Few cocktails can raise eyebrows or grab attention quite like the classic milk punch. You may find yourself wanting to skip this classic and quite-old cocktail entirely, but it's a cocktail that's all the rage, served both traditionally and clarified. Don't get caught up in the next step, though. Take a sip and dive right into the world of milk punch recipes.
Milk Punch Is Not Just Eggnog
Eggnog is a type of milk punch, but all milk punches aren't eggnog. A classic milk punch, such as bourbon, for example, uses bourbon, milk, and simple syrup. Eggnog is a variation of milk punch, but they're certainly not the same thing. You'll find that eggnog adds sugar in addition to whole milk and heavy cream. Oh, and don't forget the eggs.
Milk punch is a creamy concoction that's quite tasty in all its forms. And milk punch also makes the sweetest, smoothest, non-milky cocktails around. How is that possible?
Clarified Milk Punch
Clarified milk punch uses citrus and warm dairy, such as milk, to mix together and force the dairy to curdle. After the flavors become acquainted, you slowly and carefully filter the curdled mix and capture the now clear liquids to create your clarified drink. The result is a surprisingly delicious cocktail.
Dairy-Free Milk Punch
So, what if you're dairy-free? Can you make dairy-free milk punch? Sure can, new member of the Milk Punch Club! Pick your favorite non-dairy or vegan milk option, be it almond, coconut, cashew, or whatever you usually use. Stick to plain or vanilla flavors. Chocolate or other atypical flavors might not mix as well.
Bourbon Milk Punch Recipe
If you're hesitant of jumping in with a bourbon milk punch, or if Netflix's Drink Masters gave you a bit of curiosity, think of this as the next step in your progression of White Russian exploration. Now, doesn't that feel much more familiar? Perfect. Let's get shaking!
Ingredients
- 3 ounces whole milk
- 2 ounces bourbon
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Ice
- Grated nutmeg and star anise for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, whole milk, bourbon, simple syrup, and vanilla extract.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with grated nutmeg and star anise.
Brandy Milk Punch
Remember how you bought powdered sugar for your from-scratch baking aspirations, and now you still need to use it up? Well, this recipe won't use it up, but it's a start. Maybe a brandy milk punch will get your baking dreams kickstarted. Again.
Unlike baking, you can sample your product as you go, so feel free to add more powdered sugar or vanilla extract according to your taste. If you're not a powdered sugar house, feel free to use a half ounce of simple syrup instead.
Ingredients
- 3½ ounces whole milk
- 2 ounces brandy
- ½ tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1-2 dashes vanilla extract
- Ice
- Grated nutmeg and cinnamon stick for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, whole milk, brandy, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with grated nutmeg and a cinnamon stick.
Tequila Milk Punch
Tequila milk punch? In this economy? Absolutely. Another popular version of tequila milk punch is to make it clarified. Weekend idea: make both and enjoy them side by side. For science! An añejo or reposado tequila works best in the tequila milk punch, but you can always sample a silver tequila or mezcal with your milk punch. Cocktails are for experimenting, after all. This recipe calls for a Nick and Nora glass for the milk punch, but you can always serve it over ice in a rocks glass, too.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, whole milk, añejo tequila, simple syrup, vanilla extract, and bitters.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a Nick and Nora or coupe glass.
- Garnish with grated nutmeg.
Espresso Milk Punch
If you're someone who has been dreaming of a cocktail that's a bit stronger than an iced Irish coffee but reminiscent of a White Russian, then prepare to have your wishes granted.
Ingredients
- 4 ounces whole milk
- 2 ounces bourbon
- ¾ ounce espresso
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 1-3 dashes vanilla extract
- Ice
- Grated nutmeg for garnish
Instructions
- In a rocks glass, add ice, whole milk, bourbon, espresso, simple syrup, and vanilla extract.
- Stir to mix.
- Garnish with grated nutmeg.
Spiced Rum Milk Punch
Just when you were starting to wonder if this was one punch that wouldn't invite rum to the party, bam! Here it is. And, of course, if spiced rum doesn't work for you, skip down to the following recipe for a dark rum twist.
Ingredients
- 3½ ounces whole milk
- 1½ ounces spiced rum
- ¼ ounce dark rum
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- 1-2 dashes vanilla extract
- Ice
- Grated nutmeg and cinnamon stick for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, whole milk, spiced rum, dark rum, simple syrup, and vanilla extract.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with grated nutmeg and a cinnamon stick.
Caribbean Milk Punch
Dark rum shines in a smooth and enticing milk punch that looks just as great in your hand in the summer or by the fireplace as you toast the holiday season. We love a cocktail with seasonal range.
Ingredients
- 3 ounces whole milk or heavy cream
- 1½ ounces dark rum
- ½ ounce bourbon
- ½ ounce vanilla simple syrup, to taste
- Ice
- Grated nutmeg for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, whole milk, dark rum, bourbon, and vanilla simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with grated nutmeg.
Chocolate Raspberry Milk Punch
Wait, wait, wait, just wait. This is no different as a chocolate-dipped raspberry milk punch recipe than it is a chocolatey raspberry mudslide. Now that it sounds amazing, aren't you curious about your next favorite dessert drink? You can skip the candy cane if you're not serving this during the holiday season.
Ingredients
- Simple syrup and grated chocolate for rim
- 3 ounces whole milk
- 1½ ounces brandy
- ¾ ounce raspberry liqueur
- ¾ ounce chocolate syrup
- Ice
- Candy cane for garnish
Instructions
- To prepare rim, dip the rim of the glass in simple syrup.
- With the grated chocolate on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the grated chocolate to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, whole milk, brandy, raspberry liqueur, and chocolate syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the prepared glass.
- Garnish with a candy cane.
Punching Your Ticket to the Milk Punch Party
It's time to be part of the ones in the know; that is, the ones who know about the hidden-in-plain-sight secret that is milk punch. Whichever spirit you use or however you decide to flavor it, milk punch is a centuries-old cocktail to sip over and over (and over) again.
