Turmeric Golden Milk (Haldi Doodh) Recipe

Turmeric is an ingredient that's simultaneously traditional and trendy, and there's a good reason why: It has a ton of health benefits. Recipe developer Jennine Rye came up with this recipe for golden milk, enjoyed in India under the name haldi doodh. "I love the rich and soothing flavor of this recipe, as well as the wealth of health benefits contained in this classic Indian drink, due in large part to the turmeric," Rye raves. She also shares when she love to curl up and enjoy a warm mug the most: "Although it is possible to drink golden milk at any time of day, it is often recommended to be drunk an hour or two before bedtime. Its soothing and healing properties are said to help relax the body and to improve the quality of sleep," Rye notes. 

So what exactly are those healing properties? "Turmeric, one of the main ingredients and the source of the drink's bright yellow color, contains curcumin, which is considered to help with a wide array of ailments, from colds and infections to heart health, to blood sugar levels and even cancer," she explains. "It is also said to have a positive effect on mood, memory, digestion, and inflammation within the body. Combined with the health benefits of milk, cinnamon, and ginger, this drink really is considered to be a cure-all!" 

Keep reading to find out how to make this tasty turmeric golden milk.

Gather the ingredients for turmeric golden milk

To get started, you will need to gather all the ingredients for this recipe, most of which are spices. Just grab full-fat milk, ground turmeric, coconut oil, ground ginger, a cinnamon stick, honey, and black pepper. If you'd like, you can also sprinkle on some ground cinnamon when serving.

Add the first round of ingredients to a saucepan

Grab a medium-sized saucepan and place it on your stove. Measure out and add the milk, ground turmeric, ground ginger, coconut oil, and the cinnamon stick. You won't need the other ingredients just yet.

Heat and whisk the mixture

Warm the ingredients over medium heat, and then use a whisk to mix well. Let the mixture simmer for 4 to 5 minutes. ""It's good to allow this recipe to gently simmer for a few minutes to maximize the flavor, especially of the cinnamon," Rye says. 

She also shares why she prefers the cinnamon stick over the powdered stuff. "I used to make this using ground cinnamon, but it would end up being a bit powdery due to the amount of ground powders, which I didn't like," she explains. "However, using the cinnamon stick instead means that there isn't sediment or sludge at the bottoms of the drinks, it just needs a little while to impart that beautiful fragrant flavor through the golden milk." 

Remove from heat and add a few more ingredients

Once the few minutes are up, remove the saucepan from the heat. Carefully remove the cinnamon stick and discard it. Then, add the honey and a pinch of black pepper to complete the beverage.

Serve and enjoy

Now, pour the drinks into mugs of your choosing and if you'd like, add a bit of ground cinnamon on top. This drink is excellent solo, and Rye thinks we should keep it that way. "Golden milk tends to be a drink best enjoyed by itself, either after dinner or toward the end of the day before bed to maximize the health benefits," she explains. 

We hope you enjoy a nice mug-full before bed!

Turmeric Golden Milk (Haldi Doodh) Recipe
5 from 59 ratings
Haldi doodh is a popular nightcap in India. Enjoy a cup of this warm beverage before bed to enjoy the soothing health properties of turmeric and ginger.
Prep Time
2
minutes
Cook Time
5
minutes
Servings
2
Servings
turmeric golden milk in mug
Total time: 7 minutes
Ingredients
  • 2 ½ cups full fat milk
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons coconut oil
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • pinch of black pepper
Optional Ingredients
  • ground cinnamon, to serve
Directions
  1. Add the milk, ground turmeric, ground ginger, coconut oil, and cinnamon stick to a medium sized saucepan.
  2. Gently heat the mixture and whisk to incorporate the ingredients. Allow the milk to simmer for 4 to 5 minutes.
  3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and remove the cinnamon stick. Stir mix in the honey and the pinch of black pepper.
  4. Ladle into two mugs and serve warm, topped with ground cinnamon if desired.
Nutrition
Calories per Serving 298
Total Fat 14.5 g
Saturated Fat 9.6 g
Trans Fat 0.0 g
Cholesterol 30.5 mg
Total Carbohydrates 34.4 g
Dietary Fiber 1.2 g
Total Sugars 32.7 g
Sodium 132.7 mg
Protein 9.9 g
The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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