An ever-popular beer in Bristol, this is a class above your run of the mill lager. Taking inspiration from German brewing, it’s Lost and Grounded’’s top seller, with drinkers returning to its precision balance. It’s dry, crisp, clean, and fresh with hoppy depths for refreshing bitterness.

Size: 440ml
ABV: 4.8%
Price: £2.80 1 x 440ml

Beavertown Neck Oil London

One of the better-known craft beers, this is a lovely hoppy one that you’ll be able to pick up in many supermarkets and probably hear being praised a lot. It has picked up some prestigious gongs in its time, with its light, zingy brightness, and is a fantastic first stop on your craft beer journey. Think tropical fruits like passionfruit and grapefruit before an utterly refreshing finale.

Size: 330ml
ABV: 4.3%
Price: £2.50 1 x 330ml

Samuel Smith Organic Chocolate Stout

Drinkers rave about this English Stout and we can see why. Organic chocolate malt is gently roasted, joining organic cocoa for a full, luscious, creamy feel. The flavours are so satisfying and luxurious, with soft caramel, lingering malt, and incredible chocolate. It’s not as heavy as you might expect either, with a little carbonation for edge.

Size: 550ml
ABV: 5%
Price: £3.70 for 1

Traquair House Brewery Jacobite

This Scotch ale uses an ingredient always, until modern times, used in beer making and that’s coriander. The brewery itself is in Scotland’s oldest inhabited house and uses a 1738 copper kettle and oak fermenters for this fine ale. The colour is similar to cola, and the first whiff brings gentle spice and molasses. After the first sip, the sweet malts and dried fruits come through with complexity, before a malty wash finish.

Size: 330ml
ABV: 8%
Price: £3.75 for 1

Old Engine Oil Craft Stout - Harviestoun

Staying in Scotland, this old favourite has been around for years, providing an exceptionally engineered, velvety, dark, and rich stout. Premium roasted malt coats the mouth so smoothly as the mocha aroma continues into the palate, joined by cream and vanilla. It’s bulky and bold, and oh so satisfying.

Size: 330ml
ABV: 6%
Price: £44.24 24 x 330ml

Full Circle Brew Co. Looper IPA

Up in Newcastle, this is Full Circle’s flagship IPA and it’s building quite the reputation. It’s all about citrus refreshment, with juicy, zesty grapefruit and a surprising sweetness to the lemon. The pillowy feel is dreamy too, carrying the classic IPA bitterness with a trio of citra, mosaic and cashmere hops.

Size: 440ml
ABV: 6.4%
Price: £3.77 for 1

Cloudwater Fuzzy Hazy Pale

With a cult following in Manchester, Cloudwater are one craft brewery well worth keeping an eye on. They’ve only been around for about a decade but have already developed a rock solid portfolio of industry acclaimed, super popular top-quality beers. Fuzzy is part of their core range, bringing loveable brightness and stone fruits. Peach and apricot intertwine with vibrant citrus, grassy notes and well carbonated softness. Clean refreshment.

Size: 440ml
ABV: 4.2%
Price: £12 x 440ml

JW Lees Harvest Ale

This is a very prestigious ale that uses only the finest malts and earliest hops of the year. This particular ale has gained a cult following amongst enthusiasts, with robust and characterful vintages with each release. In the barleywine style (complexity and higher ABV%), it ages well and delivers a caramel nose, with rich and full figs, dried fruits, oak, and leather. It’s heavy but smooth, with zero cloying whatsoever. Legendary.

Size: 275mll
ABV: 11.5%
Price: £14.85 3 x 275ml

Buxton Brewery Yellow Belly

We’ve included this as an example of premium beer, more precisely American Imperial Stout. The whole concept of this beer is to ridicule the cowardly nature of racist groups, particularly anonymous ones, which explains the paper packaging (reminiscent of the KKK) and its controversy in America. The beer inside celebrates open mindedness and difference with interesting flavours. It’s a peanut butter biscuit stout, but with no biscuits, butter, or nuts! It’s velvety and chocolatey with roasted malt and restrained sweetness, perfectly executed for bold and big flavours. One of the most celebrated stouts on the planet.

Size: 330ml
ABV: 11%
Price: £9 1 x 330ml

If you’re looking into craft beer as part of a wider drink’s exploration, then how about discovering mead? You might surprise yourself! Take a look here.

