Vegan Golden Milk

Vegan Golden Milk is a delicious turmeric milk recipe that tastes like chai tea! Flavored with fresh ginger, cinnamon sticks, and ginger, it feels like a warm hug on a chilly day! {Vegan + Paleo}

Friends, golden milk was not what I thought it was when I first heard about it. I thought the term referred to breastmilk, aka “liquid gold”, and that people were putting breastmilk in their smoothies. I have nothing against that, but my lactating days are long since gone, and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to create a Vegan Golden Milk recipe for y’all to share in. 

It turns out I was so so so wrong, and maybe you know that already. Vegan Golden Milk is not made with breastmilk. Instead, it’s made with turmeric, a spice whose color is, you guessed it, gold. 

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Thank God I dug deeper. Actually, thank God people on the Internet, like Dana from Minimalist Baker in her 5-Minute Vegan Golden Milk recipe, kept talking about it, or I would have missed the deliciousness entirely. AND THANK GOD I did finally take a leap and concoct a Vegan Golden Milk recipe of my own because, holy cow, that stuff is GOOD.

So what does Vegan Golden Milk taste like? It’s warm and comforting and sweet yet bitter. It reminds me of chai. And let me be candid here. The final product doesn’t taste like one would expect. For example, this Vegan Golden Milk recipe includes coconut but doesn’t taste coconut-y. It also includes turmeric but doesn’t taste excessively bitter. I love fresh ginger, but a little goes a long way. That isn’t a problem here. In fact, I leave the fresh ginger rounds in the golden milk leftovers to infuse the drink even more. And although you can add a splash of vanilla, you don’t need to. So it’s optional on the ingredient list.

Friends, I cannot stress this enough – if you like chai, latte-style drinks, you must put this Vegan Golden Milk in your life. Still on the fence? Let me put it this way: if a warm hug on a frenzied day had a flavor, this would be it. 

WHAT IS GOLDEN MILK?

So what is golden milk, exactly? According to Beejoli Shah, in her Bon Appétit article, Golden Milk: Separating Fact, Fiction, and Lies My Mother Told Me About Turmeric, golden milk is “…a frothy, creamy, and incredibly Westernized variant on traditional Indian haldi doodh, or turmeric milk…” While the traditional drink often includes just milk or water, plus honey, the extra ingredients that sweeten it up are Western additions. So the version you see today, with cinnamon, ginger, almond milk, and coconut milk, are definitely a Westernized version of a traditional Indian drink.

Much has been touted about the health benefits of turmeric but there are also questions about preparation, absorption, and ongoing use. I’m not qualified to address any of those issues. However, if you’re curious to learn more, then check out Dawn MacKeen’s New York Times article, What Are the Benefits of Turmeric? The bottom line? Health benefits or not, turmeric is a delicious addition to several foods and beverages.

VEGAN GOLDEN MILK INGREDIENTS

There are several additions you can include in your Vegan Golden Milk. Until you know exactly how you want to prepare your version, I suggest adding ingredients in small amounts and taste test as you go.

• Coconut milk (from a can). I chill a can of coconut milk overnight. Then the next day I scoop the thick cream off the top and use that in the recipe. It yields almost exactly one cup, which is what we use in this recipe.
• Almond milk. I go for unsweetened. Then I rely on the other ingredients to sweeten it up.
• Dried turmeric. I use one teaspoon, but you can add more or less as desired.
• Fresh ginger. I use three to four rounds from the “branches” or 1-2 pieces from the “trunk” that are each approximately 1/4 inch thick.
• Cinnamon sticks. Add two. And if desired, let them continue to soak in the milk after it’s done simmering.
• Maple syrup. A caramel-like paleo and vegan sweetener, it complements the bitter turmeric without making the drink too sweet. Adjust the amount to taste.
• Optional ingredients: black pepper, cardamom (I add a sprinkle), and vanilla.

HOW TO MAKE VEGAN GOLDEN MILK:

Contents will start out lumpy. Therefore, it’s important to stir frequently throughout the process to create the correct consistency. Cook times will also vary depending on how long it takes the Vegan Golden Milk to reach a simmering temperature.

1. Combine the coconut milk, almond milk, dried turmeric, fresh ginger, cinnamon sticks, and maple syrup, along with desired optional ingredients, in a saucepan. Start on a LOW heat and gradually increase to a MEDIUM-HIGH heat, stirring regularly, until the golden milk is simmering. Continue to simmer and stir about 5 to 7 minutes, or until the Vegan Golden Milk begins to froth and rise in the saucepan. Remove from heat to let cool.
2. Serve immediately or cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight container for a few days.

NOTE: Contents may separate. If reheating, stir briskly before serving. 

Want another hug? Here are more comforting beverages that feel like a warm embrace on chilly days!

• Dairy-Free Vanilla Cashew Coffee
• Cinnamon Orange Tea
• Dairy-Free Chai Tea
• Lemon Ginger Tea
• Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate

Stay warm and safe, friends! I’m glad you’re here. ❤️

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