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Now that spring is just around the corner (thank goodness — I’m more than ready!), I’ve happily transitioned from my usual hot matcha latte each morning to iced matcha. And this vibrant, simple drink couldn’t be more refreshing. ♡

A homemade iced matcha latte is incredibly quick and easy to make in just a few minutes and costs a small fraction of the coffee shop version. All you need is some good-quality matcha powder, your choice of milk and sweetener, a splash of hot water and ice and you’ll be good to go! As always when making homemade lattes, you can completely customize the amount of milk and sweetener to your liking. Plus, I’ve included some fun variations below, in case you’d like to add in some espresso, lavender, vanilla or whatever other flavorings.

So the next time you’re craving an iced matcha latte, grab your whisk and let’s make this vibrant drink together! (more…)

After moving back to KC last summer, one of my good friends introduced me to her favorite drink at our neighborhood coffee shop — an iced lavender latte — and it was love at first sip. ♡

I’ve long been a fan of pairing lavender with earl grey tea to make a London fog latte. But this was the first time I had ever tasted lavender paired with espresso. And when out for a morning stroll around the neighborhood with our iced lattes on a hot summer’s day, that extra hint of delicate floral flavor in my coffee was just delightful. Loved it!

The cost of those extra pumps of syrup at the coffee shop have a way of adding up quickly, though. So last summer, I got into the routine of making small batches of homemade lavender syrup so that we could make our own lavender lattes here at home. And now nearly a year later, a hot or iced lavender latte continues to be one of my favorite ways to begin the day. They’re easy to make and customize with your favorite type of milk and espresso, and taste equally delicious hot or iced. So whenever you feel like giving your latte a floral twist, let’s simmer up a quick batch of lavender syrup and make some lavender lattes together!

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Back in Barcelona, we lived above the cutest little art café that served a gorgeous selection of cakes, pastries, coffees, and teas each day in their impressive collection of antique chinaware. It always felt like a step back in time cozying up at one of their bistro tables, sipping tea from a delicate antique cup while watching the modern world whirl by just outside the windows. But we absolutely loved it. And over the years, I came to know and love their delicious menu too.

Especially, you guessed it, their vanilla rose latte. ♡

This simple, floral, warm drink became one of my favorite treats during the wintertime, especially after chilly days of running errands all around the city. It was always wonderfully comforting and cozy without being too heavy. And as a bonus, I always loved that it was caffeine-free, which meant I could pop by to enjoy a latte at any time of the day or evening.

I pretty quickly figured out how to make my own homemade rose latte, which I rarely did in Barcelona because the café was simply too convenient and too charming to pass up. But now that we’re back in Kansas City and the weather is cooling off, I’ve been getting in the habit of making them in the evenings, and they’re just so delightful. All you need is your choice of milk, a splash of rose water, and a few pantry staples, and your own warm (or iced!) rose latte can be ready to go in just a handful of minutes. So if you’re looking for a cozy new drink to enjoy this winter, I hope you’ll join me and give this one a try!

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Whether you’re craving a cozy mug of warm golden milk on a chilly day, or looking to cool off with a refreshing glass of iced golden milk, my favorite golden milk recipe always hits the spot. ♡

It’s quick and easy to make with a simple blend of warming spices that you likely already have in your pantry, including nutrient-dense turmeric, which gives the drink is famously bright and beautiful golden color. And when making homemade golden milk, you of course have the option to completely customize the spice blend, type of milk, and amount of sweetener to your liking. If you enjoy golden milk on the regular like we do in our home, I’ve also included instructions below for how to pre-mix a large batch of golden milk powder (basically all of the spices, salt and pepper) ahead of time, so that you can just add a quick spoonful to steamed milk whenever the craving hits. And while we normally only keep ground turmeric stocked in our kitchen, I’ve included an option as well for how to make golden milk with fresh turmeric if you happen to have some on hand.

I’ve been in the habit this winter of making myself a warm mug of golden milk each evening after dinner, and have to say that I find myself looking forward to that soothing, delicious blend of warming spices so much. It’s just such a delicious drink, in addition to its impressive list of healing benefits (see below), and never fails to deliver on those comforting hygge vibes.

So whether you’re craving hot golden milk or a chilled glass of iced golden milk, I hope you’ll bookmark the recipe below to give it a try!

