Wait until the end of the week and buy your thanksgiving napkins for next year for pennies on the dollar
We clipped this recipe from a magazine years ago, I wish I could remember which one. (Update: Thanks to Andrea for telling us it was Budget Living!) It’s called “Godfather Jimmy’s Milk Punch” in the green journal we reserve for our favorite recipes. It’s a wonderful alternative to eggnog and has become a staple on Thanksgiving. But first things first, you need to freeze this in a milk jug, so don’t just toss the next one you empty into the recycling bin. I’ve been known to cut the frozen milk jug in half and only defrost half of it at a time since we don’t often have guests on the holiday and the dogs aren’t partial to brandy. (Attention PETA that was a joke, our dogs love brandy).
Brandy milk punch
- 2 1/2 quarts whole milk (you can use a mix of 2 percent and whole, don’t use skim)
- 750 milliliters of brandy
- 1 14-ounce can condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- about half a clove of fresh ground nutmeg
- ground cinnamon to taste
- pinch of cloves
Pour all ingredients in a large bowl whisking to incorporate condensed milk and powdered sugar. Using a funnel, pour mix back into empty milk jug. Seal and shake. Freeze overnight or longer. Remove about an hour before serving. You can cut the milk jug off once the ice block is loose enough to slip out. Let it sit in a punch bowl and chip the ice block just before guests arrive. Garnish with more fresh nutmeg.
Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide 
I love this idea. I have never had eggnog before (terrible, I know) because the idea of raw eggs makes me nervous and slightly disgusted. This would be my kind of drink!
Great idea of freezing it and making punch ice chips for your guests!
This does sound SO delicious! I think I need to borrow a friends freezer or give away a whole bunch of cookies taking up more than their share of space. Is this your favorite of the holiday drinks? Or don’t you pick favorites? Where to start???
Oh favorites are too hard to choose! But it’s high on the list.
This sounds good.
I’ve never heard of this punch (nor tried brandy!), but it looks really intriguing and I bet is really nice for the holiday season.
How many does this serve?
You know it fills almost the whole gallon jug. We’ve served it at a party of eight or 10 and had leftovers. It really just depends on how open to milk cocktails your guests are and how many you have!
Lovely. It makes me wish for snow.
You’re going to turn me into an alcoholic. And help me get though the holidays. 😉
We aim to please!
Tis the season to get tipsy . . . fa la la la la la la la la. {{hiccup}} 😆
Milk punch? Now there’s something I wasn’t expecting. But it sounds great!
Mmm mmm mmm. Is it that time of the year yet when you can start having milk punches and spiking your hot chocolate in the afternoons;)?
Well it did get down in the 50s today!
I honestly can’t decide if I’m grossed out or if it’s full stop genius. I guess I’ll just have to make it and find out. hmmm can I make it now? hmmm…..
It gets interesting reactions. It’s not for everyone, but apparently it’s a hit in NOLA.
You and that humor Greg lol. I know so many of my friends will love this if I made it. Hrm.. maybe I’ll be a hit of my own holiday party if I do make it.. we’ll see
That was no joke. Our dogs like brandy!
Great looking punch – I love milk-based/creamy cocktails and punches (pub I used to go to used to serve the best alcohol chocolate milk I ever tasted!) and I love the idea of chipping bits off the block. How have you cut your milk in half before to just defrost one half? Wouldn’t you need to use a band-saw or something? 😮
That would probably be a smarter approach, but I like using my big knives. A serrated bread knife works for me. I am really strong though as you can imagine.
Now that sounds amazing! I love egg nog but brandy with condensed milk…now you´re talking 🙂
I have always been put off by milky cocktails, but this one looks extremely appealing. I would love to taste it now! It would be a nice kick of energy before my lunch 😉
Yep, it’s not for everyone, but it’s so good!
Dogs like bourbon? On the rocks? Or straight up? Looks like a tasty recipe!
Neat of course.
That sounds dangerous!
I’m in!
Love this alternative to egg nog. I never quite understood what is so good about egg or nog. This is much more appealing and do “got milk.”
Looks delightful!
So much niceness – yes please! Our one cat is quite partial to whiskey *blush*
🙂 Mandy
We think the cat we saw at one of the distilleries was partial to whiskey!
Other than the brandy, this sounds similar to the snow ice milk we used to make. Delicious!
Attention PETA! You crack me up! What a clever recipe. I’ve never heard of anything like it. 🙂
I figured your dogs would love bandy. Also, thanks for the money-saving tip! I’ll have to make this alternative to nog. Sounds like a boozy way to celebrate the holidays!
Is there another way? (Other than boozy?)
That looks very tasty!
This sounds great. I have tried different Brandy Milk Punch recipes, but because I love your recipes so much I’ll just bet this one will be perfection. I think it is a new orleans favorite as a neighbor of ours (a crabber from N’Orlins) had asked if we could make it for him one year as it reminded him of home.
This is the one drink we didn’t have last weekend in NOLA! OK, the ones they’re famous for anyway.
Wow.. This must be gorgeous in a punch bowl for the holidays! I could even see leaving out a glass of this for Santa! I think it would make him and everyone else very happy!!
Yum! Why would one bother to use skim milk when adding sugar and brandy to a recipe? 😉 That was definitely said tongue in cheek if that didn’t come through. This sounds fab!
Well, we just want to make sure!
Mmm…sounds SO good. I could use one right now. 😉
Unfortunately (for me), this would require several Lactaid tablets.
Stick with that port.
I had a lovely milk punch in New Orleans at Brennen’s while enjoying their famous brunch. This sounds very good.
We were just in NOLA. We ate at one of the oyster houses owned by that family.
Coming from a long line of lactose intolerants, I’d have to take a pass on this cocktail, I’m afraid. Just hand m a snifter of brandy and I’ll be fine.
Will do!
I could reallllly use a large glass of that right now!!
This looks good. Regarding your tip on napkins, some lady left a comment on my blog saying she bought canned pumpkin last year at Walmart and Sams after the holidays for 33 cents a can. I am going to look for that, too. Some great bargains out there.
We got some at Kroger for 29 cents a can, but I don’t think that will happen this year.
Sounds great and so easy to put together and store till needed.
Yum! I do love your beverage recipes. Always something different.
I know I’m late commenting, but I just found your post by searching for “Godfather Jimmy’s milk punch”. Thank goodness, you have chronicled this fabulous little cocktail! The magazine that originally published it was Budget Living…I still have the issue somewhere. I made this for a Christmas party, maybe 7-8 years ago…and the punch has been requested by family and friends for yes, 7-8 years now. I do cut back on the sugar, and it’s still decadent. Thanks for reprinting the recipe!!
Thanks for telling us where we got it. We seriously had clipped a copy and it got so bruised we had to write it down. I’ll note in the post where it’s adapted from.
Pingback: Fall (Off Your Stool) Drinks | Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide
Reblogged this on A Single Serving and commented:
I’ve just discovered milk punch–made my first last night and really enjoyed it, so I thought I share some of the recipes that I’ve found.
Pingback: A Thanksgiving Preview | Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide
Pingback: All Our Thanksgiving Day Recipes in One Place | Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide
Pingback: Thanksgiving Starter | Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide
Pingback: Cool Thanksgiving Drinks | Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide
Pingback: All Our Thanksgiving Recipes in One Place (Take Two) | Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide
Pingback: Thanksgiving Menu | Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide