Turmeric Latte with Almond Milk {Golden Milk Recipe}

Name: Turmeric Latte with Almond Milk {Golden Milk Recipe}
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups light coconut milk ((from the can)); 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk; 1 1/4 tsp ground turmeric; 1/4 tsp ground ginger; 1 stick cinnamon ((can sub in 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, or more to taste)); Pinch freshly ground pepper; 1/2 tbsp pure vanilla extract; 2-3 tbsp maple syrup ((or sub in other desired sweetener))

If you’re looking for the ultimate warm and soothing beverage, this turmeric latte will be your new best friend. Made with almond milk and coconut milk, this golden milk recipe is incredibly rich and creamy and has just the right amount of spices and sweetness to keep you feeling relaxed and satisfied. It can be made in less than 10 minutes! {Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, & paleo}

Turmeric latte with a spoonful of turmeric, cinnamon stick and ginger.

Vegan Golden Milk – The Ultimate Cozy Drink!

I’ve been hearing all about the wonders of the turmeric latte (also commonly referred to as golden milk) and finally my curiosity got the best of me.

I NEEDED to try this stuff out.

The name alone had me intrigued, but then, with the whole load of health benefits associated with this hot drink? It was kinda hard to ignore.

This golden milk turmeric latte is made with a combination of almond milk and coconut milk and a delicious blend of spices for pretty much the best comforting drink ever. It’s such a simple recipe and so warm, creamy and soothing!

You’ll definitely want to add this nutritious drink to your list of must-try recipes!

Pumpkin Spice Iced Coffee

What is a Golden Milk Latte?

Golden milk also commonly called turmeric milk is a beverage that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, but has recently become very popular in the Western world. In the Hindi language, golden milk is referred to as “haldi ka doodh,” where haldi means turmeric and “doodh” means milk.

This warm beverage is basically a combination of milk (traditionally cow’s milk was used, but you can also use dairy-free alternatives such as almond milk and coconut milk) and a variety of spices with a host of nutritious properties.

It also happens to be an incredibly relaxing beverage that totally warms your soul.

A hand pouring turmeric milk latte into a white mug.

Why You Need This Golden Latte In Your Life

Soothing and comforting: The second you take a sip of this latte, you’ll know what I’m talking about. This is like stress-relief in a cup. Although some sources say that golden milk can help you sleep, there isn’t much research to support this theory. However, it could just be that having a warm drink before bed relaxes your body, helping you drift off to sleep faster.

Easy to make: With only a handful of ingredients and prep time less than 10 minutes, you’ll definitely want to add this soothing beverage to your life on a regular basis.

Very tasty: There’s something about the creaminess of the milk and the combination of the spices and hint of sweetness that makes you want to sip on this delicious drink on repeat. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it’s very addictive.

Super healthy: There are so many nutrients packed into this latte. It’s definitely a hot beverage you can feel good about drinking!

Turmeric Latte Benefits

Let me just start off by stating that this beverage is a nutritional powerhouse!

I mean, can you really go wrong drinking a cup full of antioxidant-rich spices that also happen to have anti-inflammatory properties?

Turmeric latte with spoonful of turmeric, cinnamon stick and ginger.

Here are some benefits of consuming this latte:

Rich in antioxidants. The compound in turmeric that gives it its yellow hue is called curcumin, and this compound contains high levels of antioxidants. Powerful antioxidants like this can reduce the risk of diseases and help slow the aging process (source).
Enhance antiobody responses: Curcumin at low doses can also enhance antibody responses. This suggests that the beneficial effects commonly reported in arthritis, allergy, asthma, atherosclerosis, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and cancer as a result of consuming curcumin might be partially due to its ability to modulate the immune system (source).
Contains anti-inflammatory properties. One of turmeric’s most researched benefits is its effects on inflammation. It’s been shown to reduce inflammation in the body, which could help reduce the risk of chronic disease and manage inflammatory conditions such as arthritis (source). These properties also come from the good ol’ curcumin compound.
Source of nutrients such as Manganese and Iron. Manganese is a mineral that also offers anti-inflammatory benefits, and will also help to protect your bones and prevent osteoporosis. Additionally, it helps in the formation of connective tissue and metabolization of fat and carbs. Iron is an important mineral for overall good health. Your body needs it to make blood cells that carry oxygen to all the parts of your body. Iron is also needed for growth, development and producing specific hormones.

