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Luxurious yet easy to make, brandy milk punch is a classic New Orleans cocktail with a creamy, cozy twist. It’s the kind of drink that feels both nostalgic and festive, thanks to the combination of brandy, vanilla and warm nutmeg. Whether you’re sipping it during a brunch, toasting the holidays or simply indulging in a nightcap, this punch has a silky texture and rich flavor that never goes out of style. One sip and you’ll understand its timeless appeal.
Brandy milk punch is creamy, sweet and perfectly spiced. This smooth New Orleans-style cocktail is made with brandy, milk, cream, and vanilla syrup.
You might also like to try kiwi jalapeno margaritas, some of these jello shots or, for something to line your stomach pre-party, pasta da vinci!
Why You’ll Love It
Easy to make: A few simple ingredients and a cocktail shaker are all you need.
Rich and creamy: The milk and cream combo gives it a silky, indulgent finish.
Perfect for special occasions: Elegant enough for holidays, brunches or a cozy night in.
Customizable: Swap the spirit, sweetener or garnish to suit your taste.
Mardi Gras Brandy Milk Punch Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the vanilla syrup base.
Vanilla bean paste and extract: Bring intense, aromatic flavor to the syrup.
Brandy: The spirit base that gives this cocktail its warm, spiced kick. A smooth, mid-range brandy like E&J XO works well, but feel free to use your favorite.
Vanilla bean simple syrup: Adds smooth sweetness and flavor depth.
Whole milk: Provides a light, creamy texture.
Heavy cream: Adds richness and body to the drink.
Nutmeg: A fresh grating on top adds warmth and seasonal flair.
Edible gold leaf flakes: An optional garnish for a deluxe, eye-catching finish.
How to Make Brandy Milk Punch
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Make the syrup: Combine sugar and water in a saucepan, simmer until dissolved, then stir in vanilla paste and extract. Chill until ready.
Garnish the glass: Moisten the edge of the glass, then apply gold leaf using tweezers and a brush.
Shake the cocktail: Add brandy, syrup, milk and cream to a shaker with ice, and shake until cold.
Serve and finish: Strain into a prepared glass with crushed ice and top with grated nutmeg and gold leaf.
Substitutions and Variations
Use bourbon instead of brandy: For a smokier, deeper flavor.
Make it dairy-free: Substitute plant-based milk and cream alternatives.
Add cinnamon: Swap nutmeg for ground cinnamon or use both for a spiced twist.
Gold leaf: A tasty substitute can be orange juice applied to the rim of the glass and then you can dip it into gold (or another color) sanding sugar instead. Purple sanding sugar and/or green would also work for this brandy and milk cocktail. A bonus with the green one is you can save some for making shamrock shakes on St Patrick’s Day too!
Serving Suggestions
With sweet treats: King cake is a staple around Mardi Gras and this is a round cake topped with green (faith), purple (justice) and gold (power) sugar.
With savory bites: Dirty rice, crawfish etouffee, Cajun chicken pasta or shrimp pasta, jambalaya, chicken sausage gumbo, po’boys, a muffaletta sandwich, Louisiana voodoo fries, and crawfish boil are more favorites for your upcoming Mardi Gras party.
With other drinks: You might also like citrus rainbow sherbet champagne mimosas, rum runners or rainbow pot o’ gold jello vodka shots.
How to Store Brandy Milk Punch
Store: Keep leftovers refrigerated and use within a day or so.
Freeze: I don’t recommend freezing this.
Top Tips
Shake thoroughly: A strong shake blends the cream and milk smoothly.
Use fresh nutmeg: Grating it fresh makes a big difference in aroma and taste.
Vanilla syrup: Vanilla syrup keeps for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator so you can make extra if you like then add it to next week’s coffees, smoothies and so on.
Serve chilled: Use crushed ice or pre-chill the glass for the best texture.
Mardi Gras Punch FAQs
Edible gold leaf looks so pretty and makes the cocktails extra special for any Mardi Gras party. Gold can pass through the body without either being absorbed or breaking down. Perhaps you’ve tried edible gold before, maybe in a Sambuca shot. As long as it’s 23 or 24 karat gold it’s perfectly safe. I wouldn’t use anything with fewer karats since they contain other metals which might not be as safe. You can decorate the rim of the glass with gold; you’ll need to moisten the rim of the glass then use tweezers to gently press the gold on with a small paintbrush like these.
Yes, you can use a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid or stir everything well in a mixing glass with ice.
Yes, you can store it in the fridge in a sealed container for up to a week
Mardi Gras Brandy Milk Punch Recipe
Brandy Milk Punch
Equipment
- Saucepan Small
- Tweezers
- Paintbrush Small
Ingredients
For the Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup (makes enough for 6 cocktails)
- 1/2 Cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 Cup water
- 2 Teaspoons vanilla bean paste
- 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract, pure
For the Brandy Milk Punch
- edible gold leaf flakes, optional garnish
- 1 1/2 Ounces brandy, such as E&J XO
- 1 Ounce vanilla bean simple syrup, recipe above
- 1 1/2 Ounces whole milk
- 1 Ounce heavy cream
- ice
- nutmeg, freshly grated
Instructions
Make the Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup
- To a small saucepan, add water and granulated sugar. Mix together over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Once ingredients begin to boil, reduce heat and allow to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir sugar until completely dissolved.
- Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla bean paste and vanilla extract. Immediately transfer to a seal able heat-proof container and place in the refrigerator to cool until ready to use.
Assemble the Drink
- Using your finger, dampen about ¼ of the outside of your glass with water. Using tweezers, place edible gold leaf flakes along the wet area of the glass, patting the flakes down with a small paintbrush.
- Add 3 to 4 ice cubes to a cocktail shaker. Pour in brandy, vanilla bean simple syrup, whole milk, and heavy cream. Shake for about 20 seconds until chilled though. Pour into prepared cocktail glass over crushed ice.
- Top with freshly grated nutmeg and a sprinkling of edible gold leaf, if liked.
Notes
Use fresh nutmeg: Grating it fresh makes a big difference in aroma and taste.
Vanilla syrup: Vanilla syrup keeps for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator so you can make extra if you like then add it to next week’s coffees, smoothies and so on.
Serve chilled: Use crushed ice or pre-chill the glass for the best texture.
Nutrition
Brandy milk punch is a creamy, luxurious cocktail that combines classic ingredients into a cozy, sippable treat. The blend of vanilla, brandy and fresh nutmeg creates a smooth drink perfect for holidays, brunches or just when you want to treat yourself to something rich and elegant. Whether you serve it with a touch of gold leaf or keep it simple, this cocktail always delivers on flavor and charm. It’s a must-try for any fan of vintage drinks with a modern flair.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
Saving this for my party this year! yum