Almonds, saffron, and cardamom come together to create a soothing classic loved across India. For health-conscious readers, a well-made badam milk recipe offers clean energy, quality fats, and comforting flavor without fuss. Serve hot for a cozy nightcap or chill for a refreshing pick-me-up. Either way, the drink fits neatly into a roster of healthy milk drinks that feel indulgent while staying mindful.

What is Badam Doodh?
Badam doodh (almond-flavored milk) blends a smooth almond paste into simmered milk scented with cardamom and saffron. The texture sits lighter than kheer yet richer than plain milk, striking a sweet spot for breakfast, post-workout recovery, fasting days, or a calm dessert replacement. With a few pantry staples and a blender, anyone can prepare a consistent, restaurant-style result at home.
Category |
Details |
Servings |
2 tall glasses (about 400–450 ml total) |
Prep time |
10–20 minutes (includes soaking shortcut) |
Cook time |
8–10 minutes |
Skill level |
Easy |
Flavor profile |
Nutty, gently sweet, floral spice notes |
Best seasons |
All year; chilled in summer, warm in winter |
Badam Milk Recipe Ingredients
Use fresh, good-quality ingredients; flavor clarity depends on them.
- Almonds (badam): 20–25 whole (about 35–40 g).
- Milk: 2 cups / 500 ml (full-fat for creaminess; toned works too).
- Cardamom: 2–3 green pods, seeds only, lightly crushed.
- Saffron: 10–12 strands, soaked in 1 tbsp warm milk.
- Sweetener: 2–3 tbsp sugar, or jaggery, coconut sugar, date paste, or stevia/monk fruit for a Badam milk recipe without sugar.
- Salt: a tiny pinch to round flavors (optional).
- Garnish: slivered almonds/pistachios, rose petals (optional)
Swaps for dietary needs: lactose-free milk, oat milk, or homemade almond milk (see “How to make almond milk”).
How to Prepare Badam Milk: Step-by-Step
High-level plan: soak, peel, grind, simmer, infuse, and finish.
- Soak almonds: Cover almonds with hot water for 10 minutes (or room-temperature water for 3–4 hours). Drain.
- Peel: Press each almond; the skin slips off easily. Peeling gives a smooth paste and a cleaner color.
- Grind the paste: Add peeled almonds, cardamom seeds, and 3–4 tbsp warm boiled milk to a blender. Grind to a fine, spoon-coating paste. A slightly coarse grind works if a bit of texture is welcome.
- Simmer the milk: Warm the remaining milk in a saucepan over medium heat until steaming, then maintain a gentle simmer. Stir in saffron milk and sweetener of choice.
- Blend in almond paste: Whisk in the paste gradually to avoid lumps. Keep heat low and cook 1–2 minutes. Vigorous boiling can dull aroma and thicken unevenly, so keep it gentle.
- Taste and adjust: Add a pinch of salt if using. Balance sweetness and cardamom to preference.
- Serve: Ladle into cups for a hot version, or cool to room temperature, chill for 2–3 hours, and serve in tall glasses. Garnish with slivered nuts.
- That’s how to prepare badam milk in a clean, reliable workflow. For any kitchen rhythm the steps stay the same and scale easily.
Troubleshooting
Curdled texture after sweetening: Jaggery or acidic additions can shock hot milk. Cool the pot for 2–3 minutes, then stir in.
Gritty mouthfeel: Paste wasn’t fine enough. Blend longer with an extra splash of warm milk, then strain.
Too thick: Whisk in hot milk to loosen; simmer briefly to re-marry flavors.
Too thin: Return to a low simmer for a minute, or add a teaspoon of extra paste and whisk well.
How to Make Cold Badam Milk
If you’re craving a cooler sip, follow the core recipe.
- Cool the pot quickly over an ice bath, stirring to prevent a skin.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Strain for an ultra-smooth texture (optional).
- Serve with ice cubes or crushed ice.
Those steps create a café-style Cold Badam milk recipe that carries full aroma without feeling heavy. For a party jug, multiply quantities and keep chilled.
Badam Shake / Badam Milk Shake (Dessert-Lean)
Want a dessert-forward twist while staying within reasonable macros? Blend chilled badam milk with 1 frozen banana or a scoop of vanilla ice cream (treat day), a few ice cubes for body, a touch of rose water or gulkand for a festival vibe.
Pour into a tall glass and garnish with pistachios. That’s a quick badam shake or badam milk shake.
How to Make Almond Milk (Base for Dairy-Free)
For a fully plant-based base, create fresh almond milk first.
- Soak 1 cup almonds overnight; peel.
