Sweet, spiced and very, very nice, the Milk Punch is an unexpected pleasure you’re sure to revisit.
Tonight’s cocktail has its origins in the days of yore, when the word cocktail wasn’t around to describe a mixture of spirits and other ingredients, like citrus and sugar. The recipe we’ll be making is a surprising one. The Milk Punch is exactly as its name suggests, a boozy punch made with milk. Growing up, one would often have to force a child to drink their milk, reminding them how it “does a body good.” But once you add some bourbon or brandy to a mixture of rum and cow juice, you won’t have to twist any adult’s arm to finish their glass.
Said to have its roots in the 1600s, the first known record of Milk Punch comes from William Sacheverell, who mentioned it in his travelogue from the Scottish island of Iona. In 1763, Benjamin Franklin wrote of his own version, featuring brandy, lemon and hot milk. And in the 1800s, Milk Punch had become a known favorite of Queen Victoria.
When I first saw the name, my nerdy mind started thinking about a scene in The Living Daylights, the James Bond film from 1987. A villainous henchman named Necros infiltrates an MI6 safehouse, posing as a milkman. He begins throwing bottles of what looks to be fresh, tasty dairy. But they explode on impact, causing a fair amount of damage. A real “milk punch”, so to speak.
Thankfully, tonight’s libation won’t erupt. Unless you drink way too many. Or you’re lactose intolerant.
What Is The Best Bourbon Or Brandy To Use In A Milk Punch?
When choosing which spirit will pair best with a dark and robust spiced rum, like a Kraken or bottle of Blackwell, it is best to think about what you’d like to experience in this drink. Bourbon will have notes of vanilla, caramel and hints of oak from the barrels it has been aged in. Brandy, which is fermented from grapes, will include a wide array of fruity flavors, including apples, peaches and plums. I personally enjoyed mixing this cocktail with some High West bourbon, as the aged spiciness sat comfortably amongst the creamy, milky elements.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce bourbon or brandy
- 1 ounce dark rum
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 dash vanilla extract
- 5 ounces whole milk to taste
- Crushed ice
- Ground nutmeg for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass filled with ice cubes, combine the bourbon, dark rum, sugar, vanilla extract, and whole milk.
- Stir the ingredients well to blend and chill the mixture.
- Strain the punch into a chilled rocks glass filled with fresh crushed ice. Lightly dust with ground nutmeg and serve immediately.
Nutrition
WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?
Fill a rocks glass with crushed ice before pouring your Milk Punch in. Sprinkle the top with a little fresh grated nutmeg for garnish.
WHAT IF YOU’RE LACTOSE INTOLERANT?
You can substitute the milk with whatever suits you best, like oat or almond milk, perhaps soy. Whatever satisfies your palate is what you should go with.
Similar Drinks To The Milk Punch
So, you like a creamy, smooth and pale concoction to wind down after a long week. If you’re curious about what kind of cocktail will quench your thirst and quell your cravings, check out some of these recipes from Twist & Toast. You might even find a new favorite this evening.
- Coquito – A Christmastime tradition, this coconut-flavored drink will disappear quickly, so make extra.
- Key Lime Martini – This creamy white tipple is like drinking a delicious pie.
- Ramos Gin Fizz – Bubbly and smooth, this frothy cocktail goes down easy.
- Coconut Mojito – This minty beverage will cure a dry throat on a hot day.
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