Golden Milk (Hot or Iced) Recipe | 1-Minute Video

Golden Milk Ingredients

Before we get to the full recipe below, here are a few notes about the golden milk ingredients that you will need:

• Milk: I typically use plain oat milk (or a 50/50 blend of oat milk and water) to make a golden milk latte, but any variety of dairy milk or plant-based plain milk will do.
• Sweetener: You’re welcome to add in a drizzle of maple syrup, honey, sugar or your preferred sweetener to sweeten this drink.
• Warming spices: I love using a simple mix of ground turmeric, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, black pepper (essential to help the body better absorb the nutrients in turmeric) and fine sea salt for my golden milk powder base. But of course, please feel free to customize your own blend and add in any other warming spices that you love too, such as cardamom, nutmeg, allspice or cloves.
• Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla is optional but really brings out the best of these warming spices.

How To Make Golden Milk

Detailed directions for how to make golden milk (hot or iced) are included in the full golden milk recipe instructions below. But here is a quick summary:

1. Dissolve the spices. Whether you’re making hot or iced golden milk, it’s essential to first dissolve the spices and salt in hot milk. So heat the milk — the full amount of milk for the hot version, or a small amount of milk for the iced version — until it nearly reaches a simmer. (You do not want the milk to boil.) Then stir in the spices, salt, vanilla extract, and any additional sweetener until dissolved.
2. Add cold milk (only if serving iced). At this point, pour the hot golden milk base over a full glass of ice and stir with cold milk until combined if you are making iced golden milk.
3. Taste. Give the hot or iced golden milk a taste and see if you need to stir in any additional sweetener.
4. Serve. Then serve and enjoy! The spices in golden milk can have a tendency to sink to the bottom after a little while, so I recommend regularly giving your drink a stir to mix it up.

Golden Milk Recipe Variations

Here are a few golden milk latte recipe variations that you’re welcome to try:

• Add oil or ghee: Add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of oil (such as coconut oil) or ghee to this drink, which may help the body to better absorb the nutrients in turmeric.
• Add tea: Steep your favorite tea (such as black tea, rooibos, etc) in the milk along with the golden milk powder.
• Add a kick: Add in a pinch of cayenne or amp up the black pepper to give this drink more of a spicy kick.
• Use fresh turmeric: Use approximately 2 inches of sliced fresh turmeric root in place of the ground turmeric. Steep the sliced turmeric in the steamed milk mixture for 5 minutes, then strain out and discard the turmeric root.
• Use only water: While omitting milk will definitely made the drink less creamy, golden milk is still delicious when made with water instead of milk.

Golden Milk Benefits

Looking for even more reasons to love this cozy drink? Here are a few of the potential health benefits of golden milk to consider (source):

• It’s loaded with antioxidants. Turmeric, especially, contains strong antioxidants that can help lower the risk for infections and disease.
• May help reduce inflammation and joint pain. Ginger, cinnamon and turmeric have potent anti-inflammatory properties, which may help to reduce joint pain from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
• May improve memory and brain function, mood, and protect against heart disease. Turmeric may increase levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which promotes the growth of brain cells and reduce symptoms of depression.
• May lower blood sugar levels. Ginger and cinnamon, specifically, may help to reduce blood sugar levels.
• May aid in digestion. Ginger and turmeric have calming properties that can help with indigestion.

Golden Milk FAQ

What is golden milk? Also commonly known as turmeric milk or a turmeric latte, golden milk is a drink typically made with turmeric, various other warming spices, and your choice of milk. It can be served hot or iced, made with dairy- or non-dairy milk, and tastes so cozy and delicious.

Where is golden milk from? Golden milk is a centuries-old traditional Ayurvedic drink that originated in India, known in Hindi as haldi doodh. Here is a great article that details more of the important history and cultural origins of this drink that is now so beloved around the world.

Is golden milk good for you? Golden milk is widely praised for its many nutritional benefits, in addition to its delicious flavor. See note above for more details and resources to learn about the potential benefits of golden milk.

Is golden milk vegan? Yes, this golden milk recipe is naturally vegan when made with plant-based milk. It is also naturally gluten-free.

Will golden milk help you sleep? I love enjoying a calming mug of golden milk just before bedtime, especially since the soothing spices included, specifically turmeric, are believed to promote healthy sleep. If you are sensitive to sugar, however, I recommend omitting any sweetener just before bed.

