I love eggnog, but I hate any cocktail recipe that takes more than say….10 minutes. When it comes to making drinks, I just don’t think ahead. So my holiday eggnog drinks tend to be pouring some bourbon or whiskey in almond-nog (Almond Breeze is my favorite!)
That is until I discovered the flip cocktail. Not only does it have the rich creamy consistency of eggnog but the classic recipe also requires….beer!
Flips were originally made with rum, sugar syrup, ale, and a whole egg. The mixture was then pieced by a poker straight from the fire turning it into a hot frothy concoction that will warm you from the inside out (and stave off your hunger, too!).
Now, we have a cocktail shaker to do the frothing. Plus, I tried to make a few of these hot and found it too much work to cover the cooked-eggy aroma that resulted (there were many cocktail bitters and fresh garnishes lost to these attempts).

This Flip has a holiday twist to make it even more like my beloved eggnog. A homemade holiday spice simple syrup that will go great in all of the dark liquor cocktails on your bar. The recipe follows the recipe for the cocktail…and don’t worry it only takes a few minutes to make in the microwave. Remember what I said about our 10 minute limit, ha!
I use a locally made whiskey in this recipe from Breuckelen Distilling. Not only is the whiskey made right over the river in Brooklyn but they also go out of their way to source ingredients from NY state. Especially during this year when our local communities are hurting, it feels good to shop local! (Speaking of local if you’re in Baltimore I suggest Sagamore Spirits, and if you’re in Colorado I suggest Distillery 291.)

Whiskey Holiday Flip Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz Local Craft Whiskey I used Breuckelen 77 Craft Whiskey
- ¼ oz Holiday Spice Simple Syrup recipe below
- 1 Whole Egg
- 1/2 cup Ice
- 2 oz Spiced Winter Ale pick a local favorite! I used Harpoon Winter Warmer
Holiday Simple Syrup
- 1 Cup Water
- 2 Cups Brown Sugar
- 2 Cinnamon Sticks (see note)
- 1 1/2 inch Cube Fresh Ginger (see note)
Instructions
- In a Boston shaker dry shake first 3 ingredients until very frothy. (Recipe for Holiday Simple Syrup below.)
- Add ice and shake just long enough to chill. (Moisture is the enemy of froth!)
- Open shaker and add beer to the top side. Stir it briefly to release some carbonation
- Shake with other ingredients just to mix
- Strain into your most festive glass!
- Garnish with fresh nutmeg or whipped cream
Make the Holiday Simple Syrup:
- In an at least 4-cup measuring cup, heat water in the microwave on high for 45 seconds.
- Add sugar and stir for 20-30 seconds until totally dissolved.
- Heat in the microwave and additional 45 seconds.
- Stir again and add cinnamon sticks and ginger.
- Heat in the microwave a final 30 seconds. Stir and let cool for at least 15 minutes.
- Strain into a squeeze bottle or other container for bar use
Notes

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