Vegan Golden milk, a creamy, lightly sweetened beverage is warming and satisfying, but each sip packs a long list of healthy benefits. This post is sponsored by Healthyish Foods, but all opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that support With The Grains. 

As if a slanket is not a ridiculous enough item (that’s a blanket with sleeves, in case you were wondering), we happen to own a slanket for two. It’s an endlessly wide blanket with not one but two sets of sleeves. It’s not exactly the quaint, romantic vision of cozying in front of a crackling fire with the one you love. It’s a ridiculously, super-sized, each-t0-his/her-own corner-0f-the-couch type of affair that feels very American.

I bought our buffalo plaid number mostly as a joke and a nod to our affinity for the “occasional” couch day- a time to remain planted on the couch, indulge in movies that range from so-bad-they’re-good to critically-acclaimed-good. With the temperatures as low as they have been and the snow piles as high as they have been, we’ve been shuffling more and more activities to the couch. My work days have been muffled under a sea of slanket, with a constant need for something warm to hold and to sip. 

While coffee is a very ritualistic part of my day, this winter has me turning to warming, coffee alternatives, both for the sake of variety, the health benefits and because I often want something warm to sip way past the caffeine window. That’s where Golden Milk comes into play. By now, you’ve surely stained your fingers yellow, read of the many health benefits of turmeric and probably have sampled some variation of this drink. 

However, one tidbit I learned recently, thanks to my friend Lindsey Smith’s book Eat Your Feelings, is turmeric is an anti-depressant, so not only will this Vegan Golden Milk warm and comfort you, but it might help you stave off the winter doldrums. Or, if you’re like me and find happiness in a slanket-buried hibernation, then you’re doubly set. 

But why stop there? If you’re a Healthyish Foods subscriber, adding some of the same ingredients from my Vegan Golden Milk recipe to your organic Mellow Yellow Cake Mix yields an aromatic cake with citrusy, spicy notes and a warm, golden hue. Folding wild blueberries into each bite adds an extra energizing boost through whole foods. Sweet enough on their own, these cakes are perfect for tea time, nay Vegan Golden Milk time, breakfast or a dessert. Check out my full cake recipe on the Healthyish Foods blog.  

To make this Vegan Golden Milk, I use the full-fat, creamy coconut milk you find in a can in the ethnic foods aisle (and occasionally in the baking section). Don’t toss the extra creamy milk that separates to the top. That’s what makes this version so rich and satisfying. Since the coconut milk is richer in good fats, you’ll only need a small mug, and it’s best to sip it slowly.

Another added bonus to this recipe? As the spices simmer on your stove, your whole home will take on a warm, winter fragrance reminiscent of chai. For an extra frothy, latte-like version, blend your serving in a Magic Bullet before serving, and sprinkled with raw cacao, organic pumpkin spice mix or cinnamon. 

If you are looking for something warm with a caffeine boost, try my Bulletproof Coffee or Chai Tea Concentrate. Both will pair equally well with a heaping mound of slanket. 

Cheers,

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Vegan Golden Milk

Yield: ~4 servings

Ingredients

2 15-ounce cans organic unsweetened coconut milk (and the thick coconut cream)
16 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
2 3-inch cinnamon sticks, lightly crushed
1 1-inch piece ginger, peeled, finely grated
1 Tablespoon black peppercorns
1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
Maple syrup or honey (optional)

Directions

Bring coconut milk, cardamom, cinnamon sticks, ginger, pepper, and turmeric to a simmer in a large saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat, cover, and let infuse 20 minutes. Strain and serve. Sweeten according to taste. Store leftovers in the refrigerator and enjoy cold or reheated.

Enjoy!