Turmeric Milk, also known as Haldi Doodh or Golden Milk, is a traditional Indian drink that’s becoming popular in the West. Made with milk, turmeric, black pepper, and a touch of honey for sweetness, this comforting drink is an age-old remedy often used in India to help treat fever, colds, coughs, and boost immunity.
If you want a warm, soothing, and healthy beverage, this turmeric milk will be perfect for sipping in cold weather. You can prepare this nutritious drink with only four ingredients in under 5 minutes. My other favorite healthy drink to sip is badam milk.
Traditionally, people prepare turmeric milk using fresh turmeric powder and freshly ground black pepper powder. Black pepper helps absorb curcumin, which is present in turmeric. So don't skip adding black pepper. Always use organic turmeric powder.
If you feed turmeric milk to kids, reduce the quantity of turmeric and black pepper and increase the sweetener as per their liking. Don't forget to check out my Indian turmeric yellow rice recipe.
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What is Golden Milk?
Golden milk, also known as turmeric milk, is a traditional Ayurvedic drink originally from India made with turmeric root (or ground turmeric), milk, and soothing spices. It is also referred to as "haldi ka doodh" in India, where "haldi" means turmeric and "doodh" means milk in Hindi.
Golden Milk is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties and, hence, a great immunity booster drink. Enjoy it in the morning or before bed.
In the West, it's referred to as Golden Milk, Turmeric Latte, or Turmeric Milk Tea.
Turmeric Milk Benefits
Drinking warm turmeric milk has many health benefits and is often used as an alternative remedy to boost immunity and relieve illness.
- Rich in antioxidants
- Helps build immunity
- Reduces inflammation and joint pain
- Reduces the risk of cancer
- It has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties
- Cures sore throat, cough, and cold
With so many health benefits of turmeric, you will consider including it in your diet. Turmeric is used in an array of Indian dishes like gujarati kadhi, onion pakoda, khaman dhokla, lemon quinoa preparations.
Ingredients
- Milk: I used whole dairy milk. Any milk will work, you can use almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, cashew milk, soy milk, etc.
- Ground Turmeric: The main ingredient in turmeric milk, gives its golden yellow hue to this drink. Always use organic and good-quality ground turmeric. You can also use fresh turmeric instead of dry spice.
- Black Pepper: A pinch of freshly ground black pepper is added, which helps the body absorb the curcumin that is present in turmeric.
- Sweetener: You can use honey, maple syrup, or jaggery to sweeten.
How to Make Indian Turmeric Milk Recipe
Heat 1 cup of whole milk in a small saucepan and bring it to a boil on a medium-low flame.
Once the milk begins to boil, switch off the gas.
Add ½ teaspoon turmeric powder and 1 pinch of freshly ground black pepper.
Note: Black pepper helps in the absorption of curcumin, which is present in turmeric. So don't skip adding black pepper. Give a stir.
Lastly, stir in 1 teaspoon of honey, and serve haldi doodh hot or warm.
To get extra froth, whip it with a milk frother or pour the haldi milk into the glass from a distance.
Recipe Variations
- Milk: You can use any kind of milk to make this recipe. Vegans can use almond milk, coconut milk, soya milk, oat milk, or cashew milk.
- Sweetener: Adding sweetener is purely up to your preference. It could be raw honey, jaggery, brown sugar, maple syrup, agave, coconut sugar, or any other sweetener you choose.
- Spices: You can also try adding other spices, like ground cinnamon, cardamom, dry ground ginger, etc., for added flavor. You can add grated ginger and whole spices and strain the milk before consuming.
- Iced turmeric latte: If you want to enjoy this drink cold, pour it over some ice and enjoy it during warmer months.
- Vanilla Extract: You can add a little vanilla extract for flavor.
- Fresh Turmeric Root: To make turmeric milk using fresh turmeric root, peel and grate ½ inch turmeric root, boil with milk for 2-3 minutes, and strain the milk. Then add ground pepper powder and sweetener of your choice and serve warm.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the turmeric milk (aka haldi doodh) warm with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon if desired.
You may also pour this beverage over a cup of ice to make an iced turmeric latte.
How to Store?
- Store: You can store the leftover golden milk in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days in an airtight container.
- Reheat: Reheat it in a microwave oven or stovetop until warm, or serve it cold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Substitute regular dairy milk with almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, oat milk, or cashew milk.
If using honey, replace it with jaggery, agave, maple syrup, or brown sugar for a vegan option.
For one cup of milk, add ½ teaspoon of grated ginger, crushed two black peppercorns, one cardamom, ½ inch cinnamon, along with milk, and boil the milk for 10 minutes. Strain and drink warm.
It is most effective when consumed before bedtime. It promotes sleep, and it is believed that milk causes the release of tryptophan, an amino acid essential for sleep.
Adding a pinch of Black pepper helps the body to absorb the curcumin that is present in turmeric.
Traditionally, full-fat cow's milk is used for making haldi doodh. However, you can use any plant-based milk, such as unsweetened almond milk, cashew, or coconut milk.
More Indian Drink Recipes
Golden Turmeric Milk (Haldi Doodh)
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk (or coconut, soy, almond, cashew milk)
- ½ teaspoon organic turmeric powder
- 1 pinch black pepper powder
- 1 teaspoon organic honey (or jaggery)
Instructions
- Heat milk in a small saucepan and bring it to a boil on a medium-low flame.
- Once the milk begins to boil, then switch off the gas.
- Add turmeric powder and pepper powder. Note: Black pepper helps in the absorption of curcumin which is present in turmeric. So dont skip adding black pepper. Mix well
- Lastly, Stir in the honey and serve Haldi doodh hot or warm.
- To get extra froth, whip it with a milk frother or pour the Haldi milk into the glass from a distance.
Notes
Variations
-
- Milk: You can use any kind of milk to make this recipe. Vegans can use almond milk, coconut milk, soya milk, oat milk, or cashew milk.
- Sweetener: Adding sweetener is purely up to your preference. It could be raw honey, jaggery, brown sugar, maple syrup, agave, coconut sugar, or any other sweetener of your choice.
- Spices: You can also try adding other spices, like ground cinnamon, cardamom, dry ground ginger, etc., for added flavor. You can also add grated ginger and whole spices and strain the milk before consuming.
- Iced turmeric latte: If you want to enjoy this drink cold, pour it over some ice and enjoy it during warmer months.
- Vanilla Extract: You can add a little vanilla extract for the flavor.
- Fresh Turmeric Root: To make turmeric milk using fresh turmeric root, peel and grate ½ inch turmeric root and boil with milk for 2-3 minutes, and strain the milk. Then add ground pepper powder and sweetener of your choice and serve warm.
Nutrition
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Ron
Good basic recipe and I usually add cinnamon, ginger and a dash of nutmeg to finish when served. Also I grind black pepper corns fresh. Using a stick blender helps too.
Anonymous
Thank you for the recipe!
bhavana
Hope you will like this healthy recipe.