- Blend with 3–4 cups filtered water until milky.
- Strain through a nut-milk bag or fine cloth.
- Store refrigerated for 2–3 days.
Now you have a neutral canvas. Warm gently with cardamom, saffron, and a sweetener of choice. That’s a dairy-free Healthy badam milk recipe built on clean almonds and no additives.
Special Badam Milk: Flavour Upgrades
- Kesar-forward: Bloom extra saffron in warm milk for deeper color and aroma.
- Rose-cardamom: ½ tsp rose water at the end for a floral whisper.
- Kesar pista: Add crushed pistachios along with almond paste for a green-gold finish.
- Golden badam milk: ⅛ tsp turmeric adds warm hue and a gentle earthy note.
- Protein bump: Stir in unflavored whey or almond protein after cooling slightly for gym days.
Each option turns a regular cup into special badam milk without complicating the method.
Badam Milk Powder Recipe (Instant Mix)
Short on time? Keep a jar ready.
You’ll need
- 1 cup almonds (blanched and fully dried).
- ¼ cup sugar or coconut sugar (adjust to taste).
- 10–12 saffron strands.
- Seeds from 6–8 cardamom pods.
- 2 tbsp pistachios (optional).
Method
- Dry-roast almonds on low heat for 3–4 minutes; cool completely.
- Pulse almonds with cardamom and saffron in a grinder; avoid long runs that release excess oil.
- Add sugar and pistachios; pulse to a fine, free-flowing powder.
- Store airtight in a cool, dark cabinet for 4–6 weeks, or refrigerate up to 3 months.
To serve: Warm 1 cup milk, stir in 1–2 tbsp powder, simmer 1 minute, and enjoy. An instant Badam milk powder Recipe like this supports busy schedules without flavor compromise.
How to Make Badam Milk at Home All Year
Summer: Prepare at night, chill, and pour in the morning.
Monsoon: Keep spice notes brighter—freshly ground cardamom makes a difference.
Winter: Serve hot with extra saffron and a small knob of khoya for richness.
Sugar-Free and Low-Sugar Options
For a Badam milk recipe without sugar, pick one of the following:
Dates: Soak 3–4 soft Medjool dates in hot water, blend with the almond paste.
Stevia/monk fruit: Add a few drops or a measured spoon after turning off the flame to avoid aftertaste.
Jaggery syrup: Dissolve jaggery in warm milk off the heat, then stir into the pot once the temperature drops slightly; that prevents graininess.
These choices narrow the glycemic load while keeping rounded sweetness.
How to Make Badam Milk: Pro Tips
- Peeling matters: Skins can mute color and add grit; peel for silkiness.
- Paste texture: Aim for a smooth, spoon-coating paste; add a splash of warm milk to move the blades.
- Gentle heat: Keep to a soft simmer after adding paste to protect saffron and cardamom notes.
- Add sweetener at the right time: Jaggery goes in after the flame is off or very low; sugar can simmer briefly.
- Prevent skin on milk: Stir frequently or cover briefly between stirs.
- Batching: Double the recipe, chill half for the next day.
Storage, Serving, and Make-Ahead
- Refrigeration: Up to 48 hours in a sealed bottle or jar. Shake before pouring; natural settling occurs.
- Freezing: Pour into popsicle molds for creamy saffron-almond pops—fun for kids and hot afternoons.
- Reheating: Warm on low heat; avoid boiling to safeguard aroma.
- Garnish ideas: Slivered nuts, a pinch of saffron, micro-grated nutmeg, or crushed dried rose petals.
Light Nutrition Snapshot (per 200 ml serving, dairy-based; approximate)
Nutrient |
Per Serving (Approx.) |
Energy |
~220–260 kcal |
Protein |
~9–11 g |
Fat |
~11–13 g |
Carbohydrates |
~20–24 g |
Calcium |
Substantial contribution from milk |
Vitamin E |
Meaningful input from almonds |
Numbers vary by milk type and sweetener. For a leaner glass, use toned milk and a lighter sweetener hand.
Popular Variations
- Kesaria badam milk: Extra saffron and a teaspoon of condensed milk for dessert nights.
- Vegan version: Almond milk base, maple syrup, and cardamom—no dairy required.
- Fitness-leaning: Lactose-free milk, stevia, and a measured scoop of unflavored protein after cooling slightly.
- Children’s favorite: Blend chilled badam milk with a few ice cubes into a gentle badam shake.
Related -
- Kesar Doodh Recipe: A Traditional Saffron Milk Drink
- Badam Pak Recipe: Traditional Almond Sweet