Aunt Bessie's New Roast Dinner and Dessert Beers are Here!

Calling all quirky beer lovers! Aunt Bessie's is back with a delightful surprise that will tickle your taste buds and transport you down memory lane!

You may remember that back in 2020, they joined forces with Northern Monk to craft “the UK’s first two-course meal made in beer form,” and now they're at it again, this time with an extra couple of tantalizing puddings in mind.

Picture this: a Roast Dinner Brown Ale, a Jam Roly Poly & Custard Pale Ale, a Sticky Toffee Pudding & Custard Porter, and an Apple Crumble & Custard Pale Ale. Yes, you read that right – they've brewed beers inspired by some of the nation's most cherished comfort foods!

The Roast Dinner Brown Ale is brewed with actual Aunt Bessie's Roast Potatoes and Yorkshire Puddings and the Jam Roly Poly & Custard Pale Ale is infused with plum, apricot, and strawberry, which are the same ingredients found in the original Aunt Bessie's pudding recipe.

This isn't the first time we've seen such unique brews though. Remember when Seabrook crisps teamed up with Northern Monk to create Prawn Cocktail and Cheese & Onion flavored beers? Or when Byron’s Burger released its pickle beer?! It seems like the world of beer and food is always full of surprises!

If you're itching to try Aunt Bessie's latest four-pack of brews (4 x 330ml for just £5.50), you can either click right here or head to your nearest Morrisons.

5 Need To Know Weird Beers

If you’ve got even a passing interest in beer then you’ll have definitely come across some peculiar flavours over the years, and there’s no shortage of them in 2023. We embrace the weirdness, but that doesn’t mean they all taste good. In fact, a lot of them miss the mark.

Below are 5 need to know weird beers that we think are really worth a try, from pale ales that sound appetising off the bat, to ales that need to win you around. Cheers!

Northern Monk + Aunt Bessie’s Apple Crumble & Custard Pale Ale

We can always rely on Northern Monk to collaborate with the unexpected and concoct an unusual beer. In the past there’s been Seabrook’s Prawn Cocktail and Cheese & Onion cans, and in fact this isn’t the first time they’ve teamed up with Aunt Bessie’s, releasing a Sunday Dinner Brown Ale previously. These past creations are no longer available, but their newer release, ‘Apple Crumble & Custard’ is and it’s one that is far easier to immediately get on board with. The custard is more forward, with the apple bringing a subtle, candy style flavour. Overall, it isn’t too overwhelming as you might expect and does provide a nice nostalgic sweetness!

Size: 330ml
ABV: 4.5%
Price: £2.50

Fungtn Lion’s Mane IPA

We’ve mentioned these low-alcohol gems before because of their innovative use of medicinal mushrooms. The natural starchy quality of mushrooms complements brewed beer, for example, Lion’s Mane IPA uses Lion’s Mane mushroom. This gives earthy depth, building on the subtle caramel, hay notes among the bitterness. This IPA won has won numerous awards but check out their other mushroom projects like Reishi Citra Hop and the new Shiitake Dark.

Size: 330ml
ABV: 0.5%
Price: 12 for £33.60

Eagle Brewery Banana Bread Beer

You might have had enough of banana bread when everyone started making it during the pandemic, but now you’ve had a rest, how about experiencing it in a whole new form? This Eagle brew uses their own natural mineral water and Fairtrade bananas, bringing inviting banoffee aroma with the silky, rich malt blend and touch of peppery spice. Unlike so many flavoured beers, it does really taste of banana, and it’s delicious.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 5.2%
Price: 8 for £12.50

Hammerton Crunch Peanut Butter Milk Stout

Smooth and silky texture, this is like drinking liquid peanut butter… albeit the stout version. It took tonnes of experimentation, but the balance of roasted peanuts and biscuit is spot on. It’s surprisingly light, with malty, chocolatey, coffee notes in the background. Delicious.

Size: 330ml
ABV: 5.4%
Price: £3.70

Marmite Love Hate Ale Camden Town Brewery

This one completely lives up to the saying, so we just had to include it. Not everyone loves it, but those who do really do. Now, it is very yeasty, and the profile of Camden Hells unsurprisingly comes through, so if you’re drawn to that already then definitely give this a go. Real marmite, Pilsner and Munich malt combine for a smoky, bready for an unforgettable experience.

