How to Make Moon Milk: Recipes, Ingredients & More

We’re over the moon for this ancient beverage that’s making a 21st century splash. Spoiler alert: it’s warmed milk, but this sip is anything but boring. These days, there’s a lot you can do to customize, enhance, and spice up your go-to evening drink.

What Is Moon Milk?

Moon milk sounds celestial, but it’s an age-old sleep remedy used in Ayurvedic medicine. The school of thought is because milk contains the amino acid L-Tryptophan, it may help send you off into the land of sweet dreams. (Incidentally, this is the same ingredient in turkey, which is why people often say they’re tired after Thanksgiving dinner.) But according to clinical psychologist Michael J. Breus, Ph.D, you’d have to drink about a gallon of warm milk to make a real impact. His theory? It’s not necessarily about what’s in the milk, but about the comfort you feel when drinking it. And when you’re relaxed, it’s a lot easier to fall asleep.

How to Make Moon Milk

It might not be a guaranteed way to sleep better, but that doesn’t mean this drink isn’t worthy of your nightcap. It’s pretty much a choose-your-own-adventure situation when it comes to flavors, superfoods, and nutrients, so let’s get started.

The Milk

A mug of moon milk starts with … milk. But you don’t have to keep things traditional. Here are some fresh options, non-dairy milks included.

• Cow’s Milk: For a classic sip, pick cow’s milk. An organic, cream top variety will lend added richness and flavor.
• Coconut Milk: Pick this option for a creamy, vegan vibe. Rich coconut milk has a silky texture that will go down easy, plus there’s 2g protein per serving.
• Almond Milk: Almond milk lends a nutty flavor and it’ll be extra luscious if you make your own.
• Cashew Milk: Switch up your nut milk and opt for cashews. Its neutral flavor won’t upstage other spices you might add.

The Spices

Spice things up with these moon milk-enhancing flavors that’ll comfort your tummy and help you relax the day away.

• Nutmeg: When it comes to nutmeg, a little goes a long way. When used sparingly, it adds just the right spice note without being overwhelming.
• Cinnamon: Probably the most popular addition, cinnamon is a spice rack darling for good reason—its strong yet sweet flavor gives a complex aroma to drinks.
• Cardamom: Highly aromatic and woody, cardamom adds pungent notes to your moon milk creations, and pairs beautifully with spice pals like cinnamon and nutmeg.
• Allspice: This spice is made from the dried berries of a plant called pimenta dioica, and its flavor is reminiscent of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and pepper, which is why it’s often used in seasonal baking favorites.

Adaptogens

Adaptogens are a special class of plants (mostly herbs, though there are some exceptions) that, according to proponents, have a normalizing effect on the body. While that may sound vague, it’s precisely what makes them unique—they don’t serve a single function. The belief is that adaptogens may be able to adapt to whatever the body is dealing with (stress, anxiety, fatigue), and help alleviate or lessen the symptoms.

• Ashwagandha: Central to Ayurveda, ashwagandha has shown promise as a stress relief aid. Just pour the capsule into the blender and froth it up with your other ingredients.
• Holy Basil: Considered sacred in India, studies suggest this herb may help promote a healthier response to stress. It’s often included in soothing tea blends (perfect for the base of a latte).
• Rhodiola: Commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, rhodiola may support overall stress management.

Superfoods

Sometimes being trendy is a good thing. Supercharge your moon milk with an extra boost of one of these superfoods!

• Blue majik powder: Feel like a mermaid with a spoonful of blue algae powder, made from the blue-green algae, spirulina.
• Ginger: Fresh ginger root is knobby and covered in a tough outer layer, but inside, this stuff is potent! Its spicy-sweet flavor can be overwhelming on its own so mellow it out using other ingredients like honey, turmeric, cinnamon, and more.
• Pomegranate: This bright pink fruit has represented fertility, health, and eternal life in many ancient religions. For a quick addition, skip removing seeds and just add a scoop of pomegranate powder to your blender.
• Spirulina: Being blue (see above) isn’t the only way to get a dose of organic spirulina in your evening drink. Blend it up with other ingredients, or just include a light dusting right on top.
• Turmeric: Turmeric is a bright orange root native to Southeