If you ever have trouble sleeping, try a mug of this Warm Cinnamon Turmeric Milk. This Golden Milk has amazing health benefits.
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This Warm Turmeric Cinnamon Milk is smooth, sweet, and comforting. Sipping a warm mug of this “golden milk” is my favourite way to relax, not only because it is soothing, but because I know I am giving my body a healthy treat.
Turmeric. You may have heard claims that it is one of the “world’s healthiest foods” and that it has amazing anti-inflammatory properties. Did you know that you’ve probably been eating it since you were a child? Curcumin, the pigment that gives turmeric its bright yellow color, is an ingredient of the mustard you likely smeared on your hot dogs and hamburgers in the past.
Turmeric has been used in Indian cooking and medicine for hundreds of years and is a key ingredient in most curries. More recent research shows that it also has antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-aging, anti-Alzheimer’s, liver detox (the list goes on . . .) benefits.
But here’s another amazing benefit –it may help you sleep too! When I’m occasionally wandering the house at 3 a.m., I’ll heat up a mug of this Warm Turmeric Cinnamon Milk, sometimes called “golden milk” and be back to sleep in no time.
Who has time to open all those little jars and measure these ingredients? Not me. After the first time I made this, I decided that once was enough, so I made a big batch and stored it in a small Mason jar. Now I just add a teaspoon of the powdered spice mix to my warm milk and honey. If you have fresh ginger or fresh turmeric (and time) the flavour is definitely heightened, so go for it.
Remember to add the black pepper just before serving. Pepper works hand in hand with curcumin, increasing your body’s ability to absorb it.
Make a commitment to include turmeric in your diet. Your body will thank you. And here’s an idea for a gift for someone who might like this, too. Scoop equal amounts of the spices into a spice jar, add a cinnamon stick and a label with the recipe and give to an appreciative friend.
See those cute little recipe tags in the photo above? Here’s my gift to you! Download and print on card stock to make gift tags.
Click here for your printable Warm Turmeric Cinnamon Milk Spice Mix gift tags.
- 1 cup milk, unsweetened almond, coconut, or dairy
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp coconut oil, optional
- 1/4 tsp each of ground turmeric, ginger, cinnamon and cardamom
- freshly ground black pepper
- In a small saucepan, gently heat the milk of your choice with the honey and optional coconut oil.
- Bring to the point where it is almost boiling, then remove from heat.
- Whisk in the spices until well blended. Strain through a fine mesh strainer, if desired.
- Add some freshly ground pepper, stir with a cinnamon stick and serve.
To make a big batch, use 1/4 cup each of ground turmeric, ginger, cinnamon and cardamom. Store in a glass jar. Makes 1 cup of mix. Add 1 teaspoon of this mix to 1 cup of milk and follow the rest of the recipe to make an individual drink.
I found the jars in the photo on a clearance rack at Michael’s, but haven’t been able to find identical ones since then. Here are some choices of similar storage jars that you might like to order if you’re making this Warm Turmeric Cinnamon Milk spice mix for gifts.
If you’re looking for more ways to add turmeric into your diet, check this collection:
7 Delicious Ways to Add Turmeric to your Diet
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just made this, it was yummy!
And it’s so good for us too! Glad you liked it.
I love this healthy drink before bedtime. Please remember, you also have to add pepper to the drink in order for the turmeric to be absorbed by the body.
Hello,
I just made this for the first time with powders and I was left with quite a bit of stuff in the bottom of the cup after I was finished. Did I do something wrong that the powder didn’t dissolve more? Thank you for any assistance.
Hi Bessie,
No, you didn’t do anything wrong. The spices sometimes don’t dissolve completely. I keep a cinnamon stick or a spoon in mine to stir occasionally while I’m drinking it. Hope this helps!
Wonderful recipe – so delicious and so relaxing on these cold winter days! I’m writing a post on turmeric and would love to include your link!
Thanks Jenna! Yes, of course, you’re welcome to link back to my post. Thanks!
When you make your big batch do you just use equal amounts of each?
I am sorry but i did not see where you put the amounts to use.
Hi Brenda,
Yes, you’re right. Just use equal amounts of each of cinnamon, turmeric, ginger and cardamom. Add a little pepper just before serving. In the recipe notes, I suggest using 1/4 cup of each to make 1 cup of mix. Store it in a small Mason jar so you always have some ready. Enjoy!
Tastes great with coconut milk. Yum!
Great idea!
When you make a big batch, how many spoon fulls do you add to the milk?
Hi Shelly, Just add 1 teaspoon of the mix to the milk and honey mixture. I’ve highlighted that in the post to make it more clear, so thanks for pointing it out.
is there anything to substitute the cardamom or just leave it out?
If you don’t like cardamom, I would just leave it out.
I use a dash of ground clove instead of cardamom. Delish!
Hi Carrie,
Great idea for those who don’t like cardamon! Thanks for sharing!
OH MY GOODNESS!! I just made this (without cardamom…didn’t have any) and it was SO yummy. Looks as though I need to hit the grocery store. Thank you so much for this! I am finally able to relax.
