Kinfolk's Clear Favorite Recipe

Combine spirits and sweeteners

In a large heatproof pitcher or bowl, pour 6 oz Michter's American Whiskey and 1.5 oz Mezcal Vago Elote. Add 1 oz fresh lemon juice, 0.5 oz fresh lime juice, 1 oz simple syrup, and 0.5 oz honey syrup. Stir gently to combine.

Add water

Add 8 oz cold water to the spirit & citrus mixture and stir. This dilutes and helps set the final balance before milk curdling.

Temper and add milk

Measure 6 oz full‑fat whole milk. To avoid immediate large curds, temper by slowly adding the milk into the spirit/citrus/water mixture while stirring continuously. Once fully incorporated, stop stirring.

Let curdle

Allow the mixture to sit undisturbed at room temperature for 30–60 minutes. You will see the milk separate into curds and a cloudy whey. This is normal — the citrus has acidified the milk and created curds that will trap impurities and clarify the liquid.

Pre‑strain

Set a fine mesh strainer over a large clean bowl. Line the strainer with one layer of cheesecloth or a coffee filter. Pour the curdled mixture through the strainer slowly. The large curds will remain; press them gently with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids.

Fine filtration

Replace the filter with a fresh coffee filter or double layer of fine muslin (use a new filter for each pass). Pour the strained liquid through into another clean container. Depending on clarity, filter 2–4 times, changing the filter when flow slows, until the liquid runs clear or pale gold. This step can take 30–60 minutes.

Chill

Transfer the clarified punch to the refrigerator and chill for at least 1 hour, or add a bowl of ice to cool quickly for 15–20 minutes. Chilling helps the punch settle and improves clarity.

Serve

Fill old fashioned glasses with ice. Pour 3 to 4 oz of the clarified milk punch per serving into each glass (this recipe yields roughly 6 servings at 3.25–3.5 oz each). Garnish with a light grating of fresh nutmeg and/or a twisted orange peel expressed over the drink.

Storage

Store leftover clarified punch refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 5 days. If cloudiness returns, re‑filter before serving.