Clarified Milk Punch Recipe – CMP No 6

Yield – Quantity 3, 18 oz bottles

Procedure First Week

1.  Add cardamom pods to mortar and break spices with the pestle into rough pieces.

2.  Move spice pieces to a skillet and toast over low heat, swirling skillet gently so as not to burn spices.  Remove skillet from heat once spice aroma is apparent (a few minutes). 

3.  Place funnel in large glass bottle.  Pour spice pieces through the funnel into the large glass bottle.

4.  Measure everclear, Italicus Rosolio di Begamotto liquer, and Absolut Vanilla vodka and add to large glass bottle by pouring into the funnel (this will also capture any remaining spice pieces left on the funnel’s surface).

5.  Swirl the contents and let the spices and alcohol rest for a week.  Swirl periodically throughout the week to give spice mixture new contact points to alcohol molecules.

Procedure Second Week

1.  Measure water and boil.  Once at boil, remove from heat and add tea bags.  Steep for five minutes.  Remove tea bags and add sugar.  Stir to ensure sugar has dissolved thoroughly.  Set it aside.

2.  Pour alcohol mixture into a strainer over a large mixing bowl.  Set it aside.

3.  Measure lime juice and pour into the alcohol mixture in the large mixing bowl.  Add tea/sugar mixture to the large mixing bowl.  Set the alcohol/juice/tea mixture aside.

4.  Measure the milk and add it to the small kettle.  Heat the milk until it is just beginning to boil (approximately two minutes or the milk temperature is approximately 155 deg F).  Remove from the heat.  Transfer heated milk to the second mixing bowl.

5.  Slowly add the alcohol/juice/tea mixture to the milk in the second mixing bowl.  Let the mixture curdle – this is needed for the clarification later.  It is important to add alcohol/juice/tea mixture to the milk and not vice versa for this step.  Allow the curdling mixture to rest at room temperature for approximately an hour.

6.  Transfer the second mixing bowl with all the contents to the refrigerator and let it rest overnight.

7.  Remove curdled milk mixture from the refrigerator.  Place the jelly strainer on top of the Chemex coffeemaker.  Slowly pour the milk mixture over the jelly strainer.  Try not to break the curdles in the jelly strainer, since the curdles will create the filter bed.

8.  Filter to desired clarity.  Maybe once or twice.  Allow two days to filter the liquid punch.  You should set the jelly strainer onto the three cups (or whiskey glasses) to allow for more head  space to filter the punch mixture.

9.  Transfer clarified milk punch to individual glass bottles via pouring through a funnel.  Fill the bottles to the bottom of the funnel.

10.  Label bottles.  Store in refrigerator.  Share with friends.