Let’s Talk about Mixology, Part 29

by Amer Vargas

The Porto Flip

Having just trained a wonderful group of butlers in Lisbon, and following the suggestion of Victor Lucas, F&B Manager at the Palacio de Seteais there, I am pleased to introduce a wonderful cocktail that will make anyone want to travel to Portugal, where the main ingredient is produced.

The Porto Flip is really for experienced drinkers, as it presents both a high level of sugar and a high level of alcohol, the combination of which invites most people to remember they probably took too much of it a few hours after enjoying it a bit too much.

In any case, this sober looking but sweetly exquisite concoction is made with the following ingredients: 65 ml of Tawny Port wine, 35 ml of brandy, and an egg yolk. All the ingredients are mixed in the shaker with ice cubes for a few seconds, until the liquid turns into a nice froth.

It is presented in a classic martini glass.

The classic cocktail is finished with nutmeg powder, although some variations use cinnamon.

If you don’t achieve a proper froth, add a little cream to enhance not only the look but also the taste.

As a final variation, try adding a whole egg instead of just the yolk, which improves not only the texture but also the taste.

Put some Fado [melancholic and expressive singing from Lisbon, often associated with pubs, cafés, and restaurants, and dating back at least two centuries] in your CD player and sip your Porto Flip. Mmm-hmmm!

Mr. Vargas is the Institute’s President—feel free to contact him via email, AmerVargas @ modernbutlers.com

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.”