Kitchen Recipe Collection
Indian Badam Milk (Almond Milk)
A rich, traditional milk beverage flavored with a paste of soaked almonds, saffron, and cardamom. Served hot in winter or cold in summer.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 2
- Difficulty
- easy
- Cuisine
- indian
Ingredients
Scaled for 2 servings
- full-fat milk
- almonds
- sugar
- saffron strands
- cardamom powder
- pistachios (for garnish)
Equipment
- Blender
- Saucepan
Instructions
- 1
Blanch the Almonds
Soak a handful of almonds in hot boiling water for 30 minutes (or soak overnight in cold water).
- 2
Peel the Almonds
Pinch the almonds to easily slip off and discard their brown skins.
- 3
Prepare Saffron
Soak a pinch of saffron strands in a tablespoon of warm milk to release their bright yellow color.
- 4
Make Almond Paste
Place the peeled almonds in a small blender jar. Add 2 tablespoons of milk.
- 5
Blend Smooth
Blend into a very smooth, fine paste. Leave a few small chunks if you prefer a bite in your milk.
- 6
Boil the Milk
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring the remaining full-fat milk to a rolling boil.
- 7
Simmer
Lower the heat and let the milk simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally so it doesn't stick to the bottom.
- 8
Add Almond Paste
Whisk the almond paste into the boiling milk. Stir well.
- 9
Add Flavors
Add the saffron-infused milk, sugar, and freshly ground cardamom powder.
- 10
Final Boil
Let the milk simmer for another 3-5 minutes so the almond paste cooks slightly and the milk thickens.
- 11
Adjust Consistency
Turn off the heat. It should be rich and slightly thick, but easily drinkable.
- 12
Serve
Pour into mugs. Garnish with slivered almonds and pistachios. Serve piping hot in the winter, or chill it in the fridge for a refreshing summer drink.
Cooking Tips
- Do not use commercially bought almond milk. Authentic Indian Badam Milk is dairy milk heavily flavored with real almonds.
- Removing the skins from the almonds ensures a smooth, creamy texture and a beautiful pale yellow color.
Variations
- Kesar Badam Milk: A variation that heavily emphasizes saffron (kesar) for a brighter color and more intense floral flavor.
Chef's Notes & Storage
- A classic drink often given to children for its perceived nutritional benefits and brain-boosting properties.
Nutrition Estimate
190 calories · 7g protein · 18g carbs · 10g fat · 1g fiber per serving
