This popular Ayurvedic Haldi Doodh, also known as Golden Turmeric Milk, is a healthy and healing drink. Made with turmeric and spices added to warm milk, it is a cup of wellness that is used to treat the common cold.
Growing up, whenever we had a cold, fever, or sore throat, Mom told us to have turmeric milk before bed.
In India, we have been having this Turmeric Milk called Haldi Doodh (Haldi=Turmeric, Doodh=Milk) for a long time as an easy remedy for common colds. However, it has only recently been popularized all over the world as a Turmeric Latte.
This delightful and healthy drink is super easy and quick to make. Mix the ingredients in a saucepan, heat them up, and serve them warm. It is considered to be a cup of wellness. You can use coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk to make it vegan.
It is a great drink to enjoy with friends, family, and guests, especially on those cold winter evenings. Badam Doodh (Indian Almond Milk) is similar.
Table of contents
What is Haldi Doodh?
There are so many ways to utilize turmeric. One of the most popular is Haldi doodh, a powerful Ayurvedic Indian drink with medicinal properties. It is also known as golden turmeric milk, golden milk latte, or turmeric latte.
This bright yellow drink is made by warming milk, turmeric, and some spices. In most households in India, it is a go-to solution for coughs and colds.
Health benefits
- Loaded with antioxidants.
- Reduce inflammation and joint pain.
- Protect against heart disease.
- It may lower blood sugar levels.
- It may reduce the risk of cancer.
- Has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties.
- Great for cough, congestion, colds, and skin problems.
Ingredients for Turmeric Milk
This recipe suggests to use whole spices which are easily available, but you can always substitute with ground spices to make this recipe easier and quicker.
- Milk: You can use milk of your choice. I use whole milk. You can use coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk to make it vegan.
- Turmeric: You can use fresh turmeric or turmeric powder. I used turmeric powder. If using fresh, grate and add to the milk.
- Black peppercorns: Adding black pepper (active ingredient piperine) when making turmeric milk helps in absorption of the nutrients in this turmeric milk, so I suggest to not skip it. Freshly ground black pepper is the best, but use what you have on hand.
- Cardamom, Cinnamon, and Cloves: I like to coarsely crush cardamom, cinnamon and cloves, and add them for a wonderful flavor, warmth and aroma. You can substitute whole spices with 1/4 teaspoon each of cardamom powder and cinnamon.
- Ginger: Add about 1/2 an inch of knob which is thinly sliced. This is optional, but adding it is great for additional nourishing benefits. For enhanced ginger flavor, you can also crush or grate it.
- Sugar: Instead of sugar, you can substitute with jaggery powder or honey, maple, or agave syrup.
How to Make Haldi Doodh?
Heat milk in a pot on a medium flame on the stovetop and bring it to a simmer. Add turmeric powder to it.
Using a mortar and pestle, coarsely crush the cardamon, cloves, and black peppercorns. Add to the milk. Add cinnamon and ginger slices to the milk. Then add the sugar or sweetener of choice.
After the milk comes to a boil, turn the heat to the lowest setting. Cover and let it simmer for another 5 minutes.
Turn off the flame. Strain and serve the turmeric milk while it is hot.
Optionally, sprinkle some turmeric or cinnamon powder on top.
Tips to make Perfect Haldi Doodh
- You can use any sweetener of your choice.
- You can top it with a few strands of saffron, turmeric or cinnamon powder.
- To make it vegan, you can use coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk.
- Adjust the amount of turmeric to taste. I have included only 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric, but you can increase it up to 1 teaspoon based on your preference and the potency of the turmeric you are using.
Yes, it is. It has calming properties that lead to better sleep.
You can have it any time of the day, but it is best to drink it before going to bed.
Yes, you can on an empty stomach. It helps to boost your immune system.
Healing Haldi Doodh (Golden Turmeric Milk)
Ingredients
- 2 cup Milk
- 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric powder (Haldi)
- 2 pods Green Cardamom (Elaichi)
- 2 Cloves (Laung)
- 5-6 Black Peppercorns
- 1 inch Cinnamon stick
- 1/2 inch Ginger , thinly sliced, optional
- 2 teaspoon Sugar, or sweetener of choice such as jaggery powder, honey or maple syrup, adjust to taste
Instructions
- Add milk to a pot and simmer it on a stovetop on medium flame. Once heated, add turmeric powder to it.
- Using a mortar and pestle, coarsely crush the cardamon, cloves, and black peppercorns. Add to the milk. Add cinnamon and ginger slices to the milk. Then add the sugar or sweetener of choice.
- After the milk comes to a boil, turn the heat to the lowest setting. Cover and let it simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Turn off the flame. Strain and serve the turmeric milk while it is hot.
- Optionally, sprinkle some cinnamon powder on top.