Size: 330ml
ABV: 4.8%
Price: 12 for £24.99

Take a look at our Beer Cocktails guide and experiment with these odd flavours in one of the recipes! You never know what you’ll create!

A New Twist on Tradition: Exploring the World of Beer Cocktails

When it comes to cocktails, beer definitely isn’t the first ingredient that comes to mind. However, the world of mixology has embraced the idea of blending beer with other spirits and flavours to create unique and refreshing concoctions, so don’t write it off just yet! It’s probably the most beloved drink of them all, so let’s dive into the delightful realm of beer cocktails, where traditional brews meet exciting twists.

Marbeerita

The Beer Margarita, the Beerita, the Beergarita, whatever you call it, it really works. The beer brings a refreshing twist to this classic putting a bubbly spin on the traditional mix of tequila, lime and aromatic orange... which marries with hops deliciously. Barbeques, laid-back afternoons, the Marbeerita is well worth a go.

Ingredients
50ml tequila (blanco or reposado)
30ml lime juice
25ml Cointreau
15ml triple sec
120ml chilled beer (go for lager, ideally Mexican)
Lime wedge (garnish)

Method
Add everything except the beer, stir to combine, add a little ice, and pour beer over the top. How’s that for simple?

Shandy

Cocktails do not get simpler than this. If you order a Shandy, you’ll almost always get beer and lemonade, usually in a 50:50 split. It’s ideal if you want something thirst quenching but not too boozy, and also adds some bright and juicy sweetness to the crisp beer. If you don’t fancy lemonade, then try fruit juice or ginger ale. A Radler is basically the same thing too, but uses lemon soda instead.

Ingredients
120ml beer
120ml lemonade

Method
To avoid chaotic fizz levels, pour the beer first and top up with lemonade. Shandy complete.

Michelada

Becoming more and more popular stateside is the Michelada, a brunch style cocktail like the Bloody Mary but usually without the tomato. Traditionally it’s simply light Mexican beer with a dash of hot sauce and a salted rim and lime, but Worcestershire sauce also makes a nice addition. To make a Chelada, just ditch the hot sauce and pepper and up the lime.

Ingredients
250ml beer (light lager)
Dash of Mexican hot sauce
Salt and pepper rim
Lime for juice and garnish

Method
Mix salt and pepper on a plate (chilli powder too if you want more heat). Rub the rim with the lime and roll in the seasoning. Then, squeeze the lime and add to the rim before adding hot sauce, and topping up with lager. Unless your beer is ice-cold, add ice because the Michelada really is best served super chilled.

Beermosa

The Beermosa is a delightfully simple twist on the classic Mimosa. By replacing the sparkling wine with beer, you get a malty bitterness that tames the sweet citrus nicely. This beer cocktail is perfect for any time you want a little citrusy goodness with a beer kick.

Ingredients
120ml beer (try and get one with citrus notes)
120ml orange juice
Orange wheel for garnish

Method
Pour equal parts of beer and orange juice into a glass (no ice if they’re both chilled). Stir gently to combine the two and keep the bubbles alive, before a wheel of orange to finish the sunny look. Nom.

Black Velvet

A famous stout cocktail this time, the gorgeous Black Velvet. Created during the national mourning of Prince Albert in Victorian Britain, Guinness is almost always used (or a very dark stout) for its bitter, silky richness to offset the fruity and fizzing lightness of the sparkling wine. Surprisingly moreish so give it a try!

 Ingredients
100ml Champagne (Crémant or Cava is fine)
100ml Guinness

Method
Champagne first, then pour the Guinness over a spoon to layer it up nicely. Enjoy!

Every cocktail we love today was discovered through experimentation so try stuff out! Need inspiration? Check out our recent Daiquiri Twists here!

Meet Laager – The New Beer Made from Naan Bread

There’s a new contender for the best beer to enjoy with Indian food, and that’s because the sustainability-focused Crumbs Brewing has launched a lager that is literally made from naan bread.  

Fuelled by a desire to depart from the corporate world and create something positive, husband and wife duo Morgan and Elaine Arnell started Crumbs in 2017. Believe it or not, this naan project is just the latest in their bread transformations. Using unsold bread from their local bakery Chalk Hills, they set about brewing beers inspired by particular breads. For example, there’s Pale Ale using zesty sourdough and their Ruby Ale, made from richer, spicier rye.

