Old-fashioned Maraschino Milk Cocktail

From Vienna with Love – A Maraschino Cocktail for the Soul

To take a trip back to vintage Europe, I’ve unearthed a whimsical little treasure for you—a maraschino liqueur cocktail that tastes like something out of an old storybook café nestled between cobblestone alleys and ivy-covered windows. It’s warm, creamy, and utterly enchanting—made with egg yolk, powdered sugar, a generous splash of maraschino, and silky hot milk. An old-fashioned drink, yes, but oh-so-dreamy, like a spell softly whispered into your cup.

Fancy sipping something that could be served in a magical tavern tucked deep in an enchanted forest?

I grew up in Vienna, where cozy cafés and timeless recipes are part of the cultural soul. And let me tell you—this cocktail feels like stepping into a fairy tale. Maybe it's my love for fantasy worlds speaking (I’ve read The Lord of the Rings more times than I can count, still waiting for my Hogwarts letter, and wouldn’t say no to a dragon companion or a portal to another realm!)—but this drink could definitely be served at a magical winter ball or sipped while curled up with your favorite spell book on a rainy day.

It’s a cocktail that whispers of old-world charm with a creamy texture and sweet cherry warmth that wraps around you like your favorite cloak. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, date night, or a cozy escape into a fantasy novel—it’s comforting, elegant, and delightfully easy to make. All you need is a hand mixer and a little imagination.

And if you want to complete the moment? Pair this drink with a slice of my fluffy whipping cream Bundt cake—a nostalgic dessert straight from my grandma’s recipe box.

Let’s step into the magic and mix up your new favorite cozy cocktail! 🦋

🥘 Ingredients

This creamy hot milk cocktail is as easy to make as waving a wand—just a few kitchen staples and a bottle of maraschino liqueur, and you’re halfway to your own personal enchanted café moment. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Egg yolk
  Rich, golden, and silky smooth—this is what gives your cocktail that dreamy custard-like texture.
  (Save the egg white for a meringue spell later!)
• Powdered sugar
  For a gentle sweetness that melts right into the mix. Like dusting your drink with a tiny snowfall. ❄️
• Maraschino liqueur
  The star of this fairy tale! With delicate cherry and almond notes, maraschino liqueur brings that vintage, slightly mysterious flavor that feels straight out of a candlelit ballroom in a castle tucked somewhere in old Europe.
• Hot milk
  Poured over the whipped yolk mixture like a warm spell—it ties everything together and makes this cocktail a cuddle in a cup.
  (Whole milk is perfect, but feel free to use your favorite kind.)

See the recipe card for quantities.

🔪 Instructions

Step 1: Whip the egg yolk and powdered sugar
In a small mixing bowl, combine the egg yolk and powdered sugar. Use a hand mixer to beat the mixture until it turns pale, thick, and beautifully creamy—like golden velvet.

Step 2: Add the maraschino liqueur
Pour in the Maraschino liqueur and mix again until the mixture is smooth and well combined. It should smell like sweet cherry magic!

Step 3: Prepare the hot milk
In a small saucepan, gently heat the milk until steaming hot—but not boiling. You want it warm enough to cozy up the drink without curdling the egg.

Step 4: Assemble the cocktail
Pour the maraschino-egg mixture into your favorite heatproof serving glass. Then, slowly pour the hot milk over it and stir gently but quickly with a spoon or small whisk to combine. The result is a silky, creamy, warm cocktail with the color of sunrise and the comfort of a childhood fairy tale.

Step 5: Serve and enjoy
No garnish needed—but if you’re feeling extra whimsical, serve with a slice of Bundt cake or a pink sugar-dusted cookie. Then sit back, sip slowly, and let yourself drift into a cozy, enchanted daydream.

✨ Hosting a Cozy Gathering in Your Enchanted Cottage?

Whether you're gathering your fellowship for an evening of tales by candlelight, hosting a magical book club of witches and dreamers, or simply want to treat your favorite humans to something warm and wonderful—this batch version of the Maraschino Liqueur Cocktail is ready to cast its charm over the whole table.

With sweet cherry notes, creamy egg yolk, and warm milk that steams like a potion in the making, it’s a vintage drink that feels straight out of an old European spellbook. All it takes is a few simple ingredients and a little bit of stirring magic to serve up cozy comfort for four.

Wands are optional—but highly encouraged. 🪄

Ingredients

• 4 egg yolks
• 4 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 160 ml (5.4 fl oz or ~5½ shots) maraschino liqueur
• 500 ml (2 cups) hot milk

Instructions

Step 1: Whip the egg yolks and sugar
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the egg yolks and powdered sugar. Beat with a hand mixer until pale, creamy, and thick.

Step 2: Add the maraschino liqueur
Pour in the maraschino and mix again until everything is fully incorporated.

Step 3: Heat the milk
Warm the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until steaming but not boiling.

Step 4: Combine and serve
Evenly divide the egg-maraschino mixture between 4 heatproof serving glasses. Gently pour the hot milk over each one and stir quickly to combine. Serve immediately.

🍽 Equipment

• Saucepan
• Hand mixer
• Serving glass
• Spoon
• Measuring tools / Jigger

Other Recipes for You to Try

• Cranberry Maraschino Sour
• Maraschino Liqueur
• Aviation Cocktail
• How to make a Martinez
• Bold and Refreshing Hemingway Daiquiri

If you make this recipe, let me know how you liked it by ★★★★★ star rating it and leaving a comment below. This would be awesome! You can also sign up for our Newsletter or follow me on Pinterest or Instagram and share your creation with me. Just tag me @combinegoodflavors and hashtag #combinegoodflavors, so I don't miss it.

📖 Recipe

⛑️ Food Safety

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

For further information, check Safe Food Handling - FDA.