Elixir

While it's nearly all water, and water is most essential for survival, milk is the primal food. More personal and familiar, more emotional, milk is the nurturing elixir, the fluid of generations transferred. 

The experiential qualities of milk are memorized early, along with smiling eyes and face, gentle touch, enrichment beyond just a baby's nutrition.

Milk, extolled by queens, kings, and gods may be humankind's favorite beverage, the mammalian connection with our ancestral tether to the First Mom, whoever that was, she endures today, ageless, the kind milk of good luck and evolution.

But, the taste and texture aren't universally loved or even liked, despite milk's intrinsic history and stature. Everyone knows folks who dislike dairy, and typically nature doesn't need it beyond early infancy.

Yet, although the more valuable for life, water cannot quench the perpetual mortal thirsts for comfort, security, and family.