Fuel for the field

Whether for Dutch courage or a warming glug on a winter's day, the secret ingredients poured into certain hip flasks are coveted across the country. Netia Walker discovers some of the best cocktails

- Netia Walker

IN the Middle Ages, it was not uncommon to store your alcoholic tipple in gutted fruit, while in the 18th century pigs' bladders were used as flasks. Thankfully, as time has marched on, the designs have become more appealing - and more pocket-friendly. Whether it is for Dutch courage or to add much-needed central heating to one's body on a cold day, leaving your flask at home on a day's trail-hunting is a schoolboy error. What you put in them and how you make it is an excellent conversational ice-breaker among your fellow thrill-seekers.

Whether you're riding or on foot at a wintry meet, or facing the elements at the local point-to-point, a good mix in the hip flask will keep you going all day long.

Hunt staff are often seen to drink whisky and milk at a meet. Nick Hopkins, retired kennel huntsman of the Beaufort, explains: "It is a well-known tradition in dairy countries, due to calling in on farmers on a morning hound exercise, having not had breakfast. The milk would help to line the stomach."

As so often with hunting people, there is logic to their decisions. However, in the words of Lord Dunsany, "Logic, like whisky, loses its beneficial effect when taken in too large quantities."

'Even the smell warms you'

1/2 FAMOUS GROUSE

1/2 STONES GINGER WINE

IT is always wise to keep on the right side of your huntsman, especially if he happens to be your husband, which is why the hip flask of Lizzie Chutter is full of Whisky Mac. She swears by a 50/50 mix of Famous Grouse and Stones Ginger Wine.

Having recently moved to the Pytchley, Lizzie has been quick to sniff out the most coveted flask.

"The best Pytchley flask has to belong to Paul Moxon: homemade ginger liqueur, even the smell warms you," she says.

It isn't only hip flasks that enhance a day's trail-hunting.