Hi Shelly, I’m so glad you liked it! And yes, it is a wonderfully relaxing drink. In fact . . . I think I’ll head to the kitchen now and make myself one! Thanks so much for letting me know.
is this good for arthritis and if so does it help cure it or just help with the pain.i have treid milk turmeric warm up .how long befor iwould notice any relief .thanks bob
Hi Bob,
So sorry to hear that you’re having to deal with arthritis pain. I’m not a medical professional, so I can’t give advice on whether or not this would help with your arthritis. I do know that it’s a relaxing drink that helps me sleep! Hope you find something to ease your pain.
hi if i was going to store in a jar, what are the measurements for each spice? thanks
Hi Christine,
That’s a great idea to make a big batch to store in a jar. In the recipe notes, I listed the amounts to make one cup. Just add 1/4 cup of each of the spices and stir to combine them evenly. When you want to make a mug, just stir one teaspoon of the mixed spices into the milk and honey in a saucepan. Enjoy!
Hi Miss Elaine,
I know Golden Milk (tumeric) is good for you but I never have the courage to make it until I run in your recipe Warm Tumeric Cinnamon. I tried half of what’s in your recipe and actually it’s pretty good. I don’t have cardamom and ginger powder but I used my edible essential oils instead. I love Indian curries so I used a lot of tumeric. I’ll be making this spice blend for my parents they have trouble sleeping. Thank you so much for your wonderful recipe. Great site!
Thanks Roro! I’m glad you liked it. Thanks so much for letting me know.
I LOVE this recipe so much that I plan to make jars full for each of my relatives for Christmas. Thank you for the tags and the helpful picture. The little jars you used are adorable. Where can I purchase them? Thank you!
Hi Denise,
You’re welcome! I did that for my relatives last year and they loved them. I’ll put a link in the post to where you can purchase them.
When you say milk of your choice does that include cow’s milk or did you mean only non-dairy milk products? Sounds yummy can’t wait to try this!
Hi Robin,
Any type of milk will work with this recipe: cow’s milk, or plant-based milks like almond milk, cashew milk, rice milk, etc. Some people have sensitivities to cow’s milk, so they choose a nut milk or other plant-based milk, but all will work just fine. Thanks for your question!
I am going to have to hit the spice isle. Been having some late nights and want to give this a try. Looks fantastic .
Thanks Redawna,
The cardamom is optional if you don’t have it (or don’t like it.) Besides being a healthy drink, I find it really soothing. You can adjust the amount of sweetener to suit your taste. Here’s to a good night’s sleep!
I absolutely love this recipe! I made a batch and drink it almost every night with almond milk. I used all of the ingredients. I add honey and coconut oil in the heated almond milk. I’m filling small jars as gifts!
HI Sharon,
That’s great to hear! I like it with almond milk, too. I’m sure whoever the lucky people are who receive it as gifts from you will be equally as happy! Thanks for commenting and rating my recipe! Much appreciated.
I forgot to mention how good I sleep!!
Ice just tried this and it’s delicious. A lovely winter drink. Does the milk need to be warm? Can I just add the spices to my nightly bedtime protein shake and drink it cold?
Hi Ed,
I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t. Warm milk is often soothing and helps you to relax so you can sleep, but if a protein shake works for you, try it! Thanks for commenting.
I love this!! I did not have any Cardamom so I look up a substite which cinnamon and ground cloves equal parts. I’m not a fan of the black pepper in it. I may have put to much. It seems to have cleared my sinuses as well. Thanks so much for sharing.
Hi Tiffany,
I’m so glad you liked it! That sounds like a good substitute for the cardamom. It’s not a common spice that everyone has in their spice cupboard. Thanks for commenting!
I’m currently breastfeeding, can I drink this?
Hi Karina,
I’m not a medical professional, so I can’t give medical advice. However, I can’t see any reason why this would be harmful–it’s simply warm milk with spices added. Sometimes sensitive breastfeeding babies will notice a change when Mom introduces a new food into her diet. Hope you like it!
Tried it last night. Indeed yummy. Just wanted to know whether the milk needs to be boiled along with the spices. I just added it to a cup of warm milk. Will be giving this to my family today. And being an Indian these spices are always used in our cooking. Thanks.
Hi Agnes, Thanks for letting me know how much you like it! No, you don’t need to boil the milk. Stirring the spices into warm milk makes a soothing drink, but they don’t need to be boiled together. Enjoy!
Hello, I love your recipe and it does relax me quite well as well as help lessening my joint pain. I do suggest to be aware of where and what type of spices you purchase. All are not equal fresh is best. Whole foods store or spice shop over grocery stores and grocery over discount stores. Especially cinnamon.
Hi! Made it and I also added nutmeg, delicious! (thinking in adding cloves as well)
Mmm. That sounds delicious1 Thanks for sharing your ideas!
Thaks so much, I drink mine through a straw, getvthe benefits, saves on yellow teeth .
That’s brilliant! Thanks for sharing.
Really yummy! Helped me sleep without all the disadvantages of sleeping pills! Highly recommended!
That’s great news! There’s nothing quite like a good sleep! Thanks for commenting.