If 2014 was the year that jars became ubiquitous for serving up various alcoholic concoctions, then prepare yourself for the next wave of convenient cocktails:
The flask.
Not a giant thermos that you might take out on a cold winter’s morning – we’re talking old-school hip flasks. Think of the sort of yesteryear charm that saw a dapper gent grab a swig from within the breast pocket of his suit, or a lady taking a hit from a flask secreted away with a garter belt (just ignore the practicalities of that for a moment, if you will!).
While the volume – up to 180mls – is a bit much for straight liquor, it makes the perfect serving size for mixed cocktails, and as such, is finding flasks are finding their way into the menus of new speakeasies across the United States.
Surely we will follow before too long.
In the meantime, why not mix up your own? There are a few tips to make sure you keep the perfect tipple for your particular times of need.
1. Buy a nice flask
You can pick them up from David Jones and other gift stores, but if you’re craving something really individual, check out any of the hundreds of offerings on Etsy. Some even come with the garters!
2. Pick your base spirit
You’re definitely better off choosing just one. Be it vodka, gin, whiskey or rum, the aim is to create something pleasurable rather than a rocket-fuelled combination of all four that will burn off every hair on your body and leave you incoherent before you’re halfway through. Be cool!
3. Apply your mixers
Measure out a small amount of your base spirit in a vessel roughly the same capacity of your flask. Now, start adding the mixer (Coke/juice/tonic, etc.). Just as your bartender would, dip a straw in the mix and close the top off with your finger and bring the open end to your mouth to test the recipe. To adjust, add more of one or the other, but be certain to keep track of how much or each ingredient it takes to reach the perfect taste.
4. Mass production!
Got the flavour sorted? Great! Now simply maintain the same ratio of spirit-to-mixer to create an amount in the same capacity as your flask. The good news is this also makes it easier to track exactly how much you’re drinking, as every 30mls of spirit equates to approximately one standard drink.
Finished that? Good. Here’s the last step.
5. Transfer to the flask
Don’t just try to pour it in there! You’ll spill your precious nectar all over the bench. Use a funnel! Once your flask is filled, seal and chill until you’re ready to go.
Good times are ahead, but don’t be a douche and use it to sneak booze into your local bar or club. Not only can it be illegal, it’s not the sort of thing that defines the cultured flask drinker.
Enjoy!
