Golden Milk Recipe (Turmeric Milk / Haldi Doodh)

Haldi means turmeric and doodh means milk in Hindi, so haldi doodh is simply turmeric milk. Turmeric latte, golden milk latte, and haldi ka doodh all mean the same thing: warm milk with turmeric, without the caffeine. It's called golden milk for its beautiful color, and it's a warm, earthy drink with spicy and citrusy undertones. Turmeric and its active compound, curcumin, are the hero ingredients. When it's made with warming spices, it's also called masala doodh.

Turmeric is a widely used spice in Indian cuisine. We add it to almost everything, sweet or savory. On my homemade turmeric powder post, I've shared the benefits of turmeric and how to use it in everyday cooking. Turmeric milk is one of the most common Indian beverages, made in nearly every household for generations. To us, it's what hot chocolate is to the West.

It's also mentioned in Ayurveda. I grew up drinking haldi wala doodh. Mom, believing in this age-old remedy, would give us a glass of warm haldi doodh (made with warm milk, turmeric, and sugar) before bedtime for a good night's sleep, or whenever any of us had a cold, cough, sore throat, or fever. You can keep it simple, the way our moms made it, or make an elevated version by mixing hot milk with ground turmeric and other warming spices.

Golden milk can be a comforting part of a balanced diet, and curcumin is widely studied for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Most of that research uses concentrated curcumin rather than a single cup of turmeric milk, so enjoy it for its flavor and tradition, not as a treatment for any condition.

I made mine with almond milk, so it's dairy-free and ready in just 10 minutes. No need to run to Starbucks every time you're craving a turmeric latte.

Milk: You can make this golden milk (haldi ka doodh) with regular or dairy-free milk. If using regular milk, full-fat or low-fat both work. For a dairy-free golden milk latte, use almond, cashew, oat, soy, or coconut milk (from a carton, not a can). I have used almond milk.

Turmeric: Use a good-quality organic turmeric powder. I prefer making it at home, but it's also easy to find in any grocery store. It's clean and has just one ingredient: turmeric roots. Turmeric contains curcumin and has long been valued in Ayurveda for its anti-inflammatory properties. It also lends a natural yellow color to this golden turmeric latte.

Warming spices: Ginger powder (or fresh ginger), cardamom (pods or powder), ground black peppercorns, ground or whole cloves, ground nutmeg, saffron, and ground cinnamon are the basic spices you'll need for this turmeric latte recipe.

Ginger adds warmth and is traditionally included to help with digestion. Black pepper contains piperine, which is widely known to boost curcumin absorption. Cloves, cinnamon, and ginger also contain antioxidants and are valued for their anti-inflammatory properties.

Sweetener: Any variety of sugar works. You can also use maple syrup or vegan honey. Date syrup or jaggery powder will work too, though they'll change the color of the drink a little.

Vanilla extract: It adds a sweet, fragrant note, but you can skip it.

Pour the golden milk into serving glasses. You can garnish it with crushed edible rose petals or fried, chopped mixed nuts. For a frothy golden milk latte, use a milk frother or pour the mixture into a blender and blend until frothy. Stir the turmeric latte before sipping, since turmeric doesn't dissolve fully and settles at the bottom of the cup.

Serve this turmeric milk hot or warm, right after making it. For a café-style finish, top it with whipped cream (coconut whipped cream keeps it dairy-free). It's a soothing, comforting drink, and this caffeine-free golden milk latte is the perfect pick-me-up any time of day. Sip this golden elixir of haldi doodh in sickness and in health!

Golden milk goes well with a light breakfast. Enjoy it alongside a warm bowl of Teff Porridge, soft Rava Idli, Tomato Rava Upma, Oats Upma, or Cilantro Poha for a cozy morning.

Best Time to Drink Turmeric Milk

The best time to drink turmeric milk is traditionally at breakfast or just before bed. It's especially popular in winter and during allergy season, and it's the drink many Indian families make when someone at home has a cold, cough, or sore throat, or is simply feeling under the weather.

A warm cup of this golden turmeric latte is deeply comforting, and it's a lovely way to wind down in the evening if you want a restful night. This soothing turmeric milk is a regular habit in many homes, for adults and children alike, enjoyed in moderation.

If you're pregnant, take blood thinners, or have gallbladder or kidney problems, please check with your doctor before making turmeric milk a daily habit.