Merry Christmas!

Dear Readers,

Thank you for your comments, encouragement, and kindness these last few months. I have enjoyed peeking into your fabulous lives, and I sincerely hope you've had some fun poking around in my little corner of the blogosphere.

This Christmas will be a bittersweet one for my family: bitter because it will be our first one without my father who died in August, sweet because we will focus on the joy of my soon to be four-year-old niece.

My dad wasn't much of a drinker, but he always looked forward to this punch my sister would make every Christmas morning.

Milk Punch 
(Makes 6 cocktails)

Ingredients:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
8 ounces brandy
4 ounces bourbon
1 egg white (optional)
1 tbsp vanilla extract
Grated nutmeg

Make a simple syrup by combining the sugar and water in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is boiling.  Let simmer until the mixture is clear, about 8 minutes.  Pour into a jar and cool.  Refrigerate until cold.

Combine the syrup, milk, cream, alcohol, egg white, and vanilla in a large pitcher.  Stir well, or, if you have a lid, shake.  Serve in old-fashioned glasses and sprinkle each cocktail with some nutmeg.

Note: If you don't have time to make a simple syrup, don't despair. Just make sure the water is really, really cold, throw all the ingredients except the nutmeg together, and stir well.