Golden Milk (Turmeric Milk) (2024)

Home Recipes Diet Gluten-Free Golden Milk (Turmeric Milk)

by Lisa Bryan

442 Comments

Updated Sep 17, 2023

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Golden milk reigns supreme for a healthy, healing, and anti-inflammatory drink. All you have to do is to simmer a cozy blend of turmeric, milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, and a pinch of black pepper on the stovetop — that’s it!

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If you’ve been a long-time follower you know that I love incorporating turmeric into many recipes. It all started when I accidentally got “glutened” in Bali and was given Jamu juice (a turmeric drink) to heal my gut. And let me tell you — it worked wonders.

But this golden milk recipe is one I come back to most often when I need a little anti-inflammatory boost (I talk more about the benefits below). It’s a soothing beverage I can sip on before bed. Plus, it tastes delicious!

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Golden Milk Ingredients

I first learned about golden milk on my travel through India, and couldn’t believe how simple yet healing this drink was! So today, I’m happy to recreate this recipe for anyone who needs a little pick-me-up. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Milk: I’m using coconut milk as the fat content is great for absorbing turmeric’s healing compounds. But you can use your favorite dairy or dairy-free options such as almond milk, cashew milk, or oat milk.
  • Turmeric: I’m using ground turmeric in this recipe as most people have it easily accessible in their spice drawer or cabinet.
  • Spices: I like to add a pinch of cinnamon and black pepper (to activate the compound curcumin in turmeric). You could also add ground ginger or cardamom for an extra spiced taste.
  • Sweetener: Maple syrup or honey are my go-to’s, but the choice is yours!

Helpful tip: If you’re using nut milk, try adding a splash of coconut oil! It helps to give your golden milk that extra fat content to absorb the turmeric compounds. Plus, it helps make your drink a bit more frothy!

Find the printable recipe with measurements below

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The Benefits of Golden Milk

The short story is turmeric is good for you and popular for a reason. If you have an autoimmune condition (or several, like me) then you’ll love turmeric milk for its anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric is one of Mother Nature’s top healing compounds and studies have shown that curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, can help certain autoimmune conditions by regulating inflammatory signals.

Turmeric is also a potent antioxidant. It can fight free radicals (hello aging), and can even help stave off the common cold. All because it fights chronic inflammation that may otherwise be suppressing your immune system.

So to get all those lovely benefits, just drink golden milk! Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine have been prescribing golden turmeric milk for centuries. And warming golden milk is soothing and relaxing before bed, similar to chamomile tea, so you may get an extra deep night’s sleep.

How To Make Golden Milk

This turmeric golden milk is made easy on the stovetop! Add everything into a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Give the mixture a good stir and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Make sure to stir it occasionally so that the turmeric powder and cinnamon don’t clump up.

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Storage Tips

This recipe makes 2 servings, but you can always double it to enjoy throughout the week! Store any leftovers in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can reheat it back in a saucepan on the stovetop or simply in the microwave.

More Turmeric Recipes

This magical spice has made it into so many recipes on my website, like a boosting smoothie, chicken casserole, and even a golden zoodle soup (an exclusive recipe from my new Healthy Meal Prep cookbook). Give these options a try!

  • Turmeric Chicken and Rice Casserole
  • Pineapple Turmeric Smoothie
  • Golden Beet, Carrot and Turmeric Smoothie
  • Turmeric Tea

I’m excited to hear your thoughts on this golden milk recipe! Be sure to leave a comment below when you do.

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Golden Milk (Turmeric Milk)

4.96 from 204 votes

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 10 minutes mins

Total: 15 minutes mins

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Description

Golden milk (turmeric milk) reigns supreme for a healthy, healing, and anti-inflammatory drink! Bonus — it's super delicious.Watch the video above!

Video

Ingredients

  • 2 cups milk (dairy or dairy-free)
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • pinch black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey

Optional

  • ½ tablespoon coconut oil
  • additional spices or flavors such as ginger, cardamom, or vanilla extract.

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes to let the flavors meld.

    Golden Milk (Turmeric Milk) (7)

  • Pour the golden milk into a cup and enjoy.

    Golden Milk (Turmeric Milk) (8)

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 95kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 326mg | Potassium: 49mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 315mg | Iron: 0.4mg

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: golden milk, turmeric golden milk, turmeric milk

©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

Recipe originally posted December 2016, but updated to include new information.

