Golden milk recipe – A perfect bedtime drink!!

Last Updated on June 10, 2021 by Sindhu

Golden milk a.k.a Turmeric milk has been a time-tested recipe in all Indian households. Let’s find out how to whip up this soothing and anti-inflammatory drink in a jiffy.

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I know I write a lot about turmeric, but I really can’t figure out how much is too much when it comes to talking about turmeric health benefits 🙂

Turmeric milk aka Golden milk recipes are all over the internet and I was actually a little intimidated when I starting writing this post.

But then you know, it’s turmeric and I really couldn’t stop myself from publishing the recipe which I have been following since childhood.

Everyone knows that turmeric has an enormous list of benefits but the main tricky part is how to effectively use it?

The Indian way of using turmeric is both a scientifically proven and time-tested method.
And Golden milk or Turmeric milk is the recipe that is based on the very same basic principles.

Why wind up your day with a cup of Golden Milk?

Most of the people are tired by the end of the day and the last thing they want to do is to whip up a bedtime drink which takes a lot of time and energy.

There comes Golden milk to the rescue, which can be prepared in under 5-10 minutes.

Moreover, this drink in particular, unlike other teas or milk beverages is preferred during the night compared to day.

Because both turmeric and milk help in having better sleep and makes you feel energetic the next morning.

Turmeric is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties and thus helping with chronic pain.

Why is it called Golden milk?

The main component in this recipe is Turmeric which is also called Golden spice because of the color which it imparts to the food.

When it is mixed with milk, the end product is a beautiful yellow-colored beverage loaded with anti-inflammatory properties.
And that is the reason it is called Golden milk.

Other names for this drink include Turmeric milk, Golden latte, Golden milk tea, Haldi doodh(in Hindi).

Ingredients for Golden milk recipe

• Turmeric powder
• Milk (Whole milk or plant-based milk)
• Black pepper
• Sweetener

1. Turmeric:

Dry ground turmeric or fresh rhizome can be used in this recipe. But today we will see how to do it with the Turmeric powder.

There are many types of turmeric available and that significantly affects the color of the Golden milk at the end.

Note: Since most of the turmeric samples contain a high amount of lead, it is always advisable to go for organic turmeric powder.

What does Turmeric taste like?

Many first-time users might be really curious about turmeric taste.

To begin with, Turmeric is a Rhizome(root). So it has that earthy and pungent flavor combined with musky and bitter undertones.

2. Milk

With the modern vegan and dairy-free options being popular, whole milk can be easily swapped with any plant-based milk like almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, coconut milk, or cashew milk.

But the tricky part is you need fat for your body to absorb the Curcumin (which is only 3% of turmeric) as it is fat-soluble.

So when you are opting for plant-based milk, it is best to go for the ones which have the fat content intact.

If that is not possible, you could add some other healthy fat such as coconut oil, ghee, olive oil to the recipe.

3. Black pepper

The reason for using black pepper in this recipe is, it helps in the Curcumin absorption by more than 2000%.

All this is because of a compound called Piperine which is present in black pepper and also in some other types of peppers.

It is also advisable to always freshly grind the black peppercorns as the oils are very volatile.

4. Sweetener

Any sweetener can be used for this recipe depending on the taste preference. Whereas unrefined sugar is used in traditional recipes.

Honey also can also be used as it helps with better sleep.

Other healthier sweeteners like Brown sugar, Maple syrup are also a good option.

5. Optional add-on’s:

• Rose petals: Rose petals give this drink a sophisticated touch as their flavor pairs very well with milk. Not to mention how beautiful they look on Golden colored milk.
• Cinnamon: Cinnamon is typically not used in the traditional recipe but it also blends perfectly with milk and turmeric.
• Ginger: Dry ginger powder or ginger powder makes a very good addition to the Golden milk. Ginger helps in soothing cough and cold and alleviates congestion.
• Fat: Healthy fats like coconut oil, ghee, olive oil should be added if using fat-free milk or plant-based milk.

Now lets get to cooking!!