This Long-Forgotten Drink Is Crème Brûlée as a Cocktail — Meet the Boston Flip

The Boston Flip — A Cocktail the World Forgot

Some drinks dominate Instagram. Others show up on every menu — Aperol Spritz, Espresso Martini, Old Fashioned. And then there’s the Boston Flip — a forgotten classic from the early 20th century that deserves way more attention.

Why are we writing about it? Because this is one of those cocktails that surprises you with every sip. Creamy, smooth, with a subtle egg and warm spice quality — like crème brûlée in liquid form. Seriously. And you don’t have to take our word for it — just try it.

Where Did the Boston Flip Come From?

The history of flips stretches back to 18th-century sailors. Originally, a flip was a hot drink made from beer, rum, and sugar, heated by plunging a red-hot iron rod into the mug (hence the name). Over time, it evolved — by the 19th century it appeared in bars as a cold cocktail with egg, and by the early 1900s it showed up in Frank Newman’s *American-Bar* and the legendary *Mr. Boston Deluxe Bartender’s Guide*.

The classic Boston Flip is simple: rye whiskey, Madeira wine, sugar, and a whole egg. Sounds basic? Wait until you taste it.

The Modern Version — How They Do It in LA

In Los Angeles, at the bar Tomat, bartender Miley Aryucharoen (one of Punch’s Best New Bartenders of 2026) decided to reinvent this forgotten cocktail. And she’s doing it brilliantly.

Instead of a plain whole egg, Aryucharoen uses a proprietary „custard base” — a creamy blend of roasted pistachios, whole milk, heavy cream, sugar, spices, brandy, and dehydrated egg yolk powder (made in-house from surplus yolks left over from the restaurant’s popular pavlova). This base does triple duty: it sweetens, flavors, and thickens the drink all at once.

The spirit-to-modifier ratio? 5:1 — decidedly more spirit-forward than the original 1:1. She goes with Rye & Sons, a whiskey with pronounced spice notes that stands up to the rich custard at nearly 100 proof.

Instead of Madeira (which she finds can veer into „caramel soy sauce territory”), she opts for cream sherry — specifically Lustau East India Solera. Nutty, slightly oxidative, with subtle raisin notes. The perfect companion for rye.

Seasonal Variations — Not Just a Winter Drink

Flips are traditionally seen as cold-weather drinks — rich, thick, perfect by a fireplace. But Aryucharoen wants to change that perception. At Tomat, the Boston Flip changes with the seasons:

• **Summer version** — pistachio-forward, with cinnamon sugar on top
• **Winter version** — pumpkin spice variation, garnished with nutmeg and cinnamon sugar

The result? A cocktail that tastes like your favorite dessert — creamy, sweet, with a delicate egg and spice aroma. As Aryucharoen puts it: „If you like a crème brûlée… you’re gonna like this.”

What Is a Flip and Why Should You Know About It?

A flip is a category of cocktails made with egg — one of the oldest ingredients in mixology history. Egg gives drinks a velvety texture and creaminess that nothing else can replicate. This isn’t an „egg drink” — it’s a drink that tastes like dessert.

In Poland and many European countries, flips barely exist on bar menus. And that’s a shame. Because they’re the perfect event cocktail — elegant, surprising, and easy to customize (as you can see, seasonal versions are standard).

DIY — A Home Version

If you want to try a simplified Boston Flip at home:

Ingredients:

• 60 ml (2 oz) rye whiskey
• 15 ml (0.5 oz) cream sherry (or sweet vinho verde)
• 10 ml (0.33 oz) simple syrup
• 1 whole egg
• A few dashes of Angostura bitters

Method:

1. Shake all ingredients with ice for 15–20 seconds

2. Double-strain into a cocktail glass

3. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg or pistachio dust

Simple? Yes. Surprising? Absolutely.

The Bottom Line

The Boston Flip proves that classics don’t need to be trendy to be brilliant. It’s a cocktail that bridges history and modern craft — from 18th-century sailor’s grog to today’s chic cocktail bars.

If you’re planning an event and looking for something extraordinary, think about flips. Elegant, seasonal, surprising. Perfect for corporate events, weddings, and festivals.

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Meta description: The Boston Flip — forgotten cocktail with egg, rye whiskey & sherry, tastes like crème brûlée. Perfect for events. Book bar service!