Vegan Turmeric Latte (Golden Milk)

Full of plant milks and warming spices like turmeric, saffron, ginger, cardamom, and nutmeg, this vegan turmeric latte is a comforting beverage. This vegan golden milk recipe is inspired by what my mom made growing up. Growing up, haldi doodh, otherwise known as golden milk or turmeric latte, was a home remedy for all our health problems. It was often served at the end of the day, right before we went to bed, especially on cold winter nights. My mom always added a pinch of saffron to haldi doodh; she did this because according to ayurveda, saffron has its own anti-inflammatory and mood-lifting properties and I absolutely love the distinct floral, slightly honey-like taste that saffron adds. It complements turmeric’s earthiness without clashing.

WHAT IS GOLDEN MILK AND WHAT DOES IT TASTE LIKE?

“Golden Milk”, also known as turmeric milk, turmeric latte, or Haldi ka doodh in Hindi, is a creamy Indian drink made from dairy or non-dairy (almond or coconut) milk and turmeric powder, which gives it a striking yellow color. Golden milk has been used as a home remedy for coughs, weight loss, congestion, colds, insomnia, and skin problems as it contains anti-inflammatory properties such as turmeric and ginger along with other bold spices. This golden milk recipe is incredibly rich and creamy with a slightly spicy undertone, and I usually add a dash of natural sweetener to create a perfectly balanced drink. Cut down on your coffee intake and add this soothing caffeine-free drink to your breakfast routine, drink it before bedtime for a powerful sleep tonic, or have it at any time of the day to warm up instantly! If you don’t need a hot drink to have in cooler weather, you may be interested in trying my Sparkling Strawberry Basil Mocktail for a refreshing drink during the heat of the summer.

I cannot remember the first time I had haldhi doodh. As long as I can remember, I have been having it. As a little girl, I did not love it. I did not like the taste or the smell of it. I remember holding my nose and gulping down the milk because I had to and I did not have a choice. My mother and grandmother made sure I had it most evenings, especially in the winter months before going to bed.

When I moved to the U.S., I did not have it or make it for a while. I had forgotten all about it until I was postpartum and my mom made it for me. Now, when I get sick or the kids are under the weather, I make it for them.

WHAT ARE THE NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS OF GOLDEN MILK?

Golden milk lattes have been used for medicinal purposes in ancient Ayurvedic medicine dating back 3,000 years. Ayurveda is an alternative medicine system with historical roots in  India. In Sanskrit, Ayurveda means “the science of life,” focusing on food acting as medicine to the body and mind. In the West, golden milk has become popularized over the last decade due to the discovery of turmeric, which is now touted as a “superfood”.

Hailing from the same family as ginger, turmeric is a natural coloring agent and flavor enhancer in so many traditional Indian dishes, where it has been a staple kitchen ingredient for a long time in both its root and, more commonly now, powdered forms. Growing up in India, I had turmeric at least twice a day because it was in practically every meal. We ate dals, lentils, curries, and rice dishes with plenty of turmeric and other medicinal spices such as cumin and ginger. Golden milk, my favorite turmeric recipe, is celebrated for its anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and high-antioxidant benefits among so many others thanks to curcumin, its active ingredient.

While the benefits of turmeric cannot be overstated, the other ingredients in this golden milk are just as good for you! Ginger and cinnamon are also known for their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties and help boost your immune system, according to WebMD. In India, where golden milk is a common drink, it’s often used as a remedy for the common cold.

One of the main components of this vegan turmeric latte – coconut milk – is rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), AKA the “good fat”. MCTs have been studied for their effect on weight loss due to the increase they create in leptin, a hormone that is responsible for making you feel more satisfied and full after a meal.

