Badam Milk (Badam Drink)

Updated: April 24, 2023, By Swasthi

Badam Milk is a traditional Indian drink made with almonds (or almond flour), cardamoms, saffron, whole milk and sugar. Almonds are ground to a smooth paste and simmered with full-fat milk & spices for a delicious, fragrant and protein-rich drink. It is served warm or chilled and is great for kids and grown-ups alike.

This refreshing Badam Milk is a staple in Indian households especially with kids & aged. I know a lot of kids are fussy to drink plain milk and mine were the same. We have been making this for my boys’ since they were toddlers and they love it for their afterschool snack/meal.

I also remember drinking Kesar Badam Doodh (saffron infused) regularly during my pregnancies since I was advised by my Mom. Since almonds are protein-packed and nutritious, it makes for a great drink anytime of the day.

About Badam Milk

Badam Milk is also served as a welcome drink during occasions like parties, weddings and celebrations. You will find this drink in most Indian coffee shops, restaurants and cafes too. But the version you get there is loaded with additivities for flavoring and thickening. Some even add corn starch or custard powder as a cheap filler.

This homemade version is actually easier if you have store-bought blanched almonds or almond flour. But whole raw almonds work and that’s what the traditional method uses.

Raw almonds are soaked, peeled and ground with little milk and spices to a smooth paste. This step of soaking and peeling does take some time so I have been using the store-bought flour in the recent years. I have updated my recipe to use the almond flour while keeping the previous version with whole almonds intact. So use what you have in hand.

Spices: Traditionally cardamoms are used. But a pinch of saffron, turmeric, nutmeg and black pepper are other spices that can be used. I have even seen gulkand (rose petal jam), rose water and kewra water being added. Each spice has a specific purpose and infuses a flavor-profile so use what you like.

Milk: Traditionally full-fat cow’s milk is used for richness but goat milk also works great in this recipe.

Sweetener: Use any kind of sweetener you prefer. But sugar is a staple and people also use Rock Sugar (mishri) for its cooling properties. But avoid using jaggery as it can split the milk. If you want you can also use date syrup or dates (blend with almonds) but the flavor is different.

More beverages you may like
Strawberry almond shake
Turmeric milk
Dry fruits milkshake
Chocolate milkshake
Banana milkshake
Lassi Recipe

Photo Guide

Step-by-step photos to make Badam Milk

1. Omit this step if you are using almond flour. These steps are for using raw almonds. Add 20 to 24 almonds to a bowl. Rinse them well and soak for 30 mins in hot water.

soaking almonds

2. Peel the skin and add them to a blender jar along with ⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom or 2 whole green cardamoms, 2 teaspoons organic sugar and a pinch of saffron (optional). Pour half cup milk and blend to a smooth paste. I use chilled milk as this avoids the blender from becoming hot.

If using flour, use ½ cup blanched almond flour. You still need to grind the flour to a smooth paste with half cup milk.

grind almonds with milk

3. You should have a smooth paste else you need to strain the milk later. (The grits in the milk can irritate the throat)

badam paste for milk

4. On a medium flame, bring 1½ cups milk to a boil in a thick bottom pan/ pot.

boiling milk in a pot

5. Stir in the ground almond mixture into the boiling milk. Stir well and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until really bubbly and frothy. Taste test and add more sugar or flavorings if you want. Cool down or chill the milk (covered) in the refrigerator for a few hours.

simmering badam milk in a pan

Whisk well with a fork or a whisk until uniform and pour to serving glasses/ cups. It keeps good in the refrigerator for 2 days. If you want you may garnish with thin sliced almonds or pistachios. I garnished mine with saffron and black pepper for the purpose of photography.

Apart from drinking it warm or cold, you can also pour it over your cereals, plain poha or mix with mashed cooked rice or cereals for your babies.

Badam Milk

Faqs

What is Badam Milk made of?

Badam milk is made with whole milk, ground almonds, cardamoms, saffron and sugar

Is Almond Milk and Badam Milk the same?

No, Almond milk is plant-based milk extracted from ground almonds and water. But Badam Milk is ground almonds and spices, simmered in full fat dairy milk. The nutrition value of almond milk is lower than the latter.

Can we drink Badam Milk at night?

Yes, it makes for a great bed time drink unless you have diet restrictions.

Related Recipes

Recipe Card

badam milk recipe

Badam Milk Recipe | Badam Doodh

5 from 74 votes
Badam milk is a traditional Indian ayurvedic drink that's equal parts healthy and delicious. It is made with almonds, milk, cardamoms & sugar. Serve it warm during winters & chilled during summers.
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For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card

Prep Time6 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time16 minutes
Servings2
AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )

  • 20 to 24 almonds (or ½ cup blanched almond flour, loosely measured)
  • 500 ml (2 cups) Milk
  • 2 teaspoons Sugar or any sweetener of choice
  • 1 pinch Saffron strands or ⅛ tsp turmeric (optional)
  • teaspoon Green cardamom powder (ealichi powder from 2 pods)


Instructions

How to make Badam Milk

  • Omit this to use almond flour. Add almonds to a bowl and rinse them well. Soak them in ¾ cup hot water for 30 mins. Later peel them.
  • To a blender jar, add almonds (or flour), cardamom, sugar and saffron (if using). Pour half cup milk and blend to a very smooth paste.
  • On a medium flame, bring the rest of the milk to a boil and stir in the almond paste. Mix well and simmer for 2 to 3 mins until bubbly and frothy.
  • Taste test and add more sugar or flavorings if you want. Cool down or cover and chill in the refrigerator for a few hours. It keeps good in the refrigerator for 2 days.
  • Whisk well until uniform and pour to serving glasses. Garnish with thin sliced almonds or pistachios or rose petals.


