Turmeric milk, (aka Haldi Doodh), also known as golden milk, is a healthy Indian drink recipe gaining popularity in the West. It is prepared with milk, turmeric, black pepper and lightly sweetened with honey. This Haldi Doodh recipe is an ancient healing remedy commonly used in India to treat fever, colds, cough, 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.
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.
Jump to:
- What is Golden Milk?
- Turmeric Milk Benefits
- Why You'll Love This Turmeric Milk Recipe
- Ingredients for Turmeric Golden Milk
- How to Make Turmeric Golden Milk Recipe
- Recipe Variations
- Serving Suggestions
- How to Store?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Curries to Make with Turmeric Powder?
- More Beverages
- Golden Turmeric Milk
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
- Reduce inflammation and joint pain
- Reduce 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 added to Indian cooking, like curries, soups, dals, and dry veggie preparation.
Why You'll Love This Turmeric Milk Recipe
- Soothing
- Tasty
- Easy to make
- Healthy
- Versatile, you can enjoy it warm or cold.
- Vegetarian, gluten-free, and can be made vegan
Ingredients for Turmeric Golden Milk
- 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 or maple syrup to sweeten.
How to Make Turmeric Golden Milk Recipe
Heat 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 turmeric powder and 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 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.
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 the 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 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.
Curries to Make with Turmeric Powder?
- Zucchini Besan Sabzi
- Aloo Green Beans Curry
- Zucchini Stir Fry
- Lauki Sabji (Bottle Gourd Curry)
- Black Eyed Pea Curry
More Beverages
- Mango Lassi
- Badam Milk
- Avocado Banana Smoothie
- Strawberry Orange Juice
- Strawberry Blueberry Smoothie
- Banana Juice
- Ash Gourd Juice
- Masala Chai
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Golden Turmeric Milk
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk (or coconut, soy, almond, cashew milk)
- ½ teaspoon organic turmeric powder
- a 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:Â 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.
Anonymous says
Thank you for the recipe!
bhavana says
Hope you will like this healthy recipe.
Ron says
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.