Where to get Clarified Milk Punch Cocktails in the Phoenix Valley?

Kate

Jan 134 min read

Updated: Jan 22

Clarified milk punch cocktails are known for their smooth texture and clarity. However, they are often too complicated for the home drinker and too time-consuming for a bar's general rotation. While the drink can be time-consuming, many bars already make batch cocktails so making a punch batch is not that much more work and offers a fun addition to a menu. Drinking a clear drink that tastes like tamarind or cereal is a fun surprise.

Brandy milk punch dates back to 1711 with Mary Rockett's recipe, and was immensely popular at Queen Victoria's court. The milk is heated with alcohol until curdling, absorbs the flavors, and then is strained through cheesecloths until clear. Some of the milk punches below are vegan, using non-dairy milk options like soy or coconut. Most of the bars below are in downtown Phoenix, but there are some locations in Mesa, Gilbert, Peoria, and Arcadia. Not surprising since milk punch is an "older" recipe, some of these bars are vintage themed.

Below are 10 places where you can get Clarified Milk Punch Cocktails in the Phoenix Valley:

(1) Little Rituals

Downtown Phoenix (Central) - 132 S Central Ave 4th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Little Rituals is a James Beard nominee and is constantly ranked as one of the best cocktail bars in the country. It truly lives up to the hype, I am a massive fan.
The Cocktail: Little Rituals is all about classic cocktails, so it's no surprise they serve a classic Milk Punch on their standard serving list.

Bar with modern lighting, blue seating, sign for "Scotsman's Famous Milk Punch," featuring liqueurs, wine, citrus, $15-$50 single to group. Photo of the entrance to Little Rituals.

(2) Harumi Sushi Bar

Downtown Phoenix (Central) - 101 N 1st Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003 (they also have a Peoria location)
Harumi is a popular sushi house with a craft cocktail bar that's commonly on the top of Phoenix's best of restaurant lists.
The Cocktail: They rotate their cocktails, during the Winter season of 2024 they were serving a Midori Sour Milk Punch that has citrus and melon flavors. Instagram. Sadly, they don't regularly post their cocktail lists online so I can't confirm if this drink is still offered.

(3) Bacanora PHX

Downtown Phoenix (Grand) - 1301 Grand Ave #1, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Bacanora is a James Beard winner for their delicious southwest cuisine, so it can be hard to get a seat or reservation on the weekends.
The Cocktail: The menu at Bacanora changes almost daily so it's hard to guess when they'll have milk punches on the menu. I've been twice, the first time I had a delicious milk punch but the second time it was not on the menu and the tamarind based cockatil I had could not compare. The waitress said it's largely to the whims of the head chef and main bartender. You can check the menu here.

(4) Huarachis Taqueria

Downtown Phoenix (Roosevelt) - 814 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Jesse Knox used to bartend at Little Rituals and now has built a craft cocktail menu for this Mexican restaurant that is an off-shoot of Bacanora. Interview.
The Cocktail: Vegan Horchata Punch, a take on a clarified milk punch with cream of coconut.

(5) BARCOA Agaveria

Downtown Phoenix (Roosevelt) - 829 N 1st Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Mexican cocktail bar focused on tequila and mescal.
The Cocktail: Vegan El Chuki cocktail is citrus, tequila, and clarified soy milk.

Foamy cocktail in a glass beside a cozy bar interior with red lighting and patterned pillows. Text: "Barcoa Agaveria." Warm ambiance.

(6) Rough Rider

Downtown Phoenix (Roosevelt) - 1001 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004
A mostly batch cocktail bar that is Theodore Roosevelt themed with a focus on vintage recipes.
The Cocktail: "Thank you for clarifying" at market price is the rotating clarified cocktail. Sometimes it'll include milk, but also could be something like a clarified mojito.

Close-up of a punch bowl with sliced fruit in a dimly lit bar. Text: "Thank you for clarifying $MP." Cozy and inviting atmosphere.

(7) The Gladly

Uptown Phoenix (Camelback) - 2201 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016
The Gladly is an American fusion restaurant known for their expansive whiskey offerings.
The Cocktail: (UPDATED) The Gladly used to have the "Inner Child" which included a Blended Scotch with Clarified Honey Nut Cereal Milk but they now have "Clear Factor." The cocktail is still clarified, but instead of a dairy base, now has a vanilla liqueur base. I think it has a more sickly sweet flavor than the Inner Child, but is vegan and still has that clarified look.

Night view of The Gladly entrance. Inside, people dine at crowded tables in bright, airy space. Menu lists cocktails like "Inner Child."

(8) Undertow

Arcadia and Agritopia, Gilbert (link)
A tiki cocktail bar owned by Barter and Shake Creative Hospitality. Note: they don't serve food beyond bar snacks and almost every drink is batch.
The Cocktail: The "Island Aphrodisiac" features "corn-flake milk-washed" tiki version of a milk punch.

(9) Platform 18 at Century Grand

Arcadia - 3626 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Another batch cocktail bar from Barter and Shake Creative Hospitality, this time train-themed.
The Cocktail: "Always Quiet in the Graveyard" is a clarified milk punch with southwest flavors like tamarind and ancho chili. I know they recently changed their menu so I can't guarantee this is still on the menu.

Elegant bar interior with a bartender and rows of glasses. A floral teacup with a cookie, a vibrant tiki bar, and a cocktail with ice and garnish.

(10) Arizona Distilling Company

Central Mesa - 155 W Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201
A local whiskey distillery that also has a tasting room, which is rare for Arizona!
The Cocktail: Clarified Milk Punch that has hints of apple brandy and green tea.

Distillery bar with copper stills behind a counter of stools. "Arizona Distilling Co." barrels in background. Menu reads "Clarified Milk Punch."

Do you know of any other bars that serve clarified milk punches in the Valley?

Which is your favorite?