Houston Livestock Show Milk Punch Recipe: Don't Knock the Cocktail Until You Try It (6 Ingredients) by Donna John

Saddle up and get ready to meet your new favorite cocktail recipe: milk punch.

My husband and I have been honored to participate in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ junior lamb and goat market auction that supports Texas youth through scholarships (via Virtue Construction Partners LLC). The "scholarships include Houston-area Rodeo Scholars, Texas 4-H, Texas FFA, Achievement and Vocational scholarships. More than 800 scholarships will be awarded through the Rodeo’s scholarship programs in 2026. As one of the largest scholarship providers in the U.S., the Rodeo has presented more than 23,000 scholarships valued at more than $320 million since 1957."

The auction starts early, with a delicious breakfast buffet and cocktails (if you choose to partake). At our first auction we attended, I was handed something white and creamy in a glass and told I had to try it. The sweet, creamy concoction was milk punch. Alarms went off in my head (milk + alcohol + stomach?), but after my first sip I was hooked. Milk punch is a delicious rum and brandy milk-based cocktail that you need to try. I'm betting you will be pleasantly surprised like I was! Milk punch is the first thing I grab now when we walk in the doors of the auction.

This recipe for Houston Livestock Show milk punch is from Texas Family Cookbook, one of the cookbooks created at Family Cookbook Project. To make this cocktail recipe at home you will need the following ingredients: rum, brandy, simple syrup (water and sugar), vanilla extract, half and half and nutmeg for serving.

The Rodeo volunteers who whip up this delicious milk-based, adult-only beverage store it in plastic milk jugs. The milk punch is poured over ice and sprinkled with nutmeg. Delicious! Now that I have the easy milk punch recipe, it will be served at my next family game night. Saddle up, family!

Tips: You can buy premade simple syrup if you don't want to make your own. For a fun presentation, you could store and serve the milk punch in mason jars. The rodeo offers a topper (alcohol of choice), but that's up to you! 

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 15

Ingredients

• 5 ounces rum
• 10 ounces brandy
• 10 ounces simple syrup (5 ounces water plus 5 ounces granulated sugar, boiled)
• 1 1/2 ounces vanilla
• 1 quart half and half (4 cups)
• nutmeg, for serving

Here's how to make it:

1. Mix all the ingredients together except nutmeg. (You can make your own simple syrup or buy premade simple syrup that's available at liquor stores and grocery stores. I prefer to make it fresh by boiling the water and sugar together until the sugar is dissolved. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use.)
2. Store in a drink pitcher or airtight container. (The rodeo stores their milk punch in gallon milk jugs.)
3. To serve, pour over ice and sprinkle with nutmeg.
   

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