Hipflasks- advice?

Sarky

They're dead handy, aren't they? There are just sometimes when a little nip of something is required, but where carting around the bottle is impractical.

But I've been wondering lately, am I making the most of mine, or even taking proper care of it?

So, do you have any advice on hipflasks? Are there types or brands that are better? How long can you keep spirits in there without ruining the taste? What's the best way to wash them out? What kinds of liquid should you NEVER put in them?

And so on. I'd love to hear some opinions.

Jack Sheehan

All I know is that you can gets ones with two compartments, instant cocktail!

senordingdong

This is something I've been wondering about too.
I have a few and just started using one of them again after a long time of not using them and I was wondering about cleaning it out properly.

I usually just rinse it with boiling water but it has been a long time since I last used it. I didn't get any strange taste off of it in the end, I suspect the alcohol played some part in that though!

_blank_

I need two cheap-ish hip flasks by Friday.

Anyone knoe where ot pick one up.

I'm on the north side of Dublin, from Finglas out to Swords, or City centre.

I'm not looking for anything fancy or mad expensive. Single use even would be alright, I can upgrade later if needed, but for Friday it needs to be cheap and readily available.

Cheers.

rubadub

The €2 shop in dun laoghaire had them when I was in about a month ago. I think it is the same €2 shop chain you see so others should have them.

If it is single use something else might do, like a small bottled water bottle. Or old medication bottle, I had an old cough syrup one.

Technocentral

I'd imagine a time machine trip back to the 1920's would be the de rigueur accessory to one of these.:D

irish_goat

Des wrote: »

I need two cheap-ish hip flasks by Friday.

Anyone knoe where ot pick one up.

I'm on the north side of Dublin, from Finglas out to Swords, or City centre.

I'm not looking for anything fancy or mad expensive. Single use even would be alright, I can upgrade later if needed, but for Friday it needs to be cheap and readily available.

Cheers.

You could buy a small quarter bottle of something like Malibu or Goldschlager which come in plastic bottles at that size and just pour the malibu into another container. They're just as handy as hip flasks I've found and disposable if you're going somewhere you might get searched.

irish_goat

Jack Sheehan wrote: »

All I know is that you can gets ones with two compartments, instant cocktail!

There's nothing stopping you putting 2 different spirits/liqueurs into one compartment ye know...

senordingdong

Des wrote: »

I need two cheap-ish hip flasks by Friday.

Anyone knoe where ot pick one up.

I'm on the north side of Dublin, from Finglas out to Swords, or City centre.

I'm not looking for anything fancy or mad expensive. Single use even would be alright, I can upgrade later if needed, but for Friday it needs to be cheap and readily available.

Cheers.

I have a few if you fancy.

_blank_

senordingdong wrote: »

I have a few if you fancy.

Where you located?

syklops

Des wrote: »

I need two cheap-ish hip flasks by Friday.

Anyone knoe where ot pick one up.

I'm on the north side of Dublin, from Finglas out to Swords, or City centre.

I'm not looking for anything fancy or mad expensive. Single use even would be alright, I can upgrade later if needed, but for Friday it needs to be cheap and readily available.

Cheers.

Argos had one in the gifts selection. The other place to get one is in the Stephens Green Shopping centre, on I think they top floor, there is a guy who engraves things and he has a small selection of them in there. They have a basic one which is about 20 euro but a decent size. Or try Fox's at College Green but I doubt they have any cheap ones.

To avoid having to wash them out, I only ever put whiskey or whisky in mine. Try not to mix the whiskies too much. Best of both worlds is have one for scotch, one for Irish and one for Bourbon (if one is Bourbon inclined). Brandy and Rum would also be acceptable. Otherwise thats about it. Don't ever put something like coke in it. Instead carry your coke separately, and top it up with Whiskey/Rum/whatever.

While I am sure it happens I have never seen someone have vodka in a hip-flask.

rubadub

syklops wrote: »

Don't ever put something like coke in it. Instead carry your coke separately, and top it up with Whiskey/Rum/whatever.

While I am sure it happens I have never seen someone have vodka in a hip-flask.

Coke might actually be good for cleaning it, since it has phosphoric acid which is great for cleaning stainless steel. Though coke for drinking would go flat very quick.

I have seen it recommended to clean with vinegar, then leave a baking soda solution in it, this would neutralise any leftover acid, and baking soda is also good for absorbing taste & smells.

I have seen people with vodka, smuggling to pour into mixers with ice. If having a sneaky nip of a drink warm vodka is not nice, although I do like it warm with pressed apple juice 50/50.

irish_goat

syklops wrote: »

While I am sure it happens I have never seen someone have vodka in a hip-flask.

Probably cause no one in Ireland really drinks vodka for sipping. It'd be common to see hip flasks of vodka in Scandinavia and the Baltics.

senordingdong

irish_goat wrote: »

Probably cause no one in Ireland really drinks vodka for sipping. It'd be common to see hip flasks of vodka in Scandinavia and the Baltics.

I like a glass of ice cold vodka every now and again.
Especially on a hot summers day.

senordingdong

Would anyone know if there would be an issue with leaving a drink in a flask over a long period of time?

syklops

senordingdong wrote: »

Would anyone know if there would be an issue with leaving a drink in a flask over a long period of time?

Shouldnt be a problem. By drink Im assuming something stable like whiskey?

senordingdong

syklops wrote: »

Shouldnt be a problem. By drink Im assuming something stable like whiskey?

Yep, whiskey indeed.

IrishWhiskeyCha

senordingdong wrote: »

Yep, whiskey indeed.

Depends how long you have left it? There is the posiblity of it getting a metallic taste but it will not kill you

I think the Glass lined versions are best for whiskey ...

senordingdong

IrishWhiskeyCha wrote: »

I think the Glass lined versions are best for whiskey ...

Yes but are they not frightfully expensive?