Sunday was the first day of advent, and as literally thousands of giddy adults cracked open the first window of their Drinks by the Dram Advent Calendars I wanted to make another grown-up version of a childhood favourite to go along with them.

So, we made a Bourbon Milkshake! People like milkshakes. That’s proven. This one’s incredibly straight-forward and absolutely delicious. Before we get started though, it would be crazy of me to mention the Advent Calendars without sharing this brilliant video with you, released today! See how many people you can recognise. It even includes an incredibly handsome man all tucked up in bed with some kind of wintery weather-induced malady…

You’ll be needing these…

List of Ingredients

50ml Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 Year Old Bourbon

120ml Milk (Whole)

120g Vanilla Ice Cream

5ml Vanilla Extract

20ml Maple Syrup (or to taste)

So how’s it done? Like this, obviously:

#6secondcocktails

Too quick? Oh, alright, let’s start over properly. It’s a very easy build, just a case of slinging everything into a mixing jug. I’m using a plastic one as we’re going to blend it later using a hand-blender (and glass + whizzing blades don’t mix).

First up, we’re going to put a double measure (50ml) of this bad-boy into our jug:

It’s called Old Scout, as the guys at Smooth Ambler sourced (or scouted) this out prior to the release of their own Bourbon.

It’s an absolute cracker of a whiskey this. Absolutely loads of Vanilla, with the ‘heavy oak’ character overtaken by a full 7 years of maturation-led fruit and spice. Works really well with the Ice Cream. So, in it goes.

Next up, 120ml of Chilled Whole Milk…

…followed by 120g of Vanilla Ice Cream. I’m using Haagen Dazs, but you can use anything ‘proper’. Worth saying that I’ve tried this with other flavours. They all work, but the Vanilla really lets the Bourbon shine through.

If 120g sounds like a lot, that’s because, erm, it is… Not a low-fat recipe, this.

Sling it in with the milk/bourbon mixture.

Add 5ml of Vanilla Extract next. More Vanilla is always good. Yes.

NB – ‘extract’, not ‘essence’. One is made from Vanilla, one isn’t. I’m using this one.

Into the mixture with it.

Now the final ingredient, Maple Syrup. I’m using No.2 Amber from Waitrose – loads of flavour.

I’m going to add 20ml, but this is one where you really can afford to vary it to taste.

Using none at all is absolutely fine, and you’ll only make it yummier by adding more.

Now for the fun bit. Get your stick-blender, and go at it until it’s all Creamy (Fnaar! Fnaar!). Blend it up right nice.

And tip into a milkshake glass (if you’ve got one). If not, a highball will do.

No garnish, but a stripy paper straw will make it look like the daddy.

And there we have it. A Bourbon Vanilla Shake. Not a bad way to kick off advent, eh?

Enjoy!

Lots of you were mixing along at home last night (people like milkshakes – fact). Here are your Bourbon Vanilla Shakes:

@Reemus22 used Knob Creek in his shake (Fnaar?)

Whilst @luciennesimpson had stripy straws on hand for hers – top work!

Here’s what @DJOsito used – nice choice with the Hudson Baby Bourbon!

…and @DJOsito’s finished shake. That’s right, they also have shake glass AND stripy straw! 10/10

Next week, we’ll be revisiting Bourbon for probably the most Christmassy tasting sour you’ll ever have. These are the ingredients you’ll need:

Next week, you’ll be needing these…

FEW Bourbon Whiskey Cask Strength, King’s Ginger Liqueur, Monin Pain d’Epices (Gingerbread) Syrup, a Lemon.

Ben