Apple Bourbon Milk Punch is a smooth, velvety cocktail made with bourbon, apple cider, freshly squeezed lemon juice, maple syrup, a hint of cinnamon, and milk. The milk curdles slightly during the process, clarifying the drink and giving it a silky finish. I love to pour it over crushed ice for a refreshing yet indulgent sipper—ideal for holiday gatherings or a cozy night in! This was a fun recipe to try, inspired by @drinkswithlucas on TikTok. If you enjoyed the flavors in this drink, you’ll love my Apple Cider Margarita, too!
What Is Milk Punch?
You might be thinking, what in the world is milk punch? Milk punch is a creamy, smooth drink made with alcohol, like bourbon or rum, mixed with milk or cream, sugar, and spices. It can also have flavors like cinnamon or vanilla. Some people drink it cold, while others enjoy it warm. The drink has been around for a long time, dating back to the 1600s in England, where it was sometimes called English Milk Punch. The first recorded written recipe for milk punch was published in 1711. Give it a try–I was pleasantly surprised at how the drink came together!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Bourbon: The alcoholic base in this drink is bourbon. It adds warmth and a smooth, rich flavor. Choose a bourbon you like to drink. If you prefer a substitute for bourbon, try using rye whiskey for a spicier kick, dark or spiced rum for a rich flavor, brandy for a smooth, fruity taste, or apple brandy to really bring out the apple flavor in each sip.
- Apple Cider: I have a delicious homemade apple cider that you could use in this drink. Plus, you would have some extra to enjoy on its own! Store-bought cider would also work.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a fresh, tangy kick to balance the sweetness. If using bottled juice, make sure it’s 100% lemon juice with no added sweeteners or preservatives for the best taste. You can swap this with lime juice if you like.
- Maple Syrup: Look for pure maple syrup for the most authentic flavor. It sweetens the drink and adds a hint of natural flavor. Honey or agave syrup can work as substitutes.
- Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon gives the punch a cozy spice. You can leave it out or use nutmeg for a different flavor.
- Milk: Whole milk makes the drink creamy and helps with clarification. Its higher fat content also curdles better than other types of milk, giving the punch a smooth texture.
Clarifying Milk Punch: Benefits and Tips For A Smoother Drink
Clarifying Apple Bourbon Milk Punch helps make the drink smoother and clearer. When milk mixes with acidic ingredients like lemon juice or alcohol, it can form solids. This happens because the cold temperature in the refrigerator makes the milk proteins react and clump together. After chilling, you can strain the punch through a coffee filter to remove these solids, leaving the drink smooth and clear. However, you can still enjoy the punch without straining it if you don’t mind a little cloudiness.
How To Strain Apple Bourbon Milk Punch Without A Coffee Filter
If you don’t have a coffee filter, you can use a fine-mesh sieve or strainer to strain the milk punch. (Just make sure it has small enough holes to catch the milk solids.) You can also try using cheesecloth. These will help remove any milk solids and give you a smooth, clear drink. Be patient with this—I waited for about an hour. The longer it sits, the smoother and clearer it will become, so it’s worth the wait! After clarifying, the mixture went from about 3 1/2 cups to 2 1/2 cups, as the milk solids were removed during the straining process. I can get about 4 drinks out of this.
What Does Apple Bourbon Milk Punch Taste Like?
I tried this milk punch after it had chilled for just 30 minutes and after chilling overnight. To be honest, I preferred the milk punch that was chilled for only 30 minutes before clarifying. It tasted like a refreshing apple cider with a few citrusy notes, and I liked it more than I expected! Plus, if you don’t like bourbon, the milk helps balance out the bitterness.
Can You Make Milk Punch Without Alcohol?
Yes, you can make milk punch without alcohol! Simply leave it out (in this case, the bourbon) and use ingredients like milk, sugar, spices (such as cinnamon or nutmeg), and even fruit juices for flavor. It’s a creamy, delicious drink that anyone can enjoy!
How Long Can You Store Apple Bourbon Milk Punch In The Refrigerator?
Apple Bourbon Milk Punch can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Be sure to store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh!
Apple Bourbon Milk Punch
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups (10 ounces) bourbon
- ¾ cup (6 ounces / 186 g) apple cider
- ½ cup (4 ounces / 122 g) lemon juice, freshly squeezed (about 4 large lemons)
- ⅓ cup (105 g) pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅔ cup (163 g) whole milk
- crushed ice
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the bourbon, apple cider, lemon juice, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Whisk until fully combined.
- In a separate large bowl, pour in the whole milk. Slowly pour the bourbon-apple cider mixture into the milk while stirring gently.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the mixture for at least 30 minutes, up to overnight.
- After chilling, pour the mixture through a coffee filter set over a clean bowl or pitcher to strain out any solids. (This will take about an hour.) Discard the milk solids left behind.
- Fill a lowball glass with crushed ice. Pour the strained mixture over the ice, and serve immediately. Cheers!
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
I didn’t think milk would work in a bourbon drink, but this is so smooth! The milk makes it creamy and comforting, and I was surprised by how well it all came together.
Elizabeth
Milk and bourbon? What? I like bourbon, but I wasn't sure about this drink. But, wow! I was pleasantly surprised at how refreshing it was! I tasted a lot of the apple cider, which I love. And, the bourbon was pretty muted. What an interesting and very sippable cocktail!
Selena
At first, I didn’t understand how milk would fit into this, but the clarified milk makes it so creamy and silky. I’m amazed at how it transformed the drink! It’s a surprisingly smooth and delicious combo.
I am not a drinker at all but this sounds delicious and I’m willing to try it out