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.
2. Peel the skin and add them to a blender jar along with â…› 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.
3. You should have a smooth paste else you need to strain the milk later. (The grits in the milk can irritate the throat)
4. On a medium flame, bring 1½ cups milk to a boil in a thick bottom pan/ 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.
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.
Faqs
Badam milk is made with whole milk, ground almonds, cardamoms, saffron and sugar
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.
Yes, it makes for a great bed time drink unless you have diet restrictions.
Related Recipes
Recipe Card
Badam Milk Recipe | Badam Doodh
For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card
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 â…› tsp turmeric (optional)
- â…› 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.Â
Video
NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)
© Swasthi’s Recipes
About Swasthi
I’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 Swasthi’s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills. More about me
Follow Swasthi’s Recipes
Comments
So satisfying & wholesome 💛 Thank you for posting this recipe!
Very good recipe. Turned out excellent
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.
Hi,
You don’t have to strain. Cover the badam milk immediately after making. This prevents the layer of cream. If you still find a thin layer, whisk it well until all the cream breaks down.
This is such a wonderful drink and I love making a large batch to reheat every morning. Thank you
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
Dear Swasthi, just like you have a section for toddler recipes do you have one for postpartum?
Hello Sonia,
No I don’t have. Postpartum diet changes with region (hot or cold) so I don’t have one. Thanks for rating
Hi mam, how many almonds are required for my 2years old daughter? Serving on a daily basis is fine mam?
Hi Venkat garu,
I replied Sridevi’s comment below. You can follow that.
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
Hi Sridevi,
You can serve about 10 almonds per day regularly. Avoid during monsoon/ winters. For protein foods give her khichdi regularly for lunch. You can also use brown rice and broken wheat in khichdi. Also change the vegetables in khichdi so she won’t be bored. Include 2 to 3 times in a week steamed sprouts, 2 to 3 times chana for breakfast. I also have a separate link on the recipe index for toddler foods. I hope this helps.
Thank you so much for your quick response and concern?
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??
Hi Zari,
7 to 8 strands of pure saffron per day is generally considered to be safe for consumption. Buy saffron from a trusted source. Yes You can have it in badam milk everyday. I have had it during both the times without any problems. The only thing is you have to closely monitor the baby’s & your weight in the last month. Badam usually helps in a good weight gain. Both the times I had to stop consuming it during the last 2 weeks due to the baby growing too big (nearly 3.5 kg). But every person is different. Your gynac will tell you if you need to change your diet during that time. Other than that it is so good for the mother and baby both. Hope this helps.
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 ??
Yes it is heating to the body. Use soaked almonds to make the badam milk. Soaked almonds are cooling so both will balance.
Greetings!
May I know whether the prepared badam milk be stored in refrigerator for using it the next day?
Thank you!
Greetings!
Yes You can refrigerate for 2 to 3 days.
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 !
Hi Sindhu,
You are welcome! Glad to know! If he is okay with jaggery do the same here. Just stir it when the badam milk cools down a bit. Alternately you can try with fresh dates or dried dates powder. If using fresh dates, soak them and blend with almonds. You can check if dried dates powder is available in Indian stores. Otherwise you have to crush the dried dates in a mortar pestle first and then make a fine powder in a spice jar. These are very hard so ensure you have a very good spice jar. Hope this helps.
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?
Hi Ayush,
Yes you can. Look for cacao powder. It is better than cocoa for regular consumption. Kids get bored with this very fast. For a change sometimes I add little ceylon cinnamon powder or vanilla extract. I just add approximately to suit their taste, too much can cause acidity & stomachache. You can try for a week and check.
Hi madam yesterday i tried your almond milk recipe. It turns out perfect. Thank you so much madam for the perfect recipe.
Hi Kavitha
You are welcome. Glad you liked the badam milk. Thank you
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
Hi Kiran,
You can try any of these recipes. As mentioned by you, all they need is a kadai and stove.
Kheer recipe
Semiya payasam
Coconut ladoos – You will need fresh coconut from the frozen section or desiccated coconut.
Fruit kesari
Rava kesari. Hope these help
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
Hi Anushree,
Not sure what kind of almond flour you bought. You can check for super fine flour. I don’t think coarse one will work well for milk. Instead just use it up for making badam burfi. Or May be try using it for shakes. It may go well with banana shake as it turns thick.
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!
Hi Sneha
You are welcome. So glad to know your kid enjoys the badam milk. I can understand your joy as mine too were the same before. Thanks for the comment.
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…
Hi Vaishali
If your kid is not going to school yet, then morning 10.30 is good time, 2 hrs after breakfast. Otherwise you can give in the evening 4 pm. Then you can also give just before going to bed in the night. Try all the options and check what goes well for your kid.
Owe some blog for new mommies thank you Swathi
Welcome Sowmya
Thanks a lot
🙂
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.
Hi Amrita
I too felt the same with my older kid. I used to give him only apples, chickoo, papaya,mangoes. Yes ragi and sago too are cooling. But feeding them while warm is fine. Give a try!
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
Hi Pravallika
Very sorry forgot to reply you.
yes in india everyone uses it. I too used for one of my kid but only for kheer and halwa recipes after 9 months. But i do not want to suggest readers explicitly to use cow’s milk due to critics. I am sure many will question me for that. If you think your baby will do good with it, then pls give a try. But remember you will risk your baby of allergies. After 9 months is safe I guess.
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.
Hi Kavitha
You will need to blend the almonds to very fine paste other wise you may feel the grains in the milk. Traditionally almond milk was made by making a paste with hand pestle made of stone. I guess a powerful blender does the job well. I use ultra mixie and mine gets done to a smooth paste. Next time, try chilling the ingredients and blending for a little longer. Hope these help