Read more about the benefits of this nutrient-rich beverage here.

There’s a whole load of reasons to make this drink happen ASAP!

Ingredient Notes

What I love most about this recipe is that it doesn’t require any fancy ingredients. Chances are you have most of these items in your cupboard already!

Here’s what you need:

Coconut milk: If you prefer to use full-fat coconut milk instead of light, you can certainly do so. I’ve tried it both ways and it turned out really good each time. The full fat variety tends to provide a slightly creamier and richer taste, but will also increase the overall fat and calorie content.
Almond milk: Adds a slight nutty flavour. Use unsweetened almond milk to limit added sugar. You can also sub in cow’s milk or another non-dairy milk such as soy milk, oat milk or cashew milk. Keep in mind that the type of milk you choose will impact the overall taste and texture of the latte.
Turmeric: Provides this beverage with that famous golden colour. Although I haven’t personally tried it myself, you can use fresh turmeric instead of the dry spice.
Ground Ginger: If you wish to use fresh ginger instead of dry, you certainly can. You be sure the strain the liquid after you’ve heated it up using a fine wire mesh strainer to prevent there from being chunks floating around in the beverage.
Cinnamon sticks: If you’d rather not use cinnamon sticks or don’t have any on hand, you can sub in ground cinnamon. I would start with a 1/4 teaspoon and increase if desired. I always like to sprinkle a little extra cinnamon on top just for good measure!
Vanilla extract: Adds a pleasant flavour and enhances the sweetness of the beverage. Use pure rather than imitation for best results, although both will work well.
Maple syrup (or other preferred sweetener): If you’d prefer to not use maple syrup, you can use any other desired sweetener, such as honey, agave, stevia, or you can leave it out altogether if desired.
Freshly ground pepper: Helps the body to better absorb turmeric by enhancing the bioavailability of the curcumin found in turmeric. It also helps add a dash of peppery flavour to the drink.

EXPERT TIP: Piperine is the major active component of black pepper and, when combined with curcumin, has been shown to increase its bioavailability by 2000%, which enhances the absorption of the turmeric! Along with its peppery taste, that’s the main reason why we add it to this warm drink (source).

Ingredients required for the golden milk recipe.

How to Make Golden Milk – Step by Step Instructions

This beverage can be thrown together in a matter of minutes — another HUGE benefit.

First, add the coconut milk, almond milk, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, ground pepper, vanilla extract and maple syrup (or other desired sweetener) to a small saucepan.

2. Place the pan over medium heat and warm for about 5-6 minutes, whisking frequently, until hot to the touch but not boiling. The issue with the boiling is that it can destroy some of the properties of the curcumin, which we DON’T want.

Taste the mixture and adjust for sweetness and flavouring. You may wish to add more turmeric, ginger, cinnamon or sweetener depending on personal taste.

3. Serve warm with an extra sprinkle of cinnamon, if desired.

Keep scrolling to the recipe card for the full recipe!

Recipe Notes:

Enhance the frothiness: To make the latte even frothy, I recommend using a milk frother, immersion blender or pouring the mixture into a blender. Keep in mind that the turmeric may stain the blender, so make sure that you wash it out really well right after using it to blend the latte.

Iced turmeric latte: If you want to enjoy this beverage cold, simply pour it over some ice! That way you can enjoy durning those warmer months too!

