Are you looking for a novelty gift to make your friends smile? Our guide to the best umbrella flask may be just the thing you’re looking for!
What is an umbrella flask? How do they work? What should you look for, and how can you ensure they look realistic? Are there any safety or legal concerns around using an umbrella flask? We’ll answer all those questions and more, plus we’ll also recommend 5 of our favorite umbrella flasks to try.
The bottom line up front: the BoozeBrella by Smuggle Mug is a great all-rounder, it also looks and feels realistic. It has a decent capacity, and it’s pretty leak-proof too!
We’d also recommend:
- GoPong Rain or Shine Umbrella Flask is excellent if you want to give a flask to a friend too
- Binocktails Bev-Brella Umbrella Flask is perfect if you want something with a larger capacity
We’ll be looking at:
- What an umbrella flask is
- What to look for in an umbrella flask
- Our top 5 recommendations including their key features, pros, and cons
- Some frequently asked questions
- Which one we like the best, and why we like them so much
Table of Contents
- Best Umbrella Flasks Compared
- What is an Umbrella Flask?
- What to Look for in an Umbrella Flask
- Top 5 Best Umbrella Flasks
- Frequently Asked Questions
- To Sum Up …
Let’s start by looking at how our top umbrella flasks compare to each other.
Best Umbrella Flasks Compared
What is an Umbrella Flask?
An umbrella flask is a container you can fill with a drink of your choice, with a (usually removable) cover to make it look just like a small umbrella.
At a glance, these are realistic enough to trick your friends, and they make a great novelty gift. They’re also handy to have around on cold nights with friends if you want the occasional swig to keep you extra warm around the fire pit.
Some people use them to sneak drinks into venues or events, but there are some risks involved in that!
What to Look for in an Umbrella Flask
Here are a few key things you should look for in an umbrella flask:
Realism
The realism of an umbrella flask depends on a few features. First, a realistic umbrella flask will not look cheap and will have a layer of padding around the flask. This will help protect it and prevent it from presenting like an obvious flask in your hand when holding it.
If you want to bring your umbrella flask to an event, bear in mind that security may check your bags and confiscate the flask, and they may be wise to this kind of trick even if your umbrella flask looks super realistic! In addition, some venues may ban these types of flasks, so you’ll have to be prepared to lose it if you want to risk sneaking it in.
Capacity
Umbrella flasks vary in capacity, with the average flask containing around 12 shots worth of liquid. If you want to share with friends, it’s worth going for a larger capacity, but bear in mind that the flask will be heavier even before filling it with liquid.
Ease of Use
It can be tricky to neatly pour liquor into a small flask, which is why it’s worth looking for an umbrella flask with a funnel or pouring spout to make it easier.
You should also look for an umbrella flask with a removable cover. This makes it much easier to wash the flask, and you won’t have to wait for the cover to dry every time.
Sealing
Nobody wants a drink leaking into their purse or pocket, which is why it’s important to double-check how leakproof your umbrella flask is before using it.
Some have a high-quality leak-proof lid, and others come with small caps to help keep the liquid sealed inside. It’s best to hold onto these, as you’ll need them if your flask accidentally tips over during transport!
Top 5 Best Umbrella Flasks
Here are our top 5 recommendations for umbrella flasks. We’ll let you know the key details, and we’ll give you the lowdown on how realistic they are, too. We’ll also give you the scoop on their capacity and any extra features they might include.
BoozeBrella by Smuggle Mug – Good All-Rounder
Key Features
- Capacity: 9 ounces / 266 milliliter
- Dimensions: 9 x 3 x 3 inches / 22.9 x 7.6 x 7.6 centimeters
- Weight: 2.3 ounces / 65.8 grams
The BoozeBrella by Smuggle Mug is a good all-rounder. It looks just like an umbrella, with a removable cover. The flask has bubble wrap around the plastic reservoir to protect the contents, making it look more realistic. It comes in several colors and styles.
The lid is leakproof, holding 9 ounces of liquid. In addition, it’s made from food-grade materials and is BPA-free.
It looks super realistic, however it does need to be full to the brim to prevent any splashing noises from the liquid. It comes with 3 cap seals, helping to keep the contents contained securely. The downside is that if you lose those caps, you will likely experience some leaking if you don’t carry the flask upright.
Pros
- 3 leak-proof caps included
- Looks realistic
- BPA-free
Cons
- If the caps are lost, the bottle may not be leak-proof
GoPong Rain or Shine Umbrella Flask – Best Multipack
Key Features
- Capacity: 12 ounces / 354.9 milliliters
- Dimensions: 10 x 4.9 x 2.6 inches / 25.2 x 12.6 x 6.6 centimeters
- Weight: 3.4 ounces / 95 grams
The GoPong Rain or Shine Umbrella Flask is excellent value. It contains 2 flasks, so it makes an ideal set for a couple or if you want to share drinks with friends.
They’re quite leakproof, holding around 12 shots worth of liquid each. They also include a pouring spout and funnel, making them incredibly to use on the go. They’re made from food-grade materials, so they’re also safe to use.
The downside is that the covers are not removable, making them more challenging to clean. Their material feels slightly cheaper than some of the others on this list. For example, the button isn’t real, it’s just a sticker. They would pass as flasks during a quick security check, but they may not pass as the real thing if they were further examined.
Pros
- Good value
- Leakproof
- Comes with fennel and pouring spout
Cons
- Looks slightly ‘cheaper’ than some of the others on this list.
