What remains is a crystal-clear, shelf-stable drink, a preservation trick particularly useful before the days of refrigeration. It’s a colonial style of punch that curdles milk with citrus, mixes in alcohol then strains out the solids. Scott Marshall, now proprietor of Alley Cat Lounge in Savannah, Georgia, was introduced to clarified milk punch during his previous stint at the Boston bar Drink. Sometimes, long-term aging is just a happy accident. He says the egg nog took on a pleasing banana-like flavor by Year Two. While Bennett says those first sips “took some courage to drink,” he became bolder in subsequent years. The recipe begins with eggs and sugar, before he layers on rum, Bourbon, overproof Cognac and “a big pinch of salt.” Milk, cream and nutmeg are added right before serving. Nick Bennett, beverage director at New York City’s Porchlight, spends years aging the base egg nog he makes for himself and friends. Come 2020, he’ll pop open a five-year-old brandy sour. ![]() “That’s why I want to keep doing this.” In the meantime, he has enough of his bottled cocktail to continue aging. Is it possible to age a cocktail too long? “I don’t know!” Teague admits. “Fill it close to the top, so there’s no oxygen in there.” “It’s booze and sugar and juice, and let it sit.” He adds one key tip gleaned from canning fruit with his grandmother. “There’s no magic trick, no enzymes or anything I’ve added to the puzzle,” says Teague. Teague likens the appearance and viscosity to mango juice. Over time, the mix of brandy, overproof vodka, Demerara sugar and citrus juices (lemon, lime and orange juices) thicken and take on a richer, almost caramelized flavor. To age a citrus-based cocktail is a bit of a risk, but Teague assures that the alcohol chemically “cooks” the juice, which prevents rancidity. ![]() In addition, he says, “it tastes less and less boozy over the years.” ![]() “What’s interesting is as it ages, the flavor continues to get so soft and mellow,” says Teague. Thank You! We've received your email address, and soon you will start getting exclusive offers and news from Wine Enthusiast.
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