Having first appeared in its modern form sometime in the 18th century, the hip flask was, for a while at least, the reserve of the gentry. This is probably because they could afford them and afford to fill them, as well as being in possession of leisure time, unlike most of the lowly peasants.
Drinking in the field has always been a hot potato — relying on people to be sensible and not overindulge clearly has potential issues. On almost every sporting day out there will be that moment when a little nip from the hip flask is at its most appropriate. Perhaps there is a lull in proceedings or maybe after a particularly bitter session flanking in the wind.
But what is in the hip flask these days and why are some home-made concoctions perennial favourites and others one-hit wonders, at best?
There is simply nowhere else to start this little adventure than with sloe gin. What other home-made flask filler can hope to compete with the queen of home-steeped tinctures? From the lowliest shop-bought to the county show-winning hand-crafted, sloe gin abounds. And despite the current obsession in some circles with mixing it with fizzy wine — which is a mistake, guaranteed heartburn and a waste of sloe gin in my opinion — it continues to reign supreme.
Perhaps it is only tradition that cements it as a favourite; everyone remembers a relative or old rogue from their early years who was fond of a nip of the blackthorn brew. But ultimately it’s all about flavour. The sloe, an astringent and pectin-laden berry of complexity, is not much of a fruit on its own, but once cooked down with sugar startling things happen in the flavour department.
Denne historien er fra March 29, 2023-utgaven av Shooting Times & Country.
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Denne historien er fra March 29, 2023-utgaven av Shooting Times & Country.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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United we stand
Following United Utilities' decision to end grouse shooting on its land, Lindsay Waddell asks what will happen if we ignore our vital moors
Serious matters
An old gamebook prompts a contemplation on punt-gunning
They're not always as easy as they seem
While coneys of the furry variety don't pose a problem for Blue Zulu, he's left frustrated once again by bolting bunnies of the clay sort
Debutant gundogs
There's lots to think about when it comes to making the decision about when to introduce your dog to shooting
When the going gets rough
Al Gabriel returns to the West London Shooting School to brush up on his rough shooting technique
The Field Guide To British Deer - BDS 60th Anniversary Edition
In this excerpt from the 60th anniversary edition of the BDS's Field Guide To British Deer, Charles Smith-Jones considers the noise they make
A step too far?
Simon Garnham wonders whether a new dog, a new gun and two different fields in need of protection might have been asking too much for one afternoon's work
Two bucks before breakfast
A journey from old South London to rural Hertfordshire to stalk muntjac suggests that the two aren't as far detached as they might seem
Stalking Diary
Stalkers can be a sentimental bunch, and they often carry a huge attachment to their hill
Gamekeeper
Alan Edwards believes unique, private experiences can help keepers become more competent and passionate custodians of the countryside