Saffron Almond Milk (Kesar Badam Doodh) Recipe
Saffron Almond Milk, also known as Kesar Badam Doodh, is a warm, aromatic Indian beverage made with almond milk infused with fragrant saffron, cardamom, and sweetened with honey. This comforting drink is perfect for nourishing the body and soothing the senses, with the health benefits of almonds combined with the exotic flavor of saffron and cardamom.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Almond Milk Mixture
- 4 cups almond milk (or any other variety)
- 1 Tbsp almonds
- 2 cardamom pods, whole
- 1 Tbsp honey
Saffron Infusion
- Large pinch of Rumi saffron
- 3 Tbsp almond milk (from the 4 cups, reserved for infusion)
Instructions
- Soak and Peel Almonds: Soak 1 tablespoon of almonds in hot water for 20 minutes to soften the skins. After soaking, remove the almonds from the water and carefully slip off the peels using your fingers.
- Grind Almonds into Paste: Using a mortar and pestle, roughly grind the peeled almonds into a coarse paste to release their flavor and texture.
- Prepare Saffron Infusion: In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of almond milk with a large pinch of Rumi saffron strands. Let this mixture steep for about 3 minutes to extract the saffron’s rich color and aroma.
- Heat Almond Milk: Pour 4 cups of almond milk into a saucepan and warm it over medium heat for approximately 10 minutes until heated through but not boiling.
- Add Flavorings: Add the 2 whole cardamom pods, 2 tablespoons of the almond paste, 1 tablespoon of honey, and the saffron-infused almond milk into the warmed saucepan.
- Simmer and Stir: Allow the mixture to simmer gently while stirring continuously for 5 minutes to blend the flavors and thicken the milk slightly.
- Serve Warm: Remove the cardamom pods, pour the saffron almond milk into cups, and serve immediately warm for the best taste and comforting effect.
Notes
- Use good quality Rumi saffron to enhance the aroma and color of the drink.
- Adjust honey quantity to taste for sweetness preference.
- For creamier texture, blend the almond paste into the warm milk instead of just stirring.
- This drink can be served cold by refrigerating after simmering and serving chilled.
- Almond milk can be substituted with other plant-based milks if preferred.
Keywords: Saffron almond milk, Kesar Badam Doodh, Indian warm drink, almond milk recipe, saffron beverage, cardamom drink