Milk Punch Recipes

This old-fashioned drink is reminiscent of decadent egg custard. You can easily double or triple the speedy recipe to serve a bigger crowd.  Or, fine tune your culinary skills and tackle the more spectacular Holiday Pecan “Milk” Punch. 

Whenever, except when in New Orleans, I order a Milk Punch beverage, the bar tender and server alike are usually stumped. Invariably, I will provide the "basic" recipe and , if I plan ahead, I will bring my own freshly ground nutmeg.  Consequently, I am posting my favorite (bourbon or brandy) Milk Punch recipes.  Try them all, You will be a believer. 

Four Unforgettable Recipes

(1)  Dandy Milk Punch

Ingredients

    8 cups 98% fat-free vanilla ice cream

    3/4 cup bourbon or brandy

    4 teaspoons vanilla extract

    1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon $

    1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

    4 teaspoons bittersweet chocolate, grated

Preparation

Combine first 5 ingredients in a blender; process just until smooth. Pour 1/2 cup ice cream mixture into each of 12 glasses; sprinkle each serving with about 1/4 teaspoon chocolate. Serve immediately.

Cooking Light, DECEMBER 2007

(2)  Holiday Pecan “Milk” Punch

  Ingredients

    1 cup chopped pecans

    1/2 cup cane syrup

    1 tablespoon cream of coconut

    1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

    1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

    1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

    1 cup water

    1/4 cup bourbon or brandy

    Garnish: sweetened whipped cream, fresh mint leaves (optional)

Preparation

    Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan at 350° for 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring once. Cool 10 minutes. Process pecans, syrup, cream of coconut, cinnamon, vanilla, and kosher salt in a food processor 30 to 60 seconds or until smooth. With processor running, pour water through food chute. Press mixture through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a pitcher, using back of spoon. Discard solids. Cover and chill 3 to 24 hours. Stir in bourbon just before serving. Serve over ice. Garnish, if desired.

    Try This Twist!

    Milky Pecan Punch: Add 1 cup milk with bourbon. Makes: 3 cups.

Drew Stevens, Oxford, Mississippi, Southern Living

DECEMBER 2011

(3) New Orleans Bourbon Milk Punch

We usually only make this at Christmas time.  It always is a crowd pleasing favorite. This drink may be a little heavy on the Bourbon (my husband likes Maker's Mark) in our version, so you may want to cut it back. This recipe is for 1 cocktail:

Ingredients:

2 oz. Good Quality Bourbon or Brandy

1/2 oz. Vanilla Extract
1/2 oz. Simple Syrup
1 oz. Heavy Cream
2 oz. Whole Milk
1/4 of 1 Egg White

Add the contents to a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice. Shake until good and frothy. Serve in a frosted old fashioned glass. Garnish with:  Freshly Grated Nutmeg!

(4) Basic Bourbon Milk Punch Recipe

2 oz bourbon whiskey

3 oz half-and-half

1 tsp superfine sugar

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp grated nutmeg

In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine the bourbon (substitute brandy if your prefer), half-and-half, sugar, and vanilla extract. Shake well. Strain into a highball glass and garnish with the nutmeg.

Enjoy!