A few weeks ago I had a little potluck with some friends and family. I try to get everybody together at least once every few months, and one thing I really enjoy putting on is a different cocktail for each event. Being that this was likely the last potluck of the winter, (won't hold my breath...) I thought I'd give our begrudgingly beloved season a beverage-based goodbye.
I've been reading (or drinking if you prefer - I know I do) my way through Dale DeGroff's "The Essential Cocktail", and thought his take on the Brandy Milk Punch seemed like a good fit. I made a little adjustment, because obviously I know better than the king of cocktails. What I ended up with was a nice little lightly spiced, smooth drinking eggnog type beverage (sans egg), which self-proclaimed no-noggers proclaimed to "actually enjoy". Seems like a win.
Recipe
- 2 oz brandy (Recommend E&J VSOP)
- 1 barspoon Allspice Liqueur (Optional, but also recommended)
- 4 oz whole milk
- 1 oz simple syrup
- Nutmeg garnish
Combine liquid ingredients in a shaker with ice and give it a good long shake. Strain the now frothy mixture into a highball glass over ice, and sprinkle a little nutmeg on top (freshly grate whole nutmeg for best results).
I've recommended E&J VSOP. It's more pricey than their standard VS offering, but well worth it here, because it has some really fantastic winter friendly flavours like vanilla and maple. The allspice liqueur was my 'tweak' on the original recipe. If you can find some, it plays very nicely with the E&J.
Enjoy with some good food and good company while winter draws its last icy breath. Or weeping longingly for the return of spring with you and some leftover Valentine's chocolates you bought just because they were on sale.