Ale Flip

Without question the Flip derives from what was known as an egg-flip which was a non-alcoholic beverage.

Here is an early mention of the egg-flip:

The adventures of Sir Launcelot Greaves - Page 94 by Tobias George Smollett in 1774

"Our new acquaintance asked us, if ever we had drank egg flip ?"

The Flip itself appears as early as Blackwood's magazine: Volume 13 - Page 383 in 1823

Bentley's miscellany: Volume 1 - Page 355 by Charles Dickens, William Harrison Ainsworth, Albert Smith in 1837

"Ask for something warm, — some negus, Grog, or gruel, or egg-flip, Put in this, and then drink quickly, — Tis so nauseous if you sip. ... Port and sherry, and some plums ; It will really be a comfort Should l wake e'er Romeo comes ! "

Recipes for this drink appear in print as early as:

The cook's dictionary, and housekeeper's directory - Page 254 in 1833

"FLIP (to make a Quart of).—Put the ale on the fire to warm, and heat up three or four eggs, with four ounces of moist sugar, a tea-spoonful of grated nutmeg or ginger, and a quarter of good old rum or brandy. When the ale nearly boils put it into one pitcher, and the rum, eggs, & into another; turn it from one to another till it is as smooth as cream."

This drink dates between 1780 and 1800 and contained at least: Heat then shake these ingredients: Ale

Whole Egg (whites and yolks)

Simple Syrup (Sugar and Water)

Fresh nutmeg grated across the top of the drink.