How to Make Saffron Milk

Kindi Lantz August 30, 2018

Step-by-step Instructions for How to Make Saffron Milk

Last week we discussed The History and Health Benefits of Saffron Milk and learned of the traditions associated with the comforting beverage, also known as Kesar Doodh and Kesar Badam Doodh but what I failed to do was provide instructions for how to make saffron milk.

In the previous post, we learned of the reasons why the beverage is ritualistically imbibed during pregnancy and post-wedding ceremony in Indian culture. We also discussed the many potential health benefits one might experience upon consuming the comforting saffron-infused beverage.  Among those benefits are things like improved immunities, decreased blood pressure, and regulating blood sugar. And the benefits extend beyond the wedding night and pregnancy! You can learn more about the claimed health benefits of saffron here.

But there are plenty of other reasons to learn how to make saffron milk!

For starters, it’s absolutely delicious! Sweetened with a bit of sugar or simple syrup and infused with crushed almonds, cardamom, and saffron, this concoction will send your taste buds into an extremely blissful state of being. Plus, the surprising crunch of the almonds adds a textural element, adding a level of heartiness to the beverage. For me though, the best reason to sit down with a cup of warm saffron milk is that of the way it makes me feel. It’s so comforting and helps to calm my mind!

Enough of the reasons why you should enjoy a cup of Kesar Doodh, though. Here’s the recipe for how to make saffron milk!

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 tablespoon almond slivers
• ¼ teaspoon saffron threads (plus 2-3 additional threads to garnish)
• ½ teaspoon fresh-ground cardamom
• 2 tablespoons simple syrup (kick it up a notch with this vanilla simple syrup)

PROCEDURE:

1. Using a mortar and pestle, roughly grind the almonds.
   
   
2. Once the almonds are almost ground, add in the saffron and slightly crush.
   
   
3. Pour the milk into a small saucepan and turn the heat to medium.
4. Add in the crushed almonds, saffron threads, cardamom, and simple syrup.
   
   
5. Stir the mixture thoroughly and frequently to ensure the milk doesn’t scorch.
6. Bring the mixture up to a rolling boil and turn down to low.
7. Simmer for 5 minutes.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

Serve your saffron milk warm. Spoon the concoction into a mug, ensuring to get some of the almondy goodness from the bottom. Gently place a few saffron threads atop the milk and serve with a spoon.

Now that you know how to make saffron milk, you can soothe and impress your friends and family by making them a warm cup on a chilly day! On what occasions do you plan on making this delightful beverage?