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If you are looking for ways to relax and unwind, improve your sleep, relieve joint inflammation, or simply like the idea of adding a warm, tasty beverage to your evening routine, this Golden Milk recipe is for you!

Soothing Bedtime Golden Milk recipe in a cup with a cinnamon stick

Why You’ll Love This Easy Golden Milk Recipe

  • It’s Like a Warm Hug in a Cup. Golden milk tastes a little similar to chai tea or chai tea lattes, but it’s meant to soothe rather than stimulate. It has warm, aromatic spices with earthy flavors and is a great way to wind down at the end of the night.
  • It Can Be Adapted to Your Tastes and Needs. Beyond being the PERFECT bedtime beverage, I love traditional golden milk because you can tweak the recipe with other spices and ingredients to suit your personal dietary needs or taste preferences. For example, you can add a warm spice like nutmeg to give your drink an extra boost of cozy flavor. Or, you can swap the honey for maple syrup to make this drink vegan (or if you just prefer the taste).
  • It’s a Powerhouse of Nutritional Benefits. Golden milk (also called turmeric milk) is a warm beverage made with ingredients that are shown to reduce inflammation and help improve sleep, including turmeric and ginger, which give the drink its signature “golden” hue (it can be seen in this Turmeric Rice and this Turmeric Smoothie too).
two cups of golden milk with almond milk

5 Star Review

“Oh my goodness, this was the best night drink I’ve ever had.”

— Deborah —

Golden Milk Benefits

For centuries, healing golden milk has been used in Ayurvedic medicine (which originates in India) as an alternative remedy to soothe coughs, aches and pains, restlessness, and more.

Possible golden milk benefits include:

  • Better Sleep. Amino acids (like tryptophan), minerals, and other vital compounds are shown to promote more restful sleep.
  • Immune System Boost. Immune system-boosting antioxidants, which can help fight illness and infection.
  • Improved Organ Function. Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, has been linked to improved brain function and heart health.
  • Less Pain. Anti-inflammatory properties that can ease joint pain and stiffness.
  • Improved Gut Health. Golden milk can aid in digestion, calm nausea, and improve overall gut health.

**As always, check with your doctor before turning to golden milk as a remedy or wellness supplement. The above is based on information available online. I’m not a dietician but enjoy reading about health and sharing what I’ve learned.

Golden milk being poured into a mug

How to Make the Best Golden Milk

The Ingredients

  • Almonds. Rich in magnesium, which promotes both sleeping and muscle relaxation. This golden milk recipe uses them in the form of almond butter and almond milk (I also use both in this healthy Strawberry Smoothie).

Substitution Tip!

If you’re not a fan of almond milk, you may opt for any non-dairy milk of your choice to keep this recipe dairy-free; cashew milk is especially creamy. For more protein, use soy milk or pea milk.

You may also make golden milk using regular milk if dairy is not a concern for you.

  • Honey. This natural sweetener allows tryptophan (of Thanksgiving turkey fame) to enter the brain more easily.
  • Ginger. Calms the stomach and promotes relaxation. Some studies suggest ginger can also help reduce anxiety.
  • Turmeric. The all-important golden milk powder! Aids digestion and has calming properties, which lead to sounder sleep. If you have aches and pains, golden milk for joints is a popular remedy, as it is anti-inflammatory too.
  • Cinnamon. Similar to turmeric and ginger, cinnamon also helps with digestion. PLUS it supports healthy sugar metabolism and is a delicious pairing with the other ingredients (like in this Apple Cider).

The Directions

golden milk ingredients in a saucepan
  1. Add Everything to a Saucepan. Make sure your pot isn’t too full for whisking.
a sauce pan with cold fighting golden turmeric milk for sleep
  1. Warm the Mixture. Whisk constantly to ensure everything is incorporated.
  2. Serve. Pour into a mug. ENJOY!
turmeric milk for inflammation in a cup to help you sleep

Recipe Variations

  • Add Black Peppercorns. Studies show that to get the full benefit of turmeric, you should pair it with black pepper which has piperine. Piperine boosts the body’s ability to absorb curcumin, the key compound in turmeric that fights inflammation. It’s a bit much for me at bedtime, so I usually leave it out. Personal preference!
  • Spice It Up. For those who like a kick, try cayenne golden milk (start with a TINY pinch).
  • Add Coconut Oil. Improves the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, calcium, and magnesium.
  • Add Ghee. Adding just a teaspoon of ghee is thought to alleviate cold symptoms. Similar to adding honey to tea, ghee coats the throat which can help soothe a sore throat and ease a persistent cough.
  • Golden Milk Tea. Add a bag of your favorite tea to the pot with the milk and spices, allowing it to steep while everything warms.

Storage Tips

  • To Store. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container such as a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • To Reheat. Reheat on the stove, stirring to recombine the spices and almond butter.

Meal Prep Tip

Since turmeric milk saves and reheats well, I like to make a double or triple batch, and then enjoy it several nights in a row.

a cup with golden milk recipe for sleep

What to Serve With Golden Milk

While this golden milk is a treat in itself, you can certainly pair it with something to eat.

  • Saucepan. Invest in a great set of saucepans for all your stovetop cooking needs.
  • Whisk. This slimmed-down size is ideal for stirring.
  • Hand Warming Mug. Not only is this mug incredibly cute, but it also uses a special design to keep your hand warm while you hold it. Talk about cozy!
the best golden milk recipe in a mug

Recipe Tips and Tricks

  • Try This Spiced Milk for Sleep. 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.
  • Whisk Those Spices. Make sure to whisk your spices well to prevent clumping in the turmeric milk. If you want to go the extra mile, blend it in a blender to distribute the spices and prevent them from settling at the bottom once poured.
  • Or, Consider Whole Spices. If you prefer not to have any residue, simmer your milk with whole spices instead.
  • Try the Coconut Oil Addition. As I mentioned in the “recipe variations” section above, coconut oil is a common addition to this drink. It helps your body absorb some of the nutrients better, and it may make your drink more frothy.

Golden Milk

4.88 from 132 votes
The BEST golden milk recipe! Warm, comforting, and earthy, this easy golden milk has anti-inflammatory benefits and can help you sleep.

Prep: 2 minutes
Cook: 3 minutes
Total: 5 minutes

Servings: 1 drink

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk
  • 2 teaspoons honey plus additional to taste (to make vegan, swap maple syrup)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons almond butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon plus additional for serving
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
  • Optional additions: tiny pinch ground black pepper or ground cardamom, or ground cloves

Instructions
 

  • Combine the milk, honey, almond butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, and any optional spices in a small saucepan.
  • Heat over medium until warmed through, whisking briskly so that the almond butter does not stick to the bottom and the spices incorporate. Do not let boil.
  • Pour into a mug and sip deeply. Enjoy!

Notes

  • TO STORE: Keep leftovers in an airtight container, such as a mason jar, for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. 
  • TO REHEAT: Warm on the stove, stirring to recombine the spices and almond butter.

Nutrition

Serving: 1drinkCalories: 134kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 3gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gPotassium: 87mgFiber: 2gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 338mgIron: 1mg

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can Golden Milk Be Drunk Cold?

I’ve always enjoyed drinking turmeric milk warm since it is believed that it better activates the anti-inflammatory ingredients in turmeric and other spices. However, if you simply want to enjoy the flavor of the golden milk, I’m sure it would be lovely chilled, served over ice, or even as a blended turmeric milk frappe.

What is the Difference Between Golden Milk and Turmeric Latte?

Nothing! They are the same thing. You can call this recipe golden milk or call it a turmeric latte, whichever suits your fancy.

Will Golden Milk Stain My Teeth?

Turmeric does stain fingers easily and can stain teeth over time, but unless you are consuming a lot of golden milk, it is very unlikely to stain your teeth.

