Golden Milk (Turmeric Milk): Benefits, Recipe & How to Make It

Tristan works at a school and inevitably brings home a variety of germs, so I focus on preparing balanced, nourishing meals to help keep us well. It seems to be working—neither of us has had a cold in over a year.

When I notice friends or coworkers starting to feel under the weather, I like to make a large mug of golden milk as a comforting, healthful snack.

Golden Milk

Golden milk, also called turmeric milk, is a traditional Indian beverage that has gained popularity for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. The classic version often uses cow’s milk, but we keep our home mostly dairy-free. I use a mix of canned full-fat coconut milk and unsweetened almond milk, though any higher-fat milk substitute will work well.

Golden Milk
(Tristan wants you to know this is his favorite mug, and he was kind enough to let me use it for the photos.)

Because golden milk contains healthy fats, it makes a satisfying afternoon pick-me-up—perfect for when you need something around 4 p.m. to carry you through until dinner without resorting to random snacks.

Golden Milk

If you’ve never tried golden milk, expect a warm, creamy drink with a gentle spice. I like to sweeten it with raw honey or coconut sugar; the flavor balances savory and sweet, almost like a mildly spiced curry in drink form. It’s comforting, nourishing, and surprisingly simple to make—definitely worth trying.

If golden milk doesn’t appeal to you but you still want to add turmeric to your diet, consider trying a curry like my vegan chickpea curry instead.

Golden Milk in a mug next to a jar of ground turmeric.
5 from 2 votes

Golden Milk

Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2 mugs

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup full fat coconut milk (from a can)
  • ¾ cup water
  • 1 ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon raw honey (coconut sugar works well too)

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a small pot and heat over medium, whisking constantly, for 3–4 minutes.
  • Pour the hot golden milk into two large mugs and enjoy immediately.
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Leave a comment and share your tips for staying healthy—I’d love to hear what works for you!

P.S. For more family health tips this flu season, check my other post for practical suggestions and ideas.