Binocktails Bev-Brella Umbrella Flask – Best Capacity
Key Features
- Capacity: 13 oz / 384.5 milliliters
- Dimensions: 12 x 2.5 x 2.4 / 30.5 x 6.4 x 6.1 centimeters
- Weight: 3.2 ounces / 90.7 grams
The Binocktails Bev-Brella Umbrella Flask has a large capacity, holding over 13 oz (384.5 ml). The cover has an elastic band to keep it securely attached.
It has a leak-proof cap, so you won’t need to use lid seals to keep the liquid from leaking. It’s easy to clean, and it’s safe to use. If you don’t want to bring multiple flasks, this is the one to go for.
It looks quite realistic, but if examined closely, it may not look as convincing as some of the others on this list. Also, similar to the others, you’ll need to make sure it is full to the brim in order to prevent it from making any tell-tale splashing sounds from the liquid.
Pros
- Large capacity
- Leak-proof cap
- Looks pretty realistic
Cons
- Not as realistic as some of the others on this list
Premium Hidden Flask Set – Best Smaller Capacity
Key Features
- Capacity: 9 oz / 255.1 milliliters
- Dimensions: 10 x 3 x 1.9 inches / 25.4 x 7.6 x 4.8 centimeters
- Weight: 2.4 ounces / 67.8 grams
The Premium Hidden Flask Set is lightweight to carry, so you won’t have to worry about the frame being heavy even before it’s filled. It has a removable cover, so it’s easy to clean. The capacity is a slightly smaller, but it’s ideal for a night out.
It has a leak-proof lid, and it comes with several caps to provide an extra layer of leak protection, although these do come off easily. It’s made from food-grade plastic, so it’s safe to use.
It looks quite realistic. The company also manufactures flasks disguised as sunscreen, freezer blocks, or body lotion, but these aren’t as realistic as the umbrella, so we’d recommend going for this one instead.
Pros
- Has a leak-proof lid and extra caps
- Lightweight
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Caps come off easily
Smuggle Your Booze Umbrella Flask – Best Value
Key Features
- Colors: Black
- Capacity: 9 oz / 255.1 milliliters
- Dimensions: 11 x 3.3 x 1.9 inches / 27.9 x 8.4 x 4.8 centimeters
- Weight: 0.3 ounces / 9.1 grams
The Smuggle Your Booze Umbrella Flask is a super lightweight flask, and it’s excellent value. It comes in black, with a removable cover, making it easy to clean.
It has a leak-proof lid, and it’s made from robust and sturdy plastic. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a funnel or caps for extra sealing power.
It’s realistic to look at, but it doesn’t feel the most realistic to hold. It doesn’t come with a layer of padding or bubble wrap underneath the cover, so it feels like a flask when you carry it. So that’s something to bear in mind. Nevertheless, it makes a great novelty gift.
Pros
- Comes with removable cover, so easy to clean
- Leak-proof lid
- Lightweight
- Great value
Cons
- Not the most realistic to hold
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you go, here are some frequently asked questions about umbrella flasks:
Is it legal to use an umbrella flask?
It depends on where you are in the world. For example, it is illegal to use a hip flask in some places in the United States due to open container laws. So it’s always worth checking before using it, in case you inadvertently break the law!
You cannot carry umbrella flasks on a plane for obvious safety reasons. Check the liquid rules on the TSA website for more details. You may be able to transport an empty umbrella flask onto a plane in hold, but it’s worth checking with your airline first.
Do umbrella flasks function as actual umbrellas?
No, they don’t! They only function as a flask, so they won’t be of much use in bad weather. If it’s raining and you need to stay dry, you may have to bring along a waterproof jacket or coat instead.
Can I carry hot liquids in an umbrella flask?
No, they’re not designed to be used this way. This is especially true if the bottle is plastic as it can degrade over time if you fill it with hot liquid, which can be dangerous.
You’ll have to use a regular flask to keep warm liquids inside.
Are there any safety concerns?
No, as long as you look for a flask made from food-grade materials. You can even get BPA-free umbrella flasks, which means it is free from bisphenol A, a potentially harmful substance found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins.
Other than that, umbrella flasks should be pretty safe to use. It’s always a good idea to give them a quick wash before your first use, just to make sure it’s clean and ready to go.
How can I clean my flask?
You can clean it easily using warm soapy water, and you can add a little baking soda if you’ve noticed an odor starting to appear. In addition, you can check out the REI Co-Op guide on how to clean a water bottle for more details on how to clean any type of water bottle or flask.
(As a side note, if you’re looking for more tips on keeping your gear clean, try our guide on how to wash a tent which can give you some pointers).
To Sum Up …
If we had to pick one umbrella flask, we’d go for the BoozeBrella by Smuggle Mug. It looks exactly like an umbrella, the cover is removable, and it has an excellent leakproof lid. It’s also BPA-free, which is a bonus if that is important to you.
If you have a friend that would enjoy an umbrella flask too, try the GoPong Rain or Shine Umbrella Flask. They’re great value and also come with a pouring funnel, which is incredibly convenient.
Finally, if you want something with a bigger capacity, we’d recommend the Binocktails Bev-Brella Umbrella Flask. The cover is securely attached, and the lid is leak-proof, which is excellent. Just be prepared to fill it up to the brim to stop it from exposing any liquid sounds!
We hope this has helped you to find the best umbrella flask. If it has, please share it online with your friends and family. We’d also like to hear your thoughts: have you used an umbrella flask before? Do you have any recommendations? Leave us a comment below!