HOW TO MAKE A TURMERIC LATTE

Let’s start with ingredients…

• Coconut Milk: Use canned light or full-fat coconut milk, but don’t confuse it with the coconut milk that comes in a carton because that stuff is way too watered down. If you don’t like coconut milk or don’t have any on hand, you can double the amount of almond milk and add a little bit of coconut oil (unrefined for maximum health benefits) to emulate the creaminess that coconut milk provides.
• Unsweetened Almond Milk: You can use store-bought almond milk but I prefer to make my own. (Follow my easy Almond Milk recipe if you want to try making yours at home, too!) Cashew and hemp milk are also wonderful substitutions.
• Turmeric Powder: Turmeric in its powdered form is much easier to find and prepare than fresh turmeric, which can stain clothing, countertops, and even your hands! Wear gloves and try to wipe or wash away turmeric as quickly as you can from any surfaces it gets on.
• Ginger Powder: Ginger is peppery and sweet in flavor and pungent in aroma. If you want a real heat kick in your latte, you can use a microplane to grate a small amount of ginger directly into the pot instead of using ginger powder.
• Cinnamon Stick: Cinnamon adds just a touch of sweetness to the latte. Cinnamon sticks aren’t edible, though, and should be taken out before consuming the milk. Substitute with 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon powder if you want to keep that sweetness!
• Cardamom Powder: Both sweet and somewhat spicy, cardamom is a great complement to other spices such as cinnamon and ginger. I often use it in small amounts in dessert recipes because it has a very strong flavor.
• Saffron: Known to be the most expensive spice in the world, saffron gives this latte a red color pop and a unique earthy yet floral flavor. A little saffron goes a long way and all you need is a small pinch, about 3-5 strands.
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper: “Freshly” is the keyword, here — prepared ground pepper that sits in your cupboard tends to lose its zing over time. Adding a few twists of freshly ground black pepper and combining it with fat (coconut milk, in this case) is said to improve the bioavailability of curcumin, the main active ingredient in turmeric. Just a small amount of freshly ground black pepper will give you that perfect synergy!
• Sweetener: Maple syrup, coconut sugar, honey (if not vegan), stevia, agave, brown rice syrup — basically any sweetener will work here!

Some of these spices (saffron and cardamom, in particular) may be a little difficult to acquire in your local grocery store, but you can definitely find them on Amazon. Once you build up a spice pantry you’ll be able to use these spice jars for months to come, so they are worthwhile investments!

Bonus: As an alternative to plant-based milk, if you want to reap the benefits of turmeric and ginger but don’t want a creamy milk texture, try my yummy Ginger Turmeric Tea recipe.

Now, let’s make the latte…

1. Add all of these ingredients in a small saucepan and heat them gently on low heat for 4-5 minutes. It’s important to remember not to overcook the spices as they may burn easily and lose their nutritional potency.
2. Remove the cinnamon stick (or keep it in if taking an Instagram-worthy shot!) and enjoy.

Milk Alternatives

Growing up, I always had haldhi doodh with whole milk. I have tried making the traditional golden milk recipe vegan with all sorts of plant-based milk varieties and combinations. However, our family favorite is combination of coconut and almond milk. We love fat and the creamy texture of this combination and boiling these does not break the milk or separate fat. If you would like to use other varieties of plant-based milk, you definitely could. The results of this saffron turmeric latte will just be a little different. Here are the benefits of different types of plant milks for this vegan turmeric latte recipe:

• Coconut milk: For a coconut milk turmeric latte, you could choose to use only coconut milk. It is rich and creamy, resulting in a frothier beverage. It also works well if you want to create frothed milk for your latte.
• Almond milk: This is a lighter milk with a slightly nutty flavor.
• Oat milk: For an oat milk turmeric latte, you could choose oat milk instead. Oat milk has a neutral taste and is good for an everyday version

Blooming the Saffron

Vegan golden milk doesn’t always include saffron, instead relying on ground turmeric for that distinctive golden yellow color. However, I like to add saffron to my recipe since my mom always added it to her version. In ayurveda, saffron has anti-inflammatory characteristics and can lift the mood. It has a wonderful floral taste with just a hint of honey that works so well with the earthy taste of the turmeric.

A key to using saffron is allowing it to bloom in liquid which awakens its flavor. For this recipe, you simply add a pinch of saffron to the milks with the other spices before heating it on the stove. The result is a delicious heartwarming beverage with a beautiful golden color.

HOW TO STORE THE LEFTOVERS AND REHEAT

Warm, comforting, and satisfying, this turmeric latte has everything needed to make the cold winter a little easier. It’s so easy to put together in a small pot that it’s almost therapeutic for me to make a fresh cup and drink it right away. If you have any leftovers, just store them in an airtight jar for 2-3 days in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop to serve.

You can also make a larger batch by combining all the spices (turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and saffron) ahead of time and storing them in a large jar sealed with an airtight lid. This way, you can shorten the cooking time even further by simply heating some milk and adding ½-1 tablespoon of the spice mixture, then just grinding up some fresh black pepper on top and adding the sweetener of your choice. You can keep this mixture in the pantry for up to 3 months!

Serving Suggestions

While this vegan golden milk latte is delicious on its own for whenever you need something heartwarming and delicious, you can pair it with an array of dishes as well. It is particularly delicious served for breakfast along with my Easy Sabudana Khichdi but you could really serve it along with any of your breakfast favorites like porridge or vegan banana pancakes. You may also be interested in my Mango Cardamom Smoothie as an addition to your breakfast.

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