Vegan golden milk is a warm, spiced beverage that originates from the ancient Ayurvedic tradition. This recipe creates this healthy drink using plant-based ingredients without compromising its traditional essence and taste.
What Is Vegan Golden Milk?
Golden milk, also known as turmeric tea, is a traditional Indian drink that is gaining popularity around the world because of its health benefits. The base of golden milk is a combination of turmeric, black pepper, and milk.
The key ingredient, turmeric, gives the drink its golden color and health benefits. The vegan version of this drink swaps dairy milk with a plant-based alternative. So this recipe works for those following a dairy-free or vegan diet.
The chief component of black pepper is piperine. Piperine enhances the absorption of the active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, by 2000%. Curcumin is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but on its own, your body doesn’t absorb it well. Piperine aids in slowing down the breakdown of curcumin in the liver, thereby increasing its level in the blood. This complementary pair enriches the flavor of golden milk and amplifies the health benefits.
Ingredients You’ll Need for this Recipe
- Vegan milk of choice (I use soy milk)
- Maple syrup
- Fresh ginger or ginger powder
- Cinnamon sticks
- Fresh cracked black pepper
- Turmeric powder
- Vanilla extract
How to Make Vegan Golden Milk
- Peel and grate the ginger root. Crack or smash the black pepper.
- Add the grated ginger, turmeric, and cracked black pepper to the saucepan.
- Add the vegan milk and mix everything well.
- Add the cinnamon sticks, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. Mix well again.
- Cook on low heat until it reaches a gentle boil. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the milk to rest for a couple of minutes.
- Strain the milk and serve.
How to Serve Vegan Golden Milk
Vegan golden milk is best served warm, right after you make it. Pour it into a mug and garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon and/or turmeric for added flavor and looks. You may choose to froth the vegan milk with a milk frother, but that is optional.
Some prefer to enjoy golden milk first thing in the morning as a nutrient-rich start to the day, while others like it in the evening as a calming beverage before bed. It’s a versatile drink that can also be served chilled over ice for a refreshing twist.
Tips and Variations for this Recipe
Try these tips and variation ideas for the ultimate vegan golden milk:
- Choose a non-dairy milk that lends a rich and creamy texture, such as soy, cashew, or coconut milk.
- Adjust the amount of maple syrup to your desired level of sweetness.
- In a pinch, you can use ginger powder and pre-ground black pepper, but fresh ginger and fresh cracked black pepper are better for their potent flavors.
- Don’t skimp on the cooking time. This allows the flavors to meld together into a harmonious blend.
- Experiment with other spices, such as cardamom, allspice, clove, or nutmeg, to create a version that suits your personal palate.
- Omit the vanilla extract if desired. It’s not traditional, but it’s a nice addition to balance with the powerful spices.
- Add a splash of fresh-squeezed lemon juice or a bit of lemon zest for a tangy twist.
- For a caffeine kick, blend the golden milk with a shot of espresso to create a turmeric latte.
- For a unique take, whisk in a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder to make a turmeric hot chocolate.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder for a hint of heat.
How to Store Leftovers
Store any leftover vegan golden milk in a glass jar or other airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Before drinking, give the golden milk a good stir or a shake because the spices may have settled at the bottom. You can enjoy it cold or reheat it on the stove top or in the microwave.
Other Drink Recipes
- Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Raspberry Italian Soda
- Slow Cooker Mocha Chai Tea Latte
- Blackberry Basil Iced Tea (Cold Brewed)
Vegan Golden Milk
The classic and well-known Golden milk is now in vegan form. Delicious and super comforting drink for the colder months and to help you fight a cold.
Ingredients
- 5 cups vegan milk of choice, I use sou milk
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 1 piece fresh ginger (1 thumb) / ½ teaspoon ginger powder
- 2 cinnamon stick
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Peel the ginger root and grate it. Crack or smash the black pepper.
- Add into the saucepan the freshly grated ginger alongside the turmeric and black pepper.
- Add in the vegan milk, and mix everything well.
- Add the cinnamon sticks and vanilla extract and mix well again.
- Let cook on low until it starts to boil gently. Set aside from the fire and let rest for a couple of minutes.
- Strain and serve.
Notes
Don’t avoid using black pepper when making golden milk, black pepper is crucial to activating the goodness in turmeric (it has lots of benefits worth investigating for the post writing)
You can omit the vanilla extract, also it’s not traditional, but I find it a nice addition to balance out all the other super-powerful spices.
I also like to froth the vegan milk with a milk frother, but that’s optional. You can serve it with a sprinkle of cinnamon powder.
This drink is meant to be drunk hot. It can be stored in the fridge once chilled in a crystal bottle for up to a week.
Vegan golden milk
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