Authentic Golden Milk (Turmeric Milk Tea)

Yes, this Golden Milk recipe is easy, traditional, and optimized for absorption, but the real clutch? It’s outrageously delicious. The key is not to overload it with turmeric, which can make it taste medicinal and bitter. Plus, using a balanced blend of spices adds flavor and warmth while enhancing its nourishing properties. Comfort in a cup!

“So delicious—I’m sometimes super lazy and make it with commercial tea bags of golden milk blend, but your recipe is 1000x better, and I always regret not taking the extra few seconds to make a batch of the real deal. Making some again later this week, and can’t wait!”

Kathryn

I have a blog with the words ‘tea’ and ‘turmeric’, a blog that reflects on the balancing act of modernizing traditional recipes, a blog that celebrates the wisdom of South Asian cooking.

Sharing this recipe is practically a civic duty.

What is Golden Milk?

Turmeric Milk, or Haldi ka Doodh, is a nourishing Indian drink made with turmeric and milk. Here in the West, it’s often referred to as Golden Milk. Long used in ancient Ayurvedic medicine, Golden Milk is known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Like Masala Chai, Turmeric Milk has evolved and morphed into so many beautiful drinks. Whatever the variation, the consensus is that it’s a life-giving drink that happens to taste (and feel) good!

Difference between Modern Golden Milk and Traditional Turmeric Milk

Although the ‘traditional’ recipe varies from family to family (see Nandita Godbole’s deep dive into traditional vs trendy Golden Milk), there are some common themes I’ve noticed between the Turmeric Milk I grew up with and the reinvented version I most often see today.

Traditional Turmeric Milk	Modern Golden Milk
usually made with turmeric powder	sometimes made with fresh turmeric root
made with whole milk	often made with alternative milks
not frothed	frothed
simple, with minimal flavoring	often enhanced with other spices & flavorings
sweetened with gud (jaggery), honey, and even sugar	sweetened with maple syrup or alternate sweeteners

Though my recipe has invariably steered from the classic version (the vanilla is optional, I promise), the crux is there – whole milk, turmeric powder, and traditional spices.

Ingredients

I know this recipe has a long list of spices. Feel free to substitute with ground spices, or omit the ones you don’t have on hand. Keep it as basic or supercharged as you’d like. Remember, besides the milk & turmeric (and arguably a sweetener), almost everything else could technically be optional.

• Water: Accounts for evaporation and prevents the drink from getting heavy.
• Milk: Whole milk is traditional but you can use any dairy-free milk such as almond milk, coconut milk, or oat milk. If using a low-fat milk, see note on how to optimize for absorption.
• Black peppercorns: The piperine (the compound in black pepper that enhances turmeric absorption) in black pepper makes it an essential ingredient if you’re aiming to get the most health benefits. I’d suggest either using whole or freshly ground peppercorns, as pre-ground black pepper may have lost its beneficial properties.
• Cinnamon stick and Cardamom pod: Often added to traditional recipes for the flavor and health benefits.
  • If substituting powder, use 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon and a generous pinch cardamom powder.
• Clove: This could very well be optional, but throw one in if you’ve got it.
• Sweetener: I most often use honey, but you can use any you’d like.

Optional Ingredients

• Star Anise: Adds a subtle floral taste. I usually break off a piece of the star anise instead of using the whole star. Since Star Anise is less likely to be found in most people’s spice cabinets (I use it for recipes like Biryani and Nihari), I’ve left it optional.
• Vanilla: Very much inauthentic, but isn’t everything at one point? 😇
• Ginger: I had Golden Milk at a café in L.A. and the ginger was almost unbearably intense, yet it ignited in me an inclination to throw a slice of ginger into my own turmeric milk. For stronger flavor, feel free to crush or mince the ginger.
• Ghee or coconut oil: In traditional recipes, ghee would be sometimes be added for extra nutrition and healthy fats.

Turmeric Powder (Ground Turmeric)

• Quality: I wish I was fancy enough to always source the highest quality organic turmeric from reputable, single-origin sources. But reality dictates that I often grab the most vibrant colored one with the farthest expiration date from my local Desi store or supermarket.
• Quantity: More doesn’t always mean better. If you’re new to turmeric milk, start with 1/4 tsp, then add more according to taste and color (potency varies from powder to powder). I usually use 1/2 tsp, but any more than 1 tsp and it starts to taste medicinal and grainy.

Fun Fact: Curcumin, the active & most beneficial component of turmeric, is what gives turmeric its deep yellow color. Turmeric powders come with varying levels of curcumin content.

How to Make Golden Milk

Here’s the simple step-by-step:

• Place a saucepan over medium-high heat. I add water first to prevent the milk from sticking to the hot saucepan.
• Add all the ingredients but the coconut oil/ghee (if using) and sweetener.

• Stir or use a whisk to combine.
• The key is make sure the turmeric powder dissolves into the milk before taking it off the heat.

• If you’d like, simmer for a few extra minutes to infuse the spices even more. The turmeric will still retains its health properties.

• Strain into your cup. Add ghee/coconut oil if you’d like.
• Sweeten to taste. 1 tsp honey is on the lower end, so taste and adjust if you’d like more.

How to Optimize Turmeric for Absorption

Curcumin (the active compound in turmeric) alone is poorly-absorbed by the body, but a couple things help make it more bioavailable:

1. Just a small amount of black pepper increases the bioavailability of the turmeric by 2000%.
2. Because both piperine and curcumin are fat-soluble, turmeric is better absorbed with a fat. For example, turmeric is often used in curries, where there’s always a fat element.
   • Though the fat content in whole milk may be enough, I’ve included the option to use coconut oil or ghee if you’re using a low-fat dairy-free milk such as rice milk.

With all this talk about its medicinal properties, I don’t want to undermine that this drink is truly delicious! The warming spices, the full-bodied, earthy taste, and the soothing aroma…as cliché as it sounds, it’s not just a drink, it’s an experience. So slow down, relax, and focus on how you’re nourishing your body while enjoying a unique and flavorful beverage. If you try it, I’d love to know in the comments below!

More Pakistani and Indian Drink Recipes

• Authentic Pakistani Chai
• 20-Minute Kashmiri Chai Recipe (Pink Tea)
• Masala Chai
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• Sweet Lassi