Notes

  • If you do not have a powerful blender, you may soak the almonds longer. You need a really smooth paste else strain the milk before serving.
  • Homemade Badam milk does not use any thickeners. But if you are making for an occasion you may add little custard powder and omit saffron. 

Video

NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)

Nutrition Facts
Badam Milk Recipe | Badam Doodh
Amount Per Serving
Calories 226 Calories from Fat 117
% Daily Value*
Fat 13g20%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Cholesterol 25mg8%
Sodium 107mg5%
Potassium 400mg11%
Carbohydrates 18g6%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 17g19%
Protein 10g20%
Vitamin A 405IU8%
Calcium 309mg31%
Iron 0.4mg2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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About Swasthi

Iโ€™m Swasthi Shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthi’s Recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthiโ€™s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills. More about me

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5 stars
Very good recipe. Turned out excellent

5 stars
Delicious! Do you strain the badam milk before serving? I left it in the refrigerator overnight and had a thick layer of cream the next morning. Didn’t know what to do, so removed it to a bowl and it was so delicious that I ate it up like pudding.

5 stars
This is such a wonderful drink and I love making a large batch to reheat every morning. Thank you

5 stars
Made this badam milk for the first time and my husband loves it. Next time will try with almond flour. That seems very easy because don’t need to peel. Thank you

5 stars
Dear Swasthi, just like you have a section for toddler recipes do you have one for postpartum?

Hi mam, how many almonds are required for my 2years old daughter? Serving on a daily basis is fine mam?

Hi mam, how many almonds can be served to my 2 years old daughter? Mam if possie pls suggest some protein foods for toddlers.this is the only site I can trust and follow thanx a lot

Thank you so much for your quick response and concern?

5 stars
hi,
can u plz guide me how much saffron consumption will b safe during pregnency..is it ok to have it in badam milk everyday??

saffron is heating to body and i heard that it cause early delivery thats y i was asking u for ur guidance..thanks alot now i am clear about that ??

Greetings!

May I know whether the prepared badam milk be stored in refrigerator for using it the next day?

Thank you!

Hi Swasthi, I have tried so many recipes from you blog and all of them turned out very tasty! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!

For the badam milk recipe could you suggesr a healthy alternative for sugar , I have not given sugar so far to my 20 months old kid. He does drink milk with a bit of jaggery in it.

Thanks !

Thank you for the suggestions swasthi ! Will give them a try.

hi swasthi, can i add only cocoa powder in plain milk for chocolaty flavour?…is it healthy nd safe 4 kids to hv it daily at morning nd night before sleep as it contains caffeine?
if yes ,then what is the dosage?

5 stars
Hi madam yesterday i tried your almond milk recipe. It turns out perfect. Thank you so much madam for the perfect recipe.

hai mam,
we as a bachelor’s working in the factories have accomodation 6 person / room. we dont have mixes, grinder we will be cooking only in kadai that also in induction stoove. please provide us the sweet recipies without the use of mixing grinder

Hello Swasthi,
I bought a pack of almond flour hoping to make badam milk. I found it to be too coarse. I tried soaking the flour and blending. But it did not help. The kids are not liking the grits in the milk. Please suggest how do I use it up for making the milk? TIA

5 stars
Wonderful ? ?
Love your blog very much. My kid who stopped drinking milk an year ago began to drink this badam milk. Kudos to your work! Awesome recipes! Thanks a ton!

5 stars
Mam I want to give badam milk daily instead of Junior horlickd…
Will u suggest me w ha t tym we can get badam milk…

5 stars
Owe some blog for new mommies thank you Swathi

5 stars
HI Swathi,
I have started trying your baby foods for my 8 month old kid and he is happy with new foods. But he has mostly running nose and catch cold easily, so I don’t give him other fruits except apple. As I am in Bangalore, weather is mostly cold and raining. So, I am afraid of giving other fruits, ragi and sago. Please suggest if i am doing wrong? Also, suggest some foods and food recipe that will keep him body warm in cold weather.

5 stars
Hi Swasthi, I stay in bangalore. Only cow milk is available here. Everyone uses same milk for babies food 6-10 months. But i have seen in many of the receipes that not to use until 1 year. Please suggest

5 stars
Hi Swasthi,

I tried this and it tasted good, only thing was, it was granular while drinking.

The same thing happened with carrot milkshake. The taste was very good, but the granules could be felt while drinking.

For both the drinks, i had soaked almonds overnight and followed the same step by step procedure.

Please advise.

5 stars
Hello Swasthi,

It’s really good recipe and thank you for sharing this.

Can I get the recipe of fruit salad ice-candy……….?

Reply me as soon as possible…..

Thanking you….