Far East meets Middle East in this wintery warm turmeric milk and Arak cocktail, made with coconut milk, fresh turmeric root and Arak, an anise flavored liquor. Dare I claim this a healthy-ish cocktail!
What Is Turmeric Milk – Golden Milk?
Turmeric milk, or golden milk as it is often called, finds its ancient roots in Ayurveda practices; a natural approach to medicine or preventative health practices.
Golden milk, or tea as it is also known, is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties from the turmeric root.
Plant milk, preferably coconut, with fresh turmeric root (also preferably), simmered to extract the incredibly rich health properties from the turmeric, makes for this quick and healthy golden milk drink.
Turmeric For Health
If ever there was an uglier root (which to me looks like grubs), with more beautiful health benefits, I have not yet encountered it!
While turmeric does belong to the ginger family and has a specific bite of its own in flavor, the health benefits far exceed its cousin.
It is said to be the most effective nutritional supplement in existence, so why not make a healthyish cocktail out of it!
Turmeric is known for being fat soluble, which means its health properties become most effective when taken with something fatty, which is why I have chosen to use coconut milk instead of animal milk.
While turmeric naturally aids in lowering levels of inflammation in the body, so does coconut milk. Besides, the flavors of turmeric and coconut are really delicious together.
Coconut Milk For Health
While living in Brazil, is was a daily occurrence to stop at any number of corner-street venders with a little cart loaded with fresh coconuts.
They would hack off the top, put a straw into the coconut and always hand you the sharp piece they hacked off, to scoop out the white pulp after drinking the coconut water.
Both the coconut water and the fatty white pulp are loaded with flavor, health benefits.
My dear Chinese friend, who also happens to be a long time practicing urologist and holistic health research doctor, swears by coconut. He says to ingest it daily as well as use its oil internally for women’s private parts.
While today, I am only interested in telling you about this fabulous cocktail I created, I do intend to revisit more information on the topic above.
Winter Warm Cocktails
Cocktails are most often thought of to be cold, refreshing and served with ice. But when winter arrives and the chill sets into our bones, who wants to sip on ice!
A warm cocktail is truly a slow sip and really does allow our tastebuds to enjoy more of the flavor of the cocktail than when that same drink might be served cold.
Arak and Ouzo are a clear liquor and yet when a little water is added to either, they turn this milky white, which only adds to the creamy texture of the already creamy coconut milk.
‘Mocktails’ are a great way to include everyone in sipping something special you have made for yourself.
While Arak, Ouzo or Pernod, with their intense anise flavor is used in this cocktail, a mocktail can also be made by simmering anise seeds in the milk and turmeric, let it steep a moment, strain and serve.
Turmeric Root Instead Of Turmeric Powder
These days, turmeric root is about as easy to find in a grocery store as ginger roots. I can’t stress enough the importance of using the real turmeric root and not the powder, especially if you are in want of its health benefits.
When I find turmeric root in the store, I usually will buy a bag full, peel, chop and freeze them right away. This way I have as fresh as possible when I need it.
When herbs and spices have been dried, many of the natural oils, or health properties have been lost even though the flavor often intensifies.
You can see the distinct difference in color when looking at fresh turmeric root, frozen or dried. You choose!
Winter Gatherings
It was a sunny November day when I created this cocktail. It was 70 degrees yesterday and 48 today!
Leaves have been falling. An evening fire in the fireplace has been in place for a month. Friends were stopping over for a visit and I wanted to serve them something different.
Everyone loved the refreshing flavor of anise in the liquor, the warmth of the hot milk and the assurance that the turmeric was doing more good for them than any harm the alcohol might be doing. We All Liked That!
How To Make Winter Warm Turmeric Milk Cocktail
Empty the required amount of coconut milk into a sauce pan. Peel and rough chop a small piece of turmeric root. Bring to a low boil, turn down to a subtle simmer and let it simmer for 5-minutes with a lid on.
Turn off the stove, add honey (or your preferred sweetener), stirring to dissolve the honey into the milk.
Transfer to a thermos to keep warm or serve immediately. Pour the Arak into the cup first, and top it off with the warm, sweet turmeric milk.
If making a mocktail, place 1/4 teaspoon of anise seeds into the milk when simmering. Follow the same as above, leaving out the liquor when serving.
This cocktail is also scrumptious served cold, but we will revisit that when summer returns!
Ingredients Needed
- Coconut Milk
- Turmeric root
- Honey
- Arak or Ouzo
Equipment Needed
- Shot glass
- Small sauce pan
- Measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Whisk
- Stovetop or burner
Winter Warm Turmeric Milk Cocktail
Course: DrinksCuisine: MediterraneanDifficulty: Easy2
servingsWarm turmeric milk, and Arak cocktail, made with coconut milk, sweetened with honey, fresh turmeric root, and Arak, an anise flavored liquor.
Ingredients
Coconut milk – 2 cups, full fat preferably
Turmeric root – 1 piece about an inch in size
Honey – 2 teaspoons
Arak – 2 shots, 1 per serving
Directions
- Place the coconut milk into a saucepan. Peel and rough chop the turmeric root and add that to the milk.
- Bring to a low boil, turn down to a slow simmer, lid on and let it simmer for 5-minutes.
- Turn off the milk, whisk in the honey until a frothy foam appears on top.
- Pour 1-shot of Arak into each cup. Pour the frothy milk on top and serve.