Related Recipes

Here are more of my favorite good-for-you non-alcoholic beverages:

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Erin Clarke

Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!

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252 Comments

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  1. Delicious and simple! I like things that are easy to make and I don’t have to buy all kinds of exotic ingredients! Only problem I had was that I only had chunky almond butter. Should have put it in the blender. Lol! But still delicious!5 stars

  2. This is a comment and an invitation to respond to a question: I have tried different recipes for Golden Milk, including this one, and my biggest problem I guess has been the consistency, or what others may call ‘creaminess’. I cannot get used to the taste of turmeric in a creamy drink. I have been toying with the idea of using the same m e ingredients in a broth, like beef or chicken. Has anyone tried this? I know the honey is beneficial, but I don’t know how the sweetness would go in a more savory drink. Thoughts?4 stars

    1. Hi Cathie, I’ve only tried it this way but would love to hear how it turns out if you decide to play around with it!

  3. Loved this recipe! Favorite one I’ve found so far and love the almond butter addition… so satisfying and rich. Perfect before bedtime 😍5 stars

  4. I like how delicious yet simple this recipe is. It’s a bit heavy on the cinnamon for me, but I will definitely make it again with an adjustment. Also, I used coconut oil in place of almond butter (didn’t have any), but I bet almond butter would be that much more decadent. Recovering from the flu, and this is just so very comforting. Thank you.5 stars

  5. Really good, drinking a mug of it now. I leave out the almond butter just because it always seems to settle at the bottom of the mug. I cut down the honey to 1 tsp which is sweet enough for me. And if you want to save yourself a saucepan to clean, this recipe works just as well by combining all of the ingredients in a mug and nuking for a minute or two.5 stars

  6. I LOVE the results of the drink!! No almond butter for me, but no problem. I switched it out with peanut butter and there was a winner! I’ll definitely make it again. Thanks so much for sharing 😊5 stars

  7. Oh my, this golden milk is so creamy and soft, it immediately puts my body at ease… I did the recipe just as described, I made 2x it so my brother could try with me. I can now tweak this to whatever I want to add and/or take away, but this recipe is superb and that’s from me!5 stars

  8. This sounds great and I always like a little Almond milk at night. Will try it right now! Thanks for it his great tip!!5 stars

  9. Yum! Just made this tonight, but used 2% milk, honey, vanilla, tumeric, cinnamon and a wee bit of black pepper and it is DELICIOUS. I did add a bit more honey to mine after the first couple sips because the sweetness balanced out the tumeric and to me it needed a little more. I don’t normally use almond butter but may try the peanut butter substitution I read in a previous comment next time. If I don’t like that I’ll just stick with this combo. Thank you for the recipe!

  10. You explain the ingredient properties well, but not the amounts to use for golden milk, at least not anywhere I could find them.

    1. Hi Herschel! All of the ingredients and directions are listed in the recipe card above the area where you commented. There is even a “jump to recipe” button that is located at the top of the page to help navigate you there. Enjoy!

  11. Best Golden Milk recipe out there (and I’ve made many)! It’s warm and comforting and great for the body and mind. Thanks so much for the recipe. It’s a keeper!5 stars

  12. This comforting drink is delicious. I sub the almond butter with a tablespoon of peanut butter powder. I put everything in a measuring cup, and nuke it, as well. Totally works. So relaxing before bed. Thank you.5 stars

    1. Hi June, most people substitute the almond butter for coconut oil so it would be a 1:1 substitution. But if you want to use both, maybe 1 teaspoon. Enjoy!

  13. This recipe is so delicious! I tried making this last night for myself, husband, and son. Well I ended up drinking it all myself lol. Having RA, my inflammation numbers are off the charts. I am hoping this recipe will give me some relief. I ended up digging out my small crockpot and adjusting the recipe to make enough to fill my crockpot. Not only does my house smell amazing but I have skipped my daily coffee and am sipping on warm golden milk yumminess. Thank you so much for the recipe!!!5 stars

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