They were missing one thing from their range though, commenting, “We’ve been exploring the idea of a light refreshing lager for some time. All our beers are very distinct from one another, and it was the obvious gap in our range. That kind of beer is always perfect with spicy food like a curry, so it made a lot of sense to explore using naan bread in the brew.”

As is the case around the table at a curry house, it wasn’t long before naan entered the conversation. They did some digging and discovered that manufacturers and retailers were wasting unsold and wonky naan. They then developed their recipe with the Nigella seed at the heart of it, a key ingredient in most naan bread that provides much of the unique taste we love.

The outcome is a super refreshing, light and slightly aromatic ‘laager’, with a gently floral finish. It sounds ideal for complimenting the flavours of the food, whilst cutting through the spice at the same time.

If you want to put their creation to the test yourself then you can order the tastefully designed 330ml bottles online, available in a 4 Bottle Gift Pack for £12, or you can pre-order the 12 Bottle Case for £29.

For more interesting beer flavours, why not check out Aldi’s Yorkshire Pudding Beer or Wild Beer Co’s Wasp Yeast Beer?

Aldi’s New Yorkshire Pudding Beer

For some it’s an essential part of the mighty Roast, for others it’s demoted to a take it or leave it bonus, and whilst we’re used to seeing it smothered in gravy, how does the Yorkshire pudding work in beer?

Channel 4 show Aldi’s Next Big Things gave thirty entrepreneurs the opportunity to get their unique creations onto the supermarket’s shelves, and it was Father and Son duo Harry and Howard Kinder from the award-winning Malton Brewery that jointly scooped the prize alongside Harry Specters Chocolate Bars.

Judges loved the creamy texture and froth of their unusual concoction, which contains half an actual Yorkshire pud in every bottle and comes out at only 3.6% ABV, so it’s pretty mild but I guess you’d expect that when a big portion of the recipe is a Yorkshire pudding. Malton Brewery says it’s based on the first-ever recipe for this beloved creation, written by Hannah Glass in 1747, so it’s vegetarian but unfortunately not vegan.

Incredibly, this isn’t the first product of this kind! In 2020, Leeds brewery Northern Monk partnered with Aunt Bessie’s to release a ‘Sunday Roast’ brown ale, using Yorkshires and roast potatoes, as well as a Jam Roly Poly number. The popularity of this new Malton Brewery product is next level, however, so who knows, maybe the humble roastie was holding the pudding back from its destiny as an essential beer flavouring after all?

You should be able to find it in your local Aldi now, with each 500ml bottle costing £1.49, and packs of four and eight also available if you can’t get enough of them. Keep your eyes peeled though because they recently sold out within hours of being restocked online.

There’s a conveyor of unusual festive food and drink combinations every year, and much of it can be dismissed as a novelty bit of fun, but maybe there’s more to this one? We haven’t tried it just yet, so please let us know if you have, and whether or not it lives up to the hype!

Could You Drink Pickle Beer?!

In recent years we’ve seen Aunt Bessie’s Jam Roly Poly beer, Warburton’s crumpet beer and even Seabrook Crisps’ Prawn Cocktail flavoured beer so naturally when this exciting bit of news popped up in our inboxes we had to share. Hold on to your hats folks because we are about to introduce you to the UK’s first ever… PICKLE beer!*

* No, this is not an April Fools!

Why Pickle Beer?!

On surveying 2000 people nationwide, Byron Burger, the company behind this brand new product, discovered that 51% of people agree pickles are a must in a burger. 1 in 2 people think that pickles add great flavour and texture to a dish and one third of 18-34 year olds think that pickles are a perfect hangover cure. So, taking all this onboard they have taken the plunge and given the pickle loving nation another pickle wonder to enjoy, pickle beer!

What Does It Taste Like?!

Byron pickle beer has a Saison base and combines a natural dry tart acidity with a subtle herbal fresh dill infusion leading to a crisp flavour with a tangy finish. The perfect pairing with your burgers whether they be meat, veggie or vegan… extra gherkins optional! You can find out what we thought of it in Ep 79 of our Bring a Bottle Podcast!

Find on Deliveroo: £4.99

Enjoyed this? Make sure you check out beer brewed from mushrooms and the perfect pint to pair with mayonnaise!