“Cooking is at once child’s play and adult joy.
And cooking done with care is an act of love.”
Craig Claiborne
Well, the clarified milk punch is all filtered out and ready to go live in the basement–
And yes, it will live in the fridge as I tend to be a little leery about anything made today
that dates back nearly 300 years.
It will remain indefinitely at the ready only to be happily pulled out,
poured and sipped as the occasion dictates.
As long as the pitcher load holds out, the glasses will be lifted.
So just to re-cap.
Remember we went from this on Monday…
It is a smooth sipper.
Refreshingly cool (as it is kept in the fridge)
With welcoming warm notes of spice–
And oddly, it is reminiscent of Apple cider with nary an apple in sight.
I actually like it–a lot.
As I researched all kinds of clarified milk punches—some called for various teas, and/or
pineapple or blood oranges instead of the lemons—
As well as anything from vodka to brandy to a variety of rums.
Being a bit of a purist, I wanted to try a recipe that was more historically correct
to what would be used by someone who was in the throes of the milk punch heyday.
Enter Benjamin Franklin.
My few changes to Mr. Franklin’s original recipe was to use 3 cups of cognac and
3 cups of dark spiced rum to make up for the 6 cups of brandy he called for–
So that is most likely as to why mine still has a tinge of brown vs yellow.
I also added 1 1/4 cups of sugar rather than just 3/4 cup—3/4 white 1/2 demerara
as the amount varied from one recipe to the next.
I think 1 cup of sugar would suffice.
It’s just that my lemons seemed to be bitter so I wanted to offset any added bitterness.
I added 6 fresh cardamon pods which adds a heady perfumey vibe.
1 whole anise star
A hardy dose of sprinkled cinnamon as well as the stick.
and 4 cups of the boiling milk rather than 3.
Some recipes recommend letting the concoction sit for weeks at a time…
other recipes said to store it in an oak barrel for a smoky aged edge…
I actually have two small home kitchen aging barrels I bought
a few years back for some small scale aging of spirits…but if I wanted a smokey taste…
I’d have simply opened a bottle of burnt peat, I mean scotch.
If I had opted to continue filtering over the next several days, the liquid would continue to lighten up
and clear up even more…but since the filtering through the coffee filters has taken
literally all day…I’m fine with some remaining cloudiness.
There were some recipes makers who opted to leave some of the milk solids in as they thought
it offered a bit of creaminess to a “creamless” drink—which might be more of a hybrid between
a typical milk punch and a clarified milk punch.
However, with all of that said…this is a lighter type of drink as well as very inviting…
If you like notes of warm fall spice, you’ll enjoy a small glass full.
I do fear however that if you don’t watch out, it might just lull your senses—
because if you get a little too comfortable you might just imbibe in one too many drams 🙂
Here’s a link to Ben’s recipe-
I think Ben would be proud…
Benjamin Franklin: Milk Punch Aficionado. Here’s His Recipe.
Again, Cheers!
Next, as the days grow darker and a bit colder, a more New Orleans style milk punch
just might be in order…stay tuned.
It loo.ks delicious. I’ll be waiting in the Caribou Lounge for your arrival
✈️🚗
Oh my goodness, Julie. This process is more complicated than making kraut! It sure sounds wonderful though. How much did the recipe make altogether? Not online very often now so this is the first time I’ve seen this one. I’m going to save this recipe for some day when I have an energy spurt and can begin the process. It just looks wonderful, and who would even know it was kinda cloudy if you put it in a pastel glass!
Well Angie— how in the world are you?!
Hope all is well in Kentucky!!
The recipe I used made about two pitchers worth- probably slightly less than a gallon. Since it doesn’t go bad— it’ll just keep in the fridge or inMr. Franklin’s case, a riot cellar 😄
Even sitting filtered, any remaining settlement will collect on the bottom. They say you can shake it or pour as is—it’s a nice fall sipper 😎
I followed your link to Mr. Franklin’s recipe and put your list of revisions at the bottom so I can try it out. I’m going to cut it in half though since I have limited fridge space and no riot cellar. It looks so wonderful and warming for a cool evening.
I’m doing ok — no falls for several months now which is a good change.
No you don’t have a root cellar in that apartment of your Angie :)—and I think cutting the recipe in half would be perfect! I say cut the sugar…the origianl called for 3/4 cups and I added 1 1/2—I think right at one cup would be about right—
let me know how it turns out 🙂
I sure will Julie. But first I’ll have to make a run to the grocery for a couple of the ingredients. I made vanilla out of my vodka and the only other booze here is bourbon. Kentucky you know. I’ll be going when our weather clears up
Can’t wait to try it.
Whose to say Ben would be upset with a Kentucky gal using bourbon— I say go for it!!!!
It was rather a whirlwind of a trip. 40 hours travel one way. Had a lot of difficulties traveling this trip. The teaching and the ministry and the people was good. I need to catch up eventually with your blog
Just know our grandson’s surgery Friday was a success and I’ve not blogged since since I’m staying in Atlanta with him as he recoups. They’re taking the mayor to daycare so I can devote my attention to him because if she was here all day it would be Katie bar the door!
She is wild and a full blown terrible two— brother and I will pick her up in the afternoons— I’m praying for strength and stamina— it doesn’t help their house is upside down to a kitchen and bathroom overhaul— just a little stress running through this house 😬
Praying for you to have God’s strength
Thank you Jim— I need all the prayers I can get this week!!!
WIll be praying