Will golden milk stain my teeth? Frequent consumption of turmeric can stain teeth, so it’s good practice to always brush your teeth after drinking golden milk.

Why do you need to use black pepper in golden milk? Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, is unfortunately not easily absorbed by the body on its own. But piperine, the bioactive compound in black pepper, can aid with its absorption. This is why most recipes that include turmeric also call for black pepper. (source)

Can I make a large batch of golden milk powder? Definitely! We love keeping a batch of pre-mixed golden milk powder (shown in the photo above) in our pantry. It will last for up to a year if made with fresh spices and stored in a sealed container. Simply mix together the following (enough for roughly 12 batches), then add 1 scant tablespoon per 2 cups of milk along with 1 teaspoon vanilla extract as directed in the recipe below.

• 1/3 cup ground turmeric
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons ground ginger
• 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

More Favorite Latte Recipes

Looking for more homemade latte recipes to try? Here are a few of our faves:

• Pink Latte (Hot or Iced)
• Pumpkin Spice Latte
• Iced Rooibos Latte
• London Fog (Earl Grey Latte)

Golden Milk (Hot or Iced)

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 15 reviews

• Prep Time: 3 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 1 serving 1x

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Description

Learn how to make homemade golden milk with this simple recipe. It’s quick and easy to make, full of good-for-you warming spices, and delicious served hot or iced.

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Ingredients

• 2 cups plain milk (I used oat milk)
• 1 to 3 teaspoons maple syrup or honey, to sweeten (optional)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• pinch of black pepper and fine sea salt

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Instructions

To Make A Hot Latte:

1. Steam the milk. Steam the milk until warm and frothy using a frother. Or heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat until nearly simmering, and whisk briefly until frothy.
2. Mix until combined. Add sweetener (if using), vanilla extract, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper and salt to a heatproof mug. Pour the steamed milk (minus the foam) into the mug and stir until combined. Add the foam on top and give it a brief stir.
3. Add extra sweetener if needed. Give the latte a taste and add extra sweetener, if needed.
4. Serve warm. Serve immediately and enjoy!

To Make An Iced Latte:

1. Dissolve the spices. Heat 1/2 cup of the milk (or alternately you can just use hot water) until nearly simmering. In a heatproof glass or measuring cup, whisk together the hot milk, sweetener, vanilla extract (optional), turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper and salt until combined.
2. Mix until combined. Fill a large glass with ice. Pour in the warm milk mixture. Then pour in the remaining cold milk, and stir briefly with a straw until combined.
3. Add extra sweetener if needed. Give the iced latte a taste and add extra sweetener, if needed.
4. Serve cold. Serve immediately and enjoy!

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Notes

Large-batch dry golden milk mix: To make a large batch (12 servings) of the dry golden milk mix, combine 1/3 cup ground turmeric, 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon, 2 tablespoons ground ginger, 3/4 teaspoon black pepper and 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt in a jar. Stir or cover and shake until combined, and store in a sealed container for up to 1 year. To use the dry golden milk mix, add 1 scant tablespoon to the recipe above with milk and vanilla extract as directed.

As someone who’s a bit of a ginger fanatic, I absolutely adore a well-crafted ginger shot. But the cost of those tiny store-bought bottles can definitely add up!

So this is of course where I try to talk you into making your own from scratch. ♡

It’s easy to make a quick batch in less than 10 minutes using a blender (no fancy juicer required). And the best part of making homemade ginger shots is that you get to control the intensity of the ginger and what other ingredients are included! I’m partial to a 3-ingredient mix of orange, lemon and coconut water as the base for my ginger shots. But you are welcome to just just about any type of fruit juice (such as grapefruit, pineapple, apple, etc) or water that you prefer. And while I love a strong spicy kick of ginger in mine, but you can easily tone down or amp up the amount of ginger however you would like.

I always love starting the week by blending up a quick batch. So if you love ginger shots as much as I do, join me!

