Ayurvedic Golden milk, also known as Haldi Doodh is a cozy and comforting winter drink that packs in the goodness of healthy ingredients and robust spices.
It starts off with milk as the base, and is then simmered with a slew of traditional Indian spices including turmeric, which lends the drink its bright yellow color.
If you’ve ever tried turmeric latte at your favorite coffee place, you know how deeply soothing and satisfying it can feel, and that’s exactly what turmeric milk concoction does, if not more.
The turmeric and ginger added in this traditional Ayurvedic drink, are famous for their anti-inflammatory properties. When put together, they can help reduce joint pain.
That’s not all- this traditional Indian beverage has a unique blend of spices in just the right proportions, which is thought to offer your body a big punch of antioxidants and strengthen it.
Crafted with a few simple spices, this Ayurvedic drink is thought to offer lots of health benefits, and is one Indian drink recipe you definitely need to try out!
Jump to:
- What's So Great About the Ayurvedic Golden Milk?
- Ingredients For the Ayurvedic Turmeric Milk Recipe
- How to Make Ayurvedic Golden Milk
- Substitutions
- Equipment
- How to Store the Leftover Turmeric Milk
- 💭Top Tip
- FAQs
- Tips & Tricks to Nail the Recipe
- How to Serve Turmeric Milk
- Ayurvedic Turmeric Milk
- Related Recipes
- Food Safety
What's So Great About the Ayurvedic Golden Milk?
Golden turmeric milk has become super popular in recent years after the benefits of turmeric hit the spotlight.
Truth is, this drink is so much more than your golden milk latte.
Turmeric contains a compound known as curcumin, which packs in a punch when it comes to giving your immune system a nice boost.
It is also a splendid drink to put together and enjoy when you're trying to fight off those blues- curcumin is known to be super powerful and helpful in tackling the symptoms of depression.
Ingredients For the Ayurvedic Turmeric Milk Recipe
You'll find several versions of the Ayurvedic golden milk, but my tried and tested version has been a complete hit for many reasons.
I use just a few classic spices in just the right proportions so that they don't end up overpowering the taste of the drink, and balance it out with some honey for sweetness.
Whole milk: Traditional golden milk is made using whole milk, so that’s what I went for. The fat in the whole milk is thought to help improve the body’s absorption of all the spices.
Turmeric powder: I used ground turmeric for this recipe, but you can totally use fresh turmeric root too, if you can get your hands on it.
Ginger powder: A dash of ginger powder can bring a beautiful earthy aroma to the golden milk.
Cinnamon powder: Cinnamon powder is another essential spice added into the mix, and is thought to pack in many health benefits.
Pepper powder: I also added a bit of black pepper powder to balance out the other flavors in this turmeric milk recipe.
Honey: Honey adds that hint of sweetness to the drink, and balances out the bit of bitterness that comes with adding the ground turmeric powder.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Ayurvedic Golden Milk
Ready to try the best golden milk recipe? Here's the step by step guide to help you out!
Mix all the spices together in a small bowl. Heat milk in a pot over low heat and add in the spices.
Let this simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow it to cool down a bit.
Now add in the honey and pepper powder and give it a good mix. Serve immediately.
Tip: Remember to wear an apron while putting the golden milk together- the turmeric can stain your clothes, and it can be quite difficult to come off too!
Substitutions
You'll need just a few simple ingredients and spices to put this Ayurvedic golden milk together.
- If you don't have the powdered ginger the recipe calls for, you can use a bit of freshly grated ginger instead.
- If you don't have cinnamon powder, you can use a small whole cinnamon stick instead.
The spices used in golden milk are pretty much optional- if you can’t find them, it is completely okay to skip them.
Just remember that the essence of this milk drink is turmeric or curcumin and full fat milk, with a bit of a sweetener, if you’re really up for it.
Equipment
You don't need any fancy equipment to put this drink together. Just a simple pot, a strainer and a couple of cups is all you need.
How to Store the Leftover Turmeric Milk
Your leftover golden milk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. You can then reheat it in the microwave or over the stovetop and then enjoy it when you want to.
You can also make a turmeric paste and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. Then, when you want to make turmeric milk, all you need to do is mix the golden paste with some hot milk and you’re sorted.
This can be a great option if you’re planning to consume turmeric milk on a regular basis. Just a teaspoon of turmeric paste can be mixed into the milk and enjoyed as a quick, authentic golden milk.
💭Top Tip
If you're using honey as the sweetener, make sure you add it towards the end, and not while the drink is still hot.
FAQs
This recipe can easily be prepped ahead of time. Simply combine all the spices together and store them in a jar. Then, all you need to do is combine them with the milk and honey when you want to make this drink.
Haldi doodh is best consumed right before bedtime. It has amazing healing and calming properties, and can also help you get a good night's sleep by relaxing your nervous system.
You sure can! Just swap the whole milk in the recipe for unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, cashew milk, soy milk or any dairy-free milk of your choice.
Remember to use an unsweetened variety, since you'll be adding the honey for sweetness.
While it is a great idea to make golden milk using full fat cow’s milk, if you don’t have it at hand, you can use a low fat version too.
Ginger is actually crucial for this recipe, because it is what lends that warmth and earthiness.
Tips & Tricks to Nail the Recipe
- Honey is actually the best sweetener for this recipe, but if you don't have it at hand, you can make do with jaggery or maple syrup too.
- If you're using low fat milk for the recipe, you might want to add a teaspoon of ghee or coconut oil into the milk. The fat is actually what helps speed up the absorption of the turmeric, and adds a lot of flavor and deliciousness to the drink.
- Once you've simmered the golden milk, give it a quick taste. If it seems too bitter for your taste, you can add more milk or balance it out by adding some more honey or a dash of vanilla.
- Cardamom is another great addition to consider including in your golden milk. It lends a nice, unique flavor and sweetness that balances out the warmth from the other spices.
- Ancient Ayurveda practices also call for the use of ghee (clarified butter) to be added in along with the other ingredients.
How to Serve Turmeric Milk
This Ayurvedic golden milk is also known as golden turmeric latte and even golden milk tea in some parts of the world.
All of these are essentially made by combining milk with turmeric, with maybe a sweetener or some spices added in.
The best way to enjoy this drink made with turmeric is to have it at bedtime. Warm milk is thought to calm down anxiety levels, promote relaxation and induce sleep naturally, and this turmeric milk or Haldi Doodh does just that if not more.
Ayurvedic Turmeric Milk
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- ¼ teaspoon ginger powder
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder
- ¼ teaspoon pepper powder optional
- 2 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Mix all the spices together in a small bowl.
- Heat milk in a pot over low heat and add in the spices.
- Let this simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow it to cool down a bit.
- Now add in the honey and pepper powder and give it a good mix.
- Enjoy immediately.
Nutrition
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Food Safety
- 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