Adapt flavours to taste: This beverage can be easily adapted to suit your personal taste preferences. Add more turmeric, ginger or cinnamon for extra flavour and spiciness; more pepper for a peppery kick; more maple syrup or other sweetener for a sweeter beverage; and more coconut milk for extra creaminess.

Recipe FAQs

What does a golden latte taste like?

The best way to describe this hot beverage is that it has a warm, creamy, earthy flavour with a little kick of spice and hint of sweetness.

The taste can definitely be intensified by increasing the quantity of spices that you add, in addition to the sweetener. And that’s the beauty of this beverage — you can adapt it to your personal tastes!

The first time I made this recipe, I’ll admit that I may have added too many spices to the point where I found it to be slightly overpowering and a little much. The next time around, I cut back on the spices a bit and it was so much more enjoyable.

The recipe I’ve included today is on the milder side for those who haven’t experienced golden milk before. But feel free to pump up the spices if you’d like it to have more of a powerful kick! You may wish to increase the level of sweetness at the same time to balance out the spices.

What does turmeric taste like?

Turmeric has an earthy and pungent bitter flavour to it which can be described as almost musky, with a bit of peppery spice. Because of its bitterness, it tends to pair well with other sweeter spices such as cinnamon and rich textures, such as coconut milk, both of which help to balance it out.

Does a turmeric latte have coffee in it?

A turmeric latte is generally not made with coffee, but instead consists of a blend of milk or milk alternative and a combination of spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. Because it doesn’t typically contain coffee, it makes for a great caffeine-free hot beverage option.
That being said, certain versions may contain coffee so you may want to double check if you’re being mindful of your caffeine intake.

What is the best time to drink turmeric milk?

Turmeric milk is a traditional Indian and Ayurvedic beverage that is generally consumed before bedtime. That being said, you really can drink it any time of day. It can also be a great alternative to your morning cup of coffee or afternoon tea.

Personally, I tend to prefer drinking it at night since it has a very calming and soothing effect that can help you relax before bedtime and is naturally caffeine-free. It’s the perfect way to end the day!

Can you drink too much golden milk?

Yes! Despite the numerous benefits of turmeric, it’s definitely possible to overdo it. Some of the adverse side effects that can come about if consuming too much turmeric include upset stomach, risk of kidney stones, diarrhea and nausea.

The current recommendation for the general popular is to consume around 500 to 1,000 milligrams a day. To put that into perspective, one teaspoon of ground turmeric is equivalent to about 200 milligrams. So try to pace yourself, my friends.

How many calories are in a turmeric latte?

For a one cup serving, this homemade latte contains 149 calories. In comparison, a tall Starbuck’s turmeric latte made with whole milk contains 239 calories so you can significantly reduce the calories by making your own latte at home!

Turmeric latte with spoonful of turmeric.

Storage Guidelines

If you don’t drink the whole batch the same day that you prepare it, you can store it in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.

Either store it in the small pot that it was made in (if it fits in your fridge) for easy reheating or transfer to a mug or airtight container.

How to reheat

I recommended pouring the turmeric milk back into the small sauce pan and reheating over the stove, giving it a good whisk every once in a while to make it nice and frothy.

Or alternatively, you can reheat it in the microwave if in a pinch. Just give it a good stir to reincorporate all of the flavours, since the spices tend to settle to the bottom.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the latte warm with an extra sprinkle of cinnamon if desired. You can also whip it with a milk frother to get it extra frothy or top with a dollop of coconut whipped cream for a more indulgent option.

If you’re looking for a little snack to pair along with this beverage, it’s delicious served along with some of these Almond Flour Shortbread Cookies or Healthy Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies!

Recipe Variations

To make sweeter: Add more maple syrup.
For extra flavour: Add more turmeric, ginger and cinnamon.
For more spiciness: Add more pepper.
For more creaminess: Add more coconut milk.
To make iced golden milk: Pour it over some ice!
Add coffee: Mix the latte in with a bit of coffee, espresso or add a bit of instant coffee to the turmeric latte mix.

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