Holidaze 2010: Naughty and Nice Milk Recipes by Duggan McDonnell

Now that the holidays are in full swing, the pressure is on for party hosts to keep the energy flowing during holiday gatherings and offer drinks that satisfy a broad range of palates. To ease some of that stress, the nonprofit California Milk Processor Board (CMPB, Got Milk? campaign), has partnered with San Francisco’s Duggan McDonnell (Cantina, Encanto Pisco) to help thirsty imbibers celebrate the season with family and friends. McDonnell, named one of the “Leaders of the American Cocktail Revolution” by Food & Wine Magazine, has created exclusive milk-based recipes (with and without spirits) that call for ingredients that can be easily found in the kitchen: cinnamon, eggs, vanilla, nutmeg, and of course milk.

“Milk is an essential ingredient to holiday cocktails because it adds a creamy, supple texture to drinks,” says McDonnell. “Serving milk-based drinks to your guests unleashes a burst of flavors they – and their taste buds – will love.”

Last week, the CMPB hosted an event at Bar Lubitsch, where McDonnell mixed his milk creations and answered questions, while a hands-on demo gave attendees a chance to give his recipes a go. Among the highlights were the Caribbean Milk Punch (a variation on the Brandy Milk Punch, a New Orleans brunch classic) and the Pan Pacific Horchata, an East-meets-West take on the traditional Latin beverage. McDonnell’s recipes follow the jump, grouped into “Naughty” (with alcohol) and “Nice” (without).

For more information, visit www.gotmilk.com.

“NAUGHTY” HOLIDAY DRINKS

CARIBBEAN MILK PUNCH
Serves 8
Ingredients:

• 1 pint of milk
• 1 cup of spiced rum
• ¾ cup agave syrup
• Cinnamon powder to taste
• Nutmeg powder to taste

Directions:

• Whisk thoroughly in a large bowl until all of the ingredients are thoroughly integrated.
• Add ice, dust either with cinnamon or nutmeg powder and serve.

BREAKFAST GIMLET
Serves 8
Ingredients:

• 1 pint milk
• 1 ½ cups gin
• ¾ cup simple syrup
• ½ cup freshly squeezed lime juice

Directions:

• Whisk thoroughly in a large bowl until all of the ingredients are thoroughly integrated.
• Add ice and serve.

PAN PACIFIC HORCHATA
Serves 8
Ingredients:

• 1 pint milk
• 1 ½ cups Nigori Sake
• ½ cup homemade cinnamon syrup*
• ½ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 tbsp almond extract
• Cinnamon powder to taste

Directions:

• Whisk thoroughly in a large bowl until all of the ingredients are thoroughly integrated.
• Add ice, dust with cinnamon and serve.

NEW RAMOS FIZZ
Serves 10
Ingredients:

• 1 pint milk
• 1 pint of Pisco
• 5 egg whites
• 2/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2/3 cup simple syrup
• 10 drops Orange Flower water

Directions:

• Whisk thoroughly in a large bowl until all of the ingredients are thoroughly integrated.
• Add ice and serve.

*HOMEMADE CINNAMON SYRUP
Ingredients:

• 6 large cinnamon sticks
• 2 quarts water
• 1.5 quarts/6 cups white sugar

Directions:

• Slowly bring water and cinnamon sticks to boil, then let simmer for 30 minutes.
• Add sugar, turn heat up and boil sugar syrup.
• Stir thoroughly, remove from heat and chill overnight.
• Strain, then bottle for use.

“NICE” HOLIDAY DRINKS

P.B. & J GRANITA
Serves 8
Ingredients:

• 1 pint milk
• 4 tbsp creamy peanut butter
• 1 pack raspberries
• ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ½ cup simple syrup
• Ice
• Salt to rim glass

Directions:

• Add all ingredients to blender with ice.
• Blend thoroughly for 20 seconds and pour into individual glasses with a salted rim.

FROTHY EGGNOG
Serves 16
Ingredients:

• 1 quart milk
• 8 egg whites
• ½  cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp almond extract
• Cinnamon powder to taste
• Spicy chile powder to taste

Directions:

• Whisk thoroughly in a bowl until all ingredients are thoroughly integrated.
• Spike with an alcoholic elixir if so desired.
• Add ice and dust with a blend of cinnamon and spicy chile powder.

EARLY RISER
Serves 10
Ingredients:

• 1 pint of milk
• 1 pint of steeply-brewed Earl Grey tea
• 1 ½ cups homemade cinnamon syrup*
• ¾ cup freshly squeezed lime juice

Directions:

• Whisk thoroughly in a large bowl until all ingredients are thoroughly integrated.
• Spike with an alcoholic elixir if so desired.
• Add ice and serve.