It was a warm day in early June at the Dairy Day Celebration, organized by the Vermont Department of Agriculture (now Agency of Agriculture). School kids had been bused in from remote areas, and calves of all breeds were munching hay in pens around the Statehouse lawn in Montpelier. 

Samples of ice cream, yogurt, butter, and other goodies were ready for the kids, who were swarming among the pens, and the educational booths. The Vermont Maple Promotion Board (now Maple Marketing Committee) was offering samples of Maple Milk. Assisting Board Member Carolyn Perley, who had found the recipe in an old cookbook, I wondered how popular our Maple Milk would be, since two ice cream companies were dispensing their treats. 

What a surprise! Kids and adults alike were exclaiming “This is REALLY good!” After many of the children returned 3 or 4 times for helpings, we had to set a requirement: “Run all the way around the perimeter of the Statehouse lawn, and then you can have another serving!” 

Maple Milk has become something of an official toast. It will be served at the Vermont Governor’s Tree Tapping Ceremony in Montpelier on February 27th, on the Statehouse Lawn at 1:00 P.M., and again at the Grand Opening ceremony of the Vermont Maple Festival, April 26th, in St. Albans. 

Maple and milk complement each other, and since many of you who read Maple News live in areas that take pride in their production of both of these products, we suggest that you consider making Maple Milk a part of your celebrations! 

FOR ONE GALLON

Remove 1 cup of milk from a gallon of cold 2% milk – refrigerate and save that cup for another purpose!

Add 1 cup of Dark Amber or Grade B Pure Maple Syrup to the gallon milk container. Put the cap back on the container, and SHAKE! Serve cold. 

FOR ONE CUP

In a jar larger than one cup, ( i.e. a pint or quart) pour in a heaping tablespoonful of 

Dark Amber or Grade B Pure Maple Syrup, and one cup of cold 2% milk. If this does not taste “mapley” enough, add more syrup to taste. Put the lid on the jar, and shake vigorously. Pour into a serving cup, and -

“Mmmmmm – Maple Milk!”

April 2013