Turmeric Latte Recipe

Turmeric Latte, a twist on your favorite classic! Turmeric Latte is a creamy, earthy, slightly spicy and sweet drink that you will absolutely love! If you love sipping those creamy & frothy fancy beverages at your local cafe, you got to try this Turmeric Latte. No matter whether you are bored with your regular Turmeric Tea or looking to replace your Indian Haldi ka Doodh, this Turmeric Latte is the ultimate choice.

In this post I share how to make a good turmeric latte at home which you can also customize it to your preference.

What is a Turmeric Latte?

The term latte comes from cafe latte, or “coffee and milk.” It was originally an Italian drink of espresso and steamed milk.

Nowadays there are many versions that either add on flavors, such as the mocha latte with its chocolate syrup, or don’t use any kind of coffee at all, such as the green tea based matcha latte.

The one constant in a latte is the use of milk.

This turmeric latte is neither quite like the popular tea and coffee lattes at cafes, nor is it quite like the extremely popular and somewhat similar “golden milk” turmeric drink.

Unlike most lattes, while making turmeric latte, the milk is not added to another drink for flavor and mouthfeel. Milk is the basis of the entire drink, as the milk itself is cooked with spices to make it tasty.

While Turmeric Milk is often considered equivalent to a Turmeric Latte, this recipe challenges that idea. Because this tastes and smells so much different from the traditional Turmeric Milk. Moreover, the creamy froth takes it to the next level.

Instead of using just turmeric and black pepper, the milk is simmered with a bevy of spices.

Cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and black pepper lend their heat and complexity to the drink, while a hint of vanilla adds some sweetness. The intensity of the spices is tempered by the milk.

Overall, this is a well-rounded, flavorful drink that is easy to make and easy to down!

Whether you have specialty coffee tools or not, you’ll find this recipe surprisingly simple to brew using ingredients you probably have on hand.

Save a little on your fancy drink habit by learning how to make turmeric lattes in the comfort of your own home. Your new favorite drink awaits!

Making a turmeric latte is surprisingly simple; it’s even easier if you have experience making coffee drinks at home.

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How to make a Turmeric Latte (Stepwise Photos)

1. To make a single serving drink, you need 1 cup whole milk or almond milk. I prefer using ground turmeric than using fresh root for this. You will also need ground black pepper, ground cinnamon and ground cardamom. If you don’t have all of them ground, you may add whole spices and crush them using a mortar pestle. Adding whole spices don’t really impart much flavors to your turmeric latte.

If you want to use fresh ginger, peel it. Start with a small amount as it can get too spicy.

2. To start, add ginger (optional) and all the ground spices to a sauce pan.

3. This step is optional for stronger flavor. Pour ¼ cup water and mix well. Bring this to a boil and simmer for 3 to 4 mins (do not burn). Your kitchen will be filled with an enticing aroma. This is how it looks after simmering. You can also make this ahead if you want.

4. Pour the milk, vanilla and sugar or maple syrup. Whisk well and increase the heat to medium.

5. When you see the steam coming up from the milk, remove the pan from heat. Do not boil. Ideally temperature should be 145 to 155 F or 62 to 68 C so it froths well.

Froth the Milk

6. You can froth the milk in 3 ways. A milk frother works the best, however you can also use a whisk or a mason jar or even a blender for this. But note that a blender jar can easily stain.

7. Method 1: Using a hand whisk begin to whisk until frothy and bubbly. You have to do it for a few minutes non-stop.

8. The resulting froth is not dense but has large bubbles so it will settle down fast. Pour it to the serving cup and serve immediately.

9. Method 2: To froth in a heatproof mason jar, I prefer to strain the milk.

10. Cover and shake the bottle until it turns frothy.

11. Method 3: I prefer this method, using a milk frother. If you drink coffee/ latte or milk beverages often it is worth investing in an inexpensive milk frother/ frothing wand.

12. Pour the milk to a tall jar or use a lid to avoid the spills. Froth for about 25 to 30 seconds or so.

13. You have thick Turmeric Latte ready.

If you want a more creamier and dense froth, do it a little longer. Pour Turmeric Latte to your serving cup and enjoy it warm.

Pro Tips

Boiling spices in water is essential for the best flavors. Else the turmeric latte tastes bland or at least not so flavorful. You can also boil it with little milk first but water works best for me.

Strain the milk after boiling or leave out the residue when you serve. Turmeric & spices won’t dissolve in the milk completely.

If you lack a milk frother, try using a blender instead to get that signature pillowy texture. But note that you need to rinse off your blender jar immediately as you don’t want to stain it.

For those with a sweet tooth, consider adding a dash of honey or more maple syrup to taste.

Vegan or lactose intolerant? Experiment with the recipe using plant-based milks – almond and coconut milk are classic turmeric latte alternatives.

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