Milk and Honey Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 04/23/21
Milk & Honey Cocktail - Benedictine Liqueur
Benedictine Liqueur
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

Perfect as a nightcap, the milk and honey is as easy as spiking your milk with Bénédictine. This cocktail is so simple and so delicious that it should not be missed. Mix it up as a comforting drink at the end of a long day and you'll instantly relax. It also makes a soothing winter drink for chilly nights.

The milk and honey recipe uses just those two ingredients: Bénédictine and milk. The liqueur puts the "honey" in the drink because its signature flavor is the natural sweetener, which is accented by 27 herbs and spices.

While the cocktail is incredibly simple, it can be served in two different ways. either cold or warm, depending on your mood. Both offer an opportunity to enjoy the full flavor of Bénédictine in an easy mixed drink.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces Bénédictine Liqueur

  • 4 to 6 ounces milk, to taste

  • Orange slice, for garnish

  • Cinnamon stick, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Pour Bénédictine into a stemmed goblet or mug, add a few ice cubes, and top with cold milk. Stir well.

  3. Garnish with a slice of orange and a cinnamon stick. Serve and enjoy.

Recipe Variations

  • To serve the milk and honey warm, top the shot of Bénédictine off with warm milk. Be sure to heat your milk slowly and ​gently (never letting it boil) while stirring constantly so it doesn't curdle.
  • You can also dust the top of the drink with ground cinnamon and/or nutmeg if you prefer.
  • While a traditional milk and honey calls for Bénédictine, you can break from the standard and pour another honey liqueur if you like. Bärenjäger would be the top-rated substitute, though you do lose that herbal background. Another good pairing for milk is a whiskey-based liqueur like Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey, which will add a nice punch of flavor.

Tips

  • While typically optional, this is one recipe where the garnishes make a difference. Laying the cinnamon stick and orange slice in the milk allows those flavors to slowly infuse into the drink, creating a more complex taste.
  • Large pieces of ice—cubes or larger ice balls—would be preferred over crushed ice or similar small forms in the cold drink. You want to gently dilute the drink and keep it cool from beginning to end, but not water down the milk.

How Strong Is a Milk and Honey Cocktail?

The milk and honey is a comforting drink and it's not too strong, either. Whether you make it hot or cold, you can expect its alcohol content to be around 8 percent ABV (16 proof); the ice will dilute that just a little bit in the chilled version. That places this cocktail right between beer and wine.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
88 Calories
2g Fat
12g Carbs
6g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 88
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 2g 2%
Saturated Fat 1g 6%
Cholesterol 9mg 3%
Sodium 81mg 4%
Total Carbohydrate 12g 4%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 6g
Vitamin C 10mg 50%
Calcium 249mg 19%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 308mg 7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)