Golden Milk Latte

Name: Golden Milk Latte
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 1 min
Total time: 6 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1 ½ cup Lite Coconut Milk; 1 cup Almond Milk; ¾ tsp Lakadong Turmeric; ¼ tsp Tura Crushed Black Pepper; 1 Cinnamon Stick or ½ tsp cinnamon; 1-2 tbsp Date Syrup (or Agave / Maple Syrup)

4.7 ✓ Thanks!

Serves2

Prep Time

5 min

Total Time

6 min

DifficultyEasy

Recipe by Jonali Everyday Cook!

Rooted in Shillong’s farming traditions, Jonali shares the fresh, soulful spices she grew up with, cook her recipes and experience true authenticity.

About This Dish

Golden milk, known as haldi doodh in India, is a traditional drink made by gently warming milk with turmeric, black pepper, and aromatic spices. Families have prepared it as a comforting remedy during cold weather and seasonal illness. Today it’s widely recognized as a wellness drink but one critical factor is often overlooked: the quality and potency of the turmeric itself.

Turmeric’s key active compound is curcumin, responsible for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Standard grocery turmeric typically contains only about 2-3% curcumin. Our Lakadong turmeric, grown at high elevation in Meghalaya’s Jaintia Hills, is lab-tested at 7.61% curcumin, roughly three times higher. The result is a deeper golden color, richer earthy flavor, and meaningfully higher active compound per serving.

This recipe is built around that potency. We use just ¾ teaspoon of turmeric by design. When curcumin levels are high, precision matters more than quantity. Combined with black pepper to enhance absorption and the natural fats in coconut milk, each cup delivers both flavor and functional benefit in a form that’s warming, balanced, and easy to enjoy daily.

Ingredients

1 ½ cup Lite Coconut Milk
1 cup Almond Milk
¾ tsp Lakadong Turmeric
¼ tsp Tura Crushed Black Pepper
1 Cinnamon Stick or ½ tsp cinnamon
1-2 tbsp Date Syrup (or Agave / Maple Syrup)

Instructions

Topping:

Take 1 tbsp Vegan Heavy Whipping Cream
Include 2 tbsp Almond Milk

Steps:

In a saucepan, combine the coconut milk, almond milk, turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon, and date syrup.
Use a frother, or whisk, to mix the ingredients together.
Heat on medium low heat for 3-4 minutes.
While it’s heating, froth together the cream and almond milk until thick.
Serve the latte in a mug (don’t forget to remove the cinnamon stick!) and top with the cold foam, as well as additional crushed black pepper and cinnamon.

This Recipe Features

Lakadong Turmeric

$11.00

Tura Black Pepper

$11.00

Laskein Wild Cinnamon

$11.00

Ways to Make It Your Own

Iced Golden Milk

Prepare the latte as directed, then let it cool to room temperature. Pour over a glass filled with ice. The cold brings out slightly different flavor notes — the cinnamon and pepper become more prominent. Perfect for warm weather.

Saffron Golden Milk

Add 4–5 strands of Pampore Kashmir Saffron to the saucepan along with the other spices. Saffron adds floral depth and a gorgeous orange-gold hue. It's also traditionally used alongside turmeric in Ayurvedic preparations for mood support and relaxation — making this version ideal as an evening wind-down drink.

Ginger Golden Milk (Cold & Flu Season)

Add ¼ teaspoon of Ing Makhir Ginger powder for an immunity-boosting version with extra warmth. Ginger and turmeric are botanical cousins — both belong to the Zingiberaceae family — and they complement each other's anti-inflammatory properties.

Cardamom Golden Milk

Add a pinch of Coorg Cardamom for an aromatic twist that leans closer to a traditional masala chai flavor profile. Cardamom is known in Ayurveda as a digestive aid and pairs beautifully with turmeric's earthiness.

Why These Ingredients Matter

Lakadong Turmeric (¾ tsp): The star of this recipe. At 7.61% curcumin, you need less turmeric to get more benefit — and it won't taste medicinal or chalky like recipes that call for a full tablespoon of generic turmeric. Each batch is lab-tested and sourced directly from a family farm in Meghalaya.

Tura Black Pepper (¼ tsp): Essential, not optional. Black pepper contains piperine, which significantly enhances curcumin absorption. Without pepper, much of turmeric's active compound is poorly absorbed. Our Tura pepper is grown in the Garo Hills and harvested at peak ripeness for strong aroma and high piperine levels.

Coconut Milk: Curcumin is fat-soluble, so pairing turmeric with dietary fat improves uptake. Coconut milk provides enough fat for proper absorption while giving the drink body and smoothness. Lite coconut milk keeps the texture balanced without heaviness — traditional versions used ghee for the same reason.

Cinnamon: Adds warmth and natural sweetness. True cinnamon brings a softer, more layered spice profile compared to common cassia cinnamon.

Date Syrup: A minimally processed sweetener that rounds out turmeric's earthiness without dominating the spice profile. Maple syrup or honey also work well.

Tips & Storage

Don't boil it. Heat your golden milk gently over medium-low heat. Boiling can cause coconut milk to separate and gives the drink a grainy texture. You want it steaming, not bubbling.

Make a batch ahead. This recipe doubles easily. Store in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or shake well and serve cold.

Best time to drink golden milk. Many people enjoy it late afternoons - the warmth and spices are naturally calming. It also works as a morning coffee alternative if you're looking to reduce caffeine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Lakadong turmeric different from regular turmeric?

Curcumin content. Standard grocery turmeric contains 2–3% curcumin. Lakadong turmeric from Meghalaya is lab-tested at 7.61% — roughly three times higher. This means stronger color, deeper flavor, and significantly more of the active compound per serving. You need less turmeric to get more benefit.

Why do you add black pepper to golden milk?

Black pepper contains piperine, which increases curcumin absorption by up to 2,000%. Without it, most of the curcumin passes through your body unused. Even a small amount — ¼ teaspoon — makes a significant difference. It also adds a subtle warmth that complements the turmeric.

Can I make golden milk with oat milk or almond milk?

You can, but the results won't be identical. Curcumin is fat-soluble and needs dietary fat for proper absorption. Oat and almond milks are low in fat, so the curcumin uptake will be reduced. If using a plant milk, choose one with higher fat content or add ½ teaspoon of coconut oil to compensate.

Is it safe to drink golden milk every day?

Turmeric has been consumed daily in traditional preparations for generations. At the amounts used in this recipe (¾ teaspoon), it's well within normal dietary intake. That said, if you take blood thinners or have gallbladder issues, consult your doctor — curcumin can interact with certain medications.

Why Our Spices Make a Difference

Every spice in this recipe comes from a farmer we know by name. Lab-tested for purity, harvested at peak season, and shipped within weeks, unlike the years it takes for grocery stores to stock their spices. Meet our farmers

✓ Lab Tested ✓ Direct Trade ✓ Single Origin

Published December 10, 2024 Updated February 13, 2026