This Cardamom Golden Milk Latte is a unique, warm, spiced latte with a pretty golden color from the turmeric. Before bed, I find myself wanting something hot and soothing but caffeine-free, and this golden milk latte hits the spot. The recipe is quick and easy so it’s no stress to make when sleepy. You get an amazing floral element from the cardamom and rich flavors released into the latte by slowly heating the spices into the warm milk. It’s the ideal wind-down ritual.

Golden milk lattes are sometimes called “moon milk,” online and you’ll usually see it made with non-dairy milk even though it’s more traditionally made with cow’s milk. Many people drink golden milk lattes to hide the taste of adaptogens, but I just like to enjoy it for what it is.

That said, I do think it’s worth recognizing that golden milk has been pretty heavily appropriated in the wellness world. It’s so much more than just a trendy latte — it has deep roots in Ayurvedic traditions which I got to learn so much of during the time I spent in an ashram in northern India. So now, it’s often a part of my nightly routine: a warm cup of golden milk or other warm beverage, a few quiet moments, and then off to bed.

🧾 Ingredient Notes for this Recipe

Ground cardamom: I’ve found this gives the best result, so it’s my preference to use over cardamom pods. That said, you could use a 3-5 cracked cardamom pods during the steep and strain them out, instead.
Sweetener: You can use any sweetener of your choice, from honey to white sugar to brown sugar to simple syrup. I love amping up the cardamom flavor in this latte with some cardamom simple syrup. Sweetness is a personal preference, so I don’t give a specific measurement, just sweeten to taste.
Milk choice: This beverage is best with whole cow’s milk or a flavorless non-dairy milk (I love a thicker oat milk in this recipe). Keep in mind that all kinds of milk have slightly different flavors, like coconut milk will taste different than almond milk or dairy milk, so there will be slight variation in tastes depending on the milk you choose.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

👩‍🍳 How to Make This Recipe

Add the spices to a saucepan and bring to a light simmer, stirring constantly.
Then turn off the heat and allow the spices to steep in the milk for 5 minutes.
Froth the latte before serving.
Serve warm.

🥗 Cookies to Enjoy with Your Latte

I love to dip a sweet cookie into my drinks, don’t you? These would be perfect for that!

Shortbread cookies on a bed of cardamom pods.

Cardamom Shortbread Cookies

Three cookies with poppy seeds and one with a bite taken out of it.

Noon Berenji (Cardamom Rose Cookies)

Stack of lace cookies with green chocolate drizzle.

Matcha Lace Cookies (like Florentines)

Lavender Shortbread Cookies Dipped in Matcha

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Author: Candice Walker