Ginger Shots Recipe | 1-Minute Video

Ginger Shot Ingredients

Before we get to the full homemade ginger shot recipe below, here are a few quick notes about the ingredients you will need:

• Fresh ginger: The amount of fresh ginger that you use here is entirely up to you, so please give the recipe a try and add more or less to taste! There’s no need to peel the ginger for this recipe, since we will be straining out the pulp anyway. Just give it a quick wash, roughly chop it into a few small pieces, and you’ll be good to go.
• Citrus: I love to use a mix of fresh lemon and orange as the base for my ginger shots, but you are welcome to choose just one if you prefer, or see the note below for other fruit options. I typically just peel the orange and lemon and toss them in the blender with the ginger, in order to avoid having to wash a strainer as well. But you’re welcome to strain the citrus first before adding it to the blender if you prefer.
• Coconut water: I love the extra flavor and nutrients that coconut water adds to ginger shots, but water will work just fine too.

How To Make Ginger Shots

To make homemade ginger shots, simply:

1. Blend. Combine all of the ingredients in a high-speed blender or food processor and purée until relatively smooth.
2. Strain. Strain the juice through a fine-mesh strainer or nut milk bag into a measuring cup or bowl. Use a spoon to press down the pulp so that as much juice can be strained out as possible, then discard the pulp.
3. Serve. Serve immediately or refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days (or see freezer option below). The mixture will naturally settle as it sits, so be sure to give the mixture a stir or shake once more before serving.

How To Freeze Ginger Shots

Want to prep a big batch of ginger shots so that you can freeze and save them for later? To freeze ginger shots, simply:

1. Prepare the recipe. Make the recipe below as directed.
2. Portion into small servings. Give the mixture a good stir to be sure that it’s evenly combined. Then pour the ginger shots into your desired size of ice cube or freezer trays. (I like this tray that makes 2-ounce ice cubes, which equals a single serving of these ginger shots. But any size of ice cube tray can work.)
3. Freeze. Freeze the ginger shot ice cubes until completely frozen. Then quickly pop the cubes out and transfer them to a large freezer bag for easy storage, if you’d like.
4. Thaw. Once you’re ready to enjoy a frozen ginger shot, let it thaw in a sealed container in the refrigerator until liquid again. Then drink and enjoy! The thawed cubes can be stored safely in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Ginger Shot Variations

There are so many fun ways that you can customize your ginger shots, so please feel free to experiment and make this recipe your own! For example, you could:

• Add sweetener: Add however much maple syrup or honey (or whatever your preferred sweetener may be) to taste to sweeten the ginger shots.
• Add turmeric: Add fresh turmeric in with the fresh ginger, along with a pinch of black pepper to help with nutrient absorption.
• Add fresh mint: Add a handful of fresh mint leaves to the mix for a lovely extra layer of flavor.
• Use a different fruit base: Use a different type of juicy fresh fruit, such as grapefruit, pineapple, watermelon, mango, pear, etc, in place of the lemon/orange. Or you can just use your favorite store-bought fruit juice instead. You will need about 1/3 cup of fruit juice total for this recipe.
• Leave in the pulp: If you would rather not strain out the pulp, simply peel the ginger root before adding it to the blender. Then purée and serve!

Potential Benefits of Ginger Shots

In addition to being packed with fabulous flavor, fresh ginger shots are packed with powerful antioxidants and nutrients that can potentially help to boost your immune system, reduce inflammation, aid in digestion and hydration, soothe nausea, reduce blood sugar levels, along with a host of other benefits. (I’m clearly not a doctor, but you can read more from the experts here and here.)

It’s important to note, however, that ginger in high doses can be a blood-thinner and can increase heartburn in some individuals. So please always consult with a medical professional before taking ginger shots if you have any questions or concerns.

Ginger Shots

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 7 reviews

• Author: Ali
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins
• Total Time: 10 mins
• Yield: 5 (2-ounce) servings 1x

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Description

My favorite ginger shot recipe is super quick and easy to make in the blender. See notes above for potential ways to customize this recipe to your liking!

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Ingredients

• 3 ounces* fresh ginger, unpeeled, washed and roughly chopped
• 1 orange, peeled
• 1 lemon, peeled
• 1/4 cup coconut water

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Instructions

1. Blend. Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender. Blend for 20-30 seconds, until relatively smooth.
2. Strain. Strain the juice through a fine-mesh strainer or nut milk bag into a measuring cup or bowl. Use a spoon to press down the pulp so that as much juice can be strained out as possible, then discard the pulp.
3. Serve. Serve immediately or refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days. The ginger shots will naturally settle as the sit, so be sure to stir or shake briefly before serving.

