Friday, February 22nd, 1861. To day I went home and found Bill at work on the mill house. In the evening the little woman & Florence with Father, Mother & Toby came up. They returned home late in the evening. This being my birth day I took a milk punch. weather changable & warm for the time of year. James Madison Hall
This photo shows the 500+ pages of my copy of the 1860-1866 Journal of James Madison Hall . . . on today's page, he mentions that he took a milk punch in honor of this being his birthday . . . what is a milk punch? . . .
Cool. From PETERSON'S MAGAZINE, March 1868 . . . Put two quarts of French brandy, eighteen lemons, three-quarters of a pound of best loaf sugar, and three pints new milk to two quarts of water. Strain this frequently through a jelly bag until it becomes clear and fine. Make two or three days before it is required, and bottle it off.
Warm. From PETERSON'S MAGAZINE, March 1868 . . . Throw into two quarts of new milk the very thinly pared rind of a fine lemon, and half a pound of good sugar, in lumps; bring it slowly to boil; take out the lemon rind, draw it from the fire, and stir quickly in a couple of well-whisked eggs, which have been mixed with less than half a pint of cold milk, and strained through a sieve; the milk must not of course be allowed to boil after these are mixed with it. Add gradually a pint of rum, and half a pint of brandy. Mix the punch to a froth and serve it immediately with quite warm glasses.
See also . . . Benjamin Franklin's Milk Punch Recipe . . .
