With shorter days and colder weather comes longer nights to warm up and celebrate – and this season is the perfect time to gather around and make memories. Whether you’re getting together with family or throwing a party with friends, the festivities are sure to be merry and bright.

The warmest greetings of the season are those that bring people together. Celebrations are best with family, friends and food, and no celebration is complete without an enjoyable cocktail.  Keep things simple this year with this delicious Milk Punch recipe.

A festive twist on a classic New Orleans-style cocktail, this drink is made with milk – one of the original farm-to-table foods – and is a perfect addition to any seasonal menu. When you use milk as the base of your cocktails, you can be sure you’re serving a wholesome, quality beverage that will impress your guests so you can relax and enjoy the celebration too.

Spread cheer in every sip with this Milk Punch recipe. Garnished with nutmeg and served hot or cold, this cocktail can bring life to any gathering this season. For more seasonal inspiration and recipe ideas, visit milklife.com.

Milk Punch Two Ways
Recipe courtesy of Emily Caruso of Jelly Toast
Makes: 1 cocktail

• 6          ounces reduced fat milk
• 1          ounce bourbon
• 1/2       ounce white rum
• 1 1/2    teaspoons maple syrup
• 1/4       teaspoons vanilla extract
• pinch of grated nutmeg, for garnish

1. To Make Iced: Fill Boston cocktail shaker or mixing pitcher with ice. Add milk, bourbon, rum, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Stir 10 seconds, or until chilled and cocktail shaker is frosty. Strain into high-ball glass filled with ice cubes. Top with freshly grated nutmeg and serve.
2. To Make Hot: Pour milk into small saucepan set over low heat. Heat gently until hot, but not boiling. Remove from heat and whisk briefly until milk is slightly frothy.
3. Pour bourbon, rum, maple syrup and vanilla extract into mug. Add hot milk, top with grated nutmeg and serve.

Nutritional information per serving: 220 calories; 4 g fat; 2.5 g saturated fat; 15 mg cholesterol; 6 g protein;  16 g carbohydrates; 0 g fiber; 90 mg sodium; 236 mg calcium (25% of daily value). Nutrition figures based on using reduced fat milk.

Sponsored by MilkPEP