This gorgeous Ombré Iced Golden Milk is simple to make and packed with warming spices. For those times when you want a cool, milky drink, rather than a hot one, this easy iced Golden Milk is a great choice that also has some health benefits. Once you’ve made the Golden Milk syrup, the drink is just two ingredients!
What is Golden Milk?
Traditional Golden Milk, also known as Haldi ka Doodh, is a very old Ayurvedic drink from India. For centuries, this hot, creamy turmeric tea has been served as a soothing health tonic.
It’s a delicious way to get the many health benefits of turmeric root, and it’s also a comforting, caffeine-free drink to enjoy in the evening as you wind down from the day.
My iced version can be enjoyed any time of day, but it’s especially nice on a hot summer afternoon or first thing in the morning.
How to make the drink layered
The key to an ombré iced golden milk is to layer frothed milk on top. Using an inexpensive milk frother (I got mine on Amazon), whip up the milk until it’s airy and doubled in size.
Pour this frothed milk over the syrup and milk layer that you’ll shake up in your shaker or mason jar. In addition to looking pretty, the frothed milk also gives the drink a lovely light and fluffy mouthfeel.
If you don’t have a cocktail shaker
No shaker? No worries. You can use a mason jar instead, or even a protein shake mixing bottle. As long as it’s large enough and has a lid or a cap, it’ll work.
Add the ingredients and ice, screw on the lid, and shake until the liquid is very cold.
Strain the liquid from the ice by holding the lid over the opening of the jar, leaving only a small space for the liquid (but not the ice) to pour out. You could also strain the liquid from the ice using a fine mesh strainer.
What kind of milk to use
I used cow’s milk here because it’s creamy and froths nicely. You could also use almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, or other non-dairy milks, but they each froth differently. As a general rule, the more fat in the milk, the better the foam will be.
About the syrup
This Golden Milk Syrup uses some traditional Golden Milk spices: turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and black pepper.
Why black pepper? Because it aids in the absorption of curcumin, the prized compound found in turmeric. Curcumin is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that has been scientifically shown to have some health benefits.
Adding just a pinch of black pepper to the syrup ensures that you get the benefits of the turmeric but without affecting the overall taste of the drink very much. Some folks choose to swallow a whole peppercorn when they take turmeric supplements or drink traditional hot Golden Milk!
Iced Golden Milk Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Golden Milk Syrup
- ¾ – 1 cup of whole milk, divided
To make the Golden Milk Syrup:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp ground turmeric
- 2 tbsp ginger juice
- 1 vanilla bean, optional
- 4 cardamom pods
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 empty tea bag (optional)
Instructions:
Pour half of the milk into a glass and froth it with a milk frother, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Set aside.
Pour the syrup and the other half of the milk into a cocktail shaker or mason jar and fill it ¾ with ice.
Shake until the liquid is cold, then strain it into a tall glass filled with ice.
Top the glass with the frothed milk and garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon, if desired.
You may also enjoy:
- Blood Orange Turmeric Ginger Mocktail
- Turmeric Ginger Simple Syrup
- 5 Minute Pineapple Ginger Syrup
- Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew (Starbucks Copycat)
Iced Ombré Golden Milk (Turmeric Milk)
Ingredients
For the Iced Ombré Golden Milk:
- 1½ oz golden milk syrup
- ¾ – 1 cup milk of choice, divided
For the Golden Milk Syrup:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp ground turmeric
- 2 tbsp ginger juice (I use The Ginger People)
- 4 cardamom pods
- 1 cinnamon stick
- pinch black pepper
- 1 vanilla bean (optional)
- 1 empty tea bag (optional)
Instructions
For the Iced Ombré Golden Milk:
- Pour half of the milk into a glass and froth it with a milk frother, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Set aside.
- Pour the syrup and the other half of the milk into a cocktail shaker or mason jar and fill it ¾ with ice.
- Shake until the liquid is cold, then strain it into a tall glass filled with ice.
- Top the glass with the frothed milk and garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon, if desired.
For the Golden Milk Syrup:
- Heat the water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently until all of the sugar has dissolved, then add the turmeric (in a tea bag, if possible), cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, and black pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for five to ten minutes or until flavorful. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the ginger juice.
- Allow the syrup to cool fully before straining out the solids. Store any leftover syrup in a closed container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.