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

Read More About Me

Golden Milk (Turmeric Milk) (2024)

FAQs

What happens if I drink golden milk every day? ›

Curcumin present in turmeric milk is also a powerful anti-oxidant. It protects our body from damage caused by free radicals. It thus reduces the risk of cancer, diseases of the heart, etc.

What is the golden drink that lowers cholesterol? ›

Golden milk, also known as turmeric milk, is a common Indian drink that has recently been gaining popularity in western cultures due to many health claims. It's beautiful bright yellow color is a result of adding turmeric, along with spices such as cinnamon and ginger, to milk.

What are the side effects of golden milk turmeric? ›

The same studies that point to curcumin's benefits in moderation also show that it can lead to stomach cramping and diarrhea in large amounts. People who consumed between half a gram and 12 grams of pure curcumin have reported cramps, stomach distress, and nausea. However, turmeric is not made of pure curcumin.

How long does it take for golden milk to work? ›

Dosage: Consume 1/2 to 1 1/2 teaspoons of turmeric per day and you may start to feel the benefits after about four to eight weeks. Most studies use curcumin extract, which contains 95 percent curcuminoids, and not the turmeric spice, which only contains 3 percent curcuminoids.

Who should not drink turmeric milk? ›

People who should not take turmeric include those with gallbladder problems, bleeding disorders, diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), infertility, iron deficiency, liver disease, hormone-sensitive conditions, and arrhythmia. Pregnant women and those who are going to undergo surgery should not use turmeric.

Is it better to drink golden milk in the morning or Evening? ›

While you can enjoy turmeric milk any time of the day, most suggest drinking it about an hour before bedtime to get the full effects of its relaxing, soothing properties.

Is too much turmeric bad for your liver? ›

In some instances, however, the injury is severe and unremitting, leading to acute liver failure and either death or need for liver transplantation. A severe outcome is more likely if turmeric is continued after the appearance of symptoms and signs of liver injury.

What medications should not be taken with turmeric? ›

Turmeric may interfere with the action of these drugs, increasing the production of stomach acid:
  • Cimetidine (Tagamet)
  • Famotidine (Pepcid)
  • Ranitidine (Zantac)
  • Esomeprazole (Nexium)
  • Omeprazole (Prilosec)
  • Lansoprazole (Prevacid)

Is turmeric milk good for the liver? ›

Using turmeric milk daily is not only a potential cure for fatty liver disease but also effective prevention, so can be used by healthy people who want to find a way to protect liver function. Turmeric mixed with gold starch and condensed milk is an effective way to promote liver function.

Is it better to take turmeric at night or in the morning? ›

In other words, it doesn't matter what time of day turmeric is taken. Although the trial revealed no measurable difference in the time turmeric was taken, mealtimes are sometimes better for curcumin absorption. According to Dr. Khoshaba, turmeric can be consumed at any time of the day.

How do I know if turmeric is working? ›

Unfortunately, turmeric doesn't offer a quick fix, so you'll need to take it daily to notice results. If you were wondering how long it takes turmeric to work, this can vary from person to person. However, you should usually expect to start noticing improvements in around 4-8 weeks when taken daily.

What does turmeric do to the female body? ›

Through its rich and varied plant chemistry, it has a powerful anti-inflammatory (antioxidant) and immune-strengthening it can be a wonderful support for hormone balance at all life stages. Here are just a few of the ways turmeric is beneficial to women: Premenstrual symptoms and cycle balance.

What happens if I drink turmeric every day? ›

Given turmeric's various beneficial properties to health, it's not a bad idea to take it daily. If you stick to 12 g or less , you are not likely to experience side effects such as diarrhea, constipation, or vomiting. Learn more about turmeric dosage.

Does drinking turmeric milk lighten skin? ›

Yes. Turmeric works as a skin lightening agent for your skin. The curcumin in it reduces the excess melanin production and lightens your skin tone. Adding turmeric to your skincare routine can brighten your skin tone and reduce any kind of dark spots and pigmentation.

What are the side effects of drinking milk everyday? ›

Milk contains lactose, a natural sugar that requires an enzyme called lactase for proper digestion. Older people mostly, become lactose intolerant. Drinking too much milk can lead to bloating, gas, diarrhea, and stomach cramps these individuals.

Does golden milk clear skin? ›

Turmeric's anti-inflammatory properties aid in soothing skin irritations and reducing redness. Consuming turmeric milk assists in clearing blemishes and calming acne-prone skin, promoting a smoother complexion.

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