Christmas Port Flip
Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 12.9% ABV ∙
The Christmas Port Flip is a festive flip cocktail — ruby port and brandy shaken with egg yolk, cream, and cinnamon syrup, dusted with nutmeg. Silky and rich, with warm brandy, sweet ruby port, and cinnamon spice layered over a creamy egg-yolk body — an indulgent after-dinner sipper or holiday nightcap.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake all ingredients with ice: Ruby port 45 mlBrandy 30 mlSingle cream/half-and-half 40 mlCinnamon syrup 20 mlEgg yolk 1 pc
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Garnish with grated nutmeg
Tips
- Shake hard for 15–20 seconds so the egg yolk emulsifies fully — under-shaking leaves a thin, watery texture.
- Grate fresh nutmeg over the top just before serving; pre-ground powder loses its aroma quickly.
- Use ruby port rather than tawny for the brighter, fruitier profile this festive build wants.
History
The Christmas Port Flip is a seasonal riff on the Porto Flip, a classic combining port, brandy, and egg yolk. Jerry Thomas first recorded the drink in his 1862 book The Bartender's Guide: How to Mix Drinks; A Bon Vivant's Companion, though he listed it under the name "Coffee Cocktail" — a title that referred to its coffee-like appearance rather than any coffee content. The Porto Flip later became an official cocktail of the International Bartenders Association. This holiday version keeps the port-and-brandy-with-egg-yolk backbone and adds cream and cinnamon syrup for a warming Christmas character.
FAQ
What is a Porto Flip?
A Porto Flip is a classic flip cocktail made with ruby port, brandy, and a single egg yolk, shaken with ice and served chilled with grated nutmeg. This Christmas version keeps that base and adds cream and cinnamon syrup for a richer, festive profile.
What is a Christmas Port Flip made of?
A Christmas Port Flip is made with ruby port, brandy, single cream, cinnamon syrup, and one egg yolk, shaken together and finished with grated nutmeg. The port is the base, while the egg yolk and cream give it a thick, custardy body.
Is a Port Flip shaken or stirred?
Shaken. The egg yolk needs a hard shake with ice to emulsify into the port, brandy, and cream, creating the smooth, frothy texture that defines a flip. Stirring would leave it thin and unblended.
What's the difference between eggnog and a flip?
Eggnog uses the whole egg plus lots of milk and cream, making it thicker and often served by the batch. A flip uses just the egg yolk with a spirit or fortified wine and little or no dairy, giving a silkier, more concentrated single-serve drink.
What glass is a Port Flip served in?
A Porto Flip is traditionally served straight up in a chilled cocktail glass, without ice, and dusted with grated nutmeg. The short stemmed glass suits its small, rich single serving.
