The hip flask is one of the great advancements in civilized rule-breaking.
Passed down — and around — for centuries as man’s clandestine, booze-filled companion.
Aliases: the liquid handshake. The personal nightcap. The ire of authorities everywhere.
To pay proper homage, we hit up seven of the nation’s best drinkmakers for their favorite “flask cocktail.” This is The Cocktail Quarterly, Vol. X.: Shoot from the Hip.
Refined flaskmanship for the vagabond drinker, if you will.
Now, before you dig in, a few steadfast guidelines on flask-cocktailing to keep in mind:
Citrus is out. Any stirred cocktail will work … so long as you stay away from anything perishable.
Account for dilution. No ice, no problem. But general rule of thumb: if you make a cocktail without stirring it over ice, that cocktail will lose the expected dilution that ice typically lends it.
Must taste good warm. When you commit to the flask, remember it’ll be on your person. Losing the chill crisp taste is a given, so plan accordingly.
Pack a punch. Standard flask size: six ounces. Be economical with your mixers. Obviously a cocktail won’t get the job done as well as, say, anything straight up — but the object here is taste, not just buzz.
Share and share often. It’s what a gentleman would do.
We’ve also got seven flasks to pair with whatever beverage tickles your fancy, and all the hooch inside is shoppable — in under an hour, no less — thanks to our booze-peddling pals at Drizly (check out their coverage map to see if they deliver in your city).
Courtesy of Ryan Wainwright | Terrine, Los Angeles
3 oz. Dolin Blanc
1 oz. Old Tom Gin
Prepare directly in the flask. Says Wainwright: “Ensembles are one of my favorite classes of mixed drinks that is all but forgotten. This drink is so easy, and damn it if isn’t a good shot, sipper or flask drink.”
Cigar Flask
VISOL
22.98
Courtesy of Tom Macy | Clover Club, NYC
2 oz. Russell’s Reserve 6 Year Old Rye
.5 teaspoon simple syrup
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
1 dash orange bitters
1 dash Jerry Thomas Decanter Bitters (optional)
Stir cocktail over ice and pour into flask. For a 6 ounce flask, double the measurements. And if going straight into the flask, add 1 ounce of water to account for dilution.
HAIR OF THE DOG FLASK
IZOLA
21.98
Courtesy of Juan Arboleda | Whiskey Social, NYC
2 oz. Templeton Rye Whiskey
2 oz. Martell VSOP Cognac
2 oz. Dolin Blanc Vermouth
1 bar spoon of Benedictine
2 dashes peychard bitters
2 dashes aromatic bitters
Stir ingredients together over ice and funnel into flask.
Copper Flask
Jacob Bromwell
199.98
Courtesy of Sarah Rahl | Four Seasons, Austin
6 oz. serrano-infused Illegal Joven Mezcal*
6 dashes of Orange Bitters
1.5 oz. Ancho Reyes Liqueur
Use six ounces of the above mentioned mezcal in a mixing glass, along with six dashes of orange bitters, and a bar spoon of Ancho Reyes chili liquor. With a few ice cubes, stir this drink mildly for about 5-8 seconds so as to get the temperature without diluting the content in ice.
*Steep serrano peppers into the Mezcal and let sit for at least 48 hours
Ceramic Flask
Misc. Goods Co.
78.98
Courtesy of Priscilla Young | Travelle Restaurant, Chicago
6 oz. Elijah Craig 12
1.5 oz. Leopold’s New York Sour Apple Liqueur
2 oz. Fernet Amaro
Prepare directly in flask.
Hip Flask
Bush Smarts
29
Courtesy of Dustin Olson | Drexler’s, NYC
3 oz. Russel’s Reserve 10 Year Bourbon
3 oz. Domaine Dupont 8 Year Calvados
3/4 oz. Cocktail & Sons Spiced Demerara Syrup
3 dashes Angostura Bitters
3 dashes Regan’s Orange Bitters
Build ingredients in a mixing glass. Add ice and stir for about ten seconds. Strain into flask. To add a final aromatic touch, express a lemon or an orange peel (or both) over the mouth of the flask.
8 oz. Flask
Stanley
22.98
Courtesy of Anthony Bohlinger | Chefs Club by Food & Wine, NYC
1.5 oz. Snow Leopard Vodka
1 oz. Barbieri Aperol
1 oz Strawberry infused Dolin Blanc Vermouth*
2 drops of Bittermens Orange Cream Citrate Cocktail Syrup
In a mixing glass, add all ingredients, add ice. Stir for 15 seconds, and strain into a a chilled rocks glass with a big ice cube.
*Muddle 10 cored strawberries (washed) in a cambro with a bottle of dolin blanc. Let sit for 3 hours, and strain out and refrigerate.
Titanium Flask
TOAKS outdoors
39.98
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