Golden Milk (Paleo, Dairy Free)

If you’re sore, achy, or under the weather—or even if you’re feeling right as rain—treat yourself to a warm and delicious mug of Golden Milk! 

When the weather gets chilly, I love making myself a mug of Golden Milk to relax and warm me up from the inside out. Many of you already have my favorite recipe for Golden Milk because it’s the one I share in our second cookbook, Ready or Not! In the spirit of the holidays, I’m gonna share the recipe here today. After all, I think we can all use a piping hot cup of deliciousness!

What is Golden Milk?

Golden Milk is a traditional hot Indian drink made with turmeric and milk. If you’re at a hipster coffee shop, it might be called turmeric latte or turmeric milk. Turmeric’s been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years to treat a wide range of conditions, and modern research suggests that it may help reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, and treat digestive problems. But to be better absorbed in our bodies, turmeric needs to be consumed with a bit of fat and piperine, which is why it’s often combined with coconut milk and black pepper.

What does it taste like?

Golden Milk tastes like mildly sweetened coconut milk infused with earthy, spicy, and slightly bitter flavors. I like making this hot beverage with fresh turmeric and ginger root when I can find them at the market, but ground turmeric (my favorite ground turmeric is from Diaspora Co.) and ground ginger also work. In fact, you may already have all the ingredients in your pantry right now to make this fabulous elixir!

Can you use other dairy-free milks?

Yes! You can use almond, cashew, or oat milk in place of coconut milk and your Golden Milk will taste great. The one change I would make is to use 3¾ cups of the alternative milk and not add the 2 cups of water—there’s no need to dilute it like full-fat coconut milk.

How to save and reheat leftover Golden Milk?

This recipe makes 4 cups, so depending on your love of Golden Milk, that can mean 4 servings or 2 large ones. If you have leftover Golden Milk, you can keep it in the fridge in a sealed container for up to four days. Warm up the milk in a saucepan, stirring well, until simmering. Alternatively, you can nuke it in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes or until hot—make sure to use a milk frother or whisk to mix it well before serving.

Let’s Make Golden Milk!

Makes 4 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 (14-ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
• 1 (3-inch) dried cinnamon stick or ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 (1-inch) pieces fresh turmeric, peeled and thinly sliced or 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 (1-inch) piece ginger, peeled and thinly sliced or ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon honey, and more to taste (optional)
• Ground cinnamon (for serving)

Method:

Toss the coconut milk, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, black pepper, and honey into a small saucepan.

Whisk in 2 cups of water.

Bring the contents to a low boil over high heat. Then, reduce the heat to maintain a simmer, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes. (If using ground spices, simply bring to a simmer and whisk well before serving.)

Pour the milk through a strainer or cheesecloth to catch and discard the chunks.

Taste and add additional honey if desired. Pour the milk into mugs, and top with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon.

Got extra turmeric?

Here are some of my favorite recipes that use this versatile spice!

• Golden Glow Smoothie
• Instant Pot Atakilt Wat (Ethiopian Cabbage Stew)
• Sweet Potato and Cashew Dip
• Deconstructed Samosas (Spiced Keema)
• Curried Meat Pies

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Looking for more recipe ideas? Head on over to my Recipe Index. You’ll also find exclusive recipes on my iPhone and iPad app, and in my cookbooks, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2013), Ready or Not! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017), and Nom Nom Paleo: Let’s Go! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2021).

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