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Equipment

Vitamix Blender

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Fine Mesh Strainer

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Notes

Amount of fresh ginger: If you’re new to ginger shots, please note that 3 ounces of fresh ginger will make these quite intense and spicy! I honestly sometimes prefer even more ginger in my shots, but you can absolutely use less if you prefer.

On those days when you’re craving a light and refreshing drink, try brewing some fresh mint tea! ♡

It’s just about the easiest thing ever. Simply steep some fresh mint leaves in hot water for about 5 minutes, strain them out, stir in any extra sweetener if you’d like, and serve hot or over ice. On chilly days, I adore brewing up a warm mug to cozy up with in the evenings. But when I’m craving a chilled drink, I love adding in a few generous squeezes of lime to make a fun mojito-ish iced mint tea. It’s such a lovely drink, and the flavor is notably fresher than dried mint tea bags!

Fresh mint is, of course, rich in nutrients and commonly used to help sooth an upset stomach or indigestion. It may also help with inflammation, allergies, and the common cold.¹ Mainly, though, I love it because it’s healthy, calming, caffeine-free and delightful in tea. So the next time you find yourself with a few extra sprigs on hand, heat up some water and let’s brew a quick batch of mint tea together.

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Once upon a time, this was the very first latte recipe I ever posted here on Gimme Some Oven. And now — over a decade and countless lattes later — it continues to be one of my absolute favorites. ♡

If you happen to be new to London Fog lattes, there’s actually zero coffee involved here. Rather, this is a simple tea latte brewed with classic earl grey, your choice of milk, a hint of vanilla extract to warm things up, and a drizzle of honey to sweeten. The version that I originally fell in love over a decade ago at Latte Land in Kansas City was also brewed with a subtle hint of lavender, whose flavor I’ve come to adore in this latte and am going to insist that you try here. It plays beautifully with the bergamot orange in the earl grey and the floral notes of the honey and, in my opinion, really elevates this drink to something extra-special. I’ve probably brewed hundreds of these lattes over the years, and always joke with friends that it’s my hug in a mug. Sooo cozy and comforting!

That said, as much as I adore a good hot London Fog, I’ve come to also really enjoy serving this latte over ice in the warmer months, so I thought I would update this recipe today to include both versions. This latte is also easy to make vegan with whatever dairy-free plain milk you most prefer. And if you happen to be avoiding caffeine, there are some lovely decaf earl grey teas on the market nowadays that will work perfectly in this recipe too.

Alright, let’s make some lattes!

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This seems to be the summer of cold brew tonics here in Europe. ♡

We’ve been seeing them featured on coffee shop menus everywhere we’ve traveled lately. And after sampling a few, I understand the draw — they’re so fizzy and refreshing!

The concept is just as it sounds — cold brew concentrate is served over ice, topped with bubbly tonic water, and garnished with a slice of lemon or orange. We’ve seen various versions made with espresso too, but I have to say that I definitely prefer the smoother, non-acidic flavor of cold brew in this drink. It pairs perfectly with the more bitter, botanical flavor of the tonic water (Fever Tree is my go-to). And when served ice cold with a squeeze of citrus on a hot summer day, this drink is downright delightful.

Here’s how to make one!

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I’m having a bunch of girlfriends over tonight for happy hour margaritas, chips and salsa. But since about half of our crew tends to not be drinking alcohol at any given point for various reasons, I’ll be making classic margaritas and these margarita mocktails too!

I first got into making virgin margaritas when I was pregnant last year, and was surprised to discover that you could still achieve those margarita-ish vibes even without the tequila or mezcal. For my taste, it helps to make virgin margaritas extra lime-y, so that the drink is more of a sipper and doesn’t just taste like lime soda. I also love adding in freshly-squeezed orange juice, a hint of agave, and a lightly-effervescent sparkling water. And then of course, if you’re into a good salt rim, that will always make this drink more festive!

I also love muddling a fresh jalapeño slice or two into my virgin margaritas, a step that seems to make any mocktail decidedly more complex and cocktail-ish. But whether you make your drink spicy or not, it will still be wonderfully tangy, delicious, and refreshing.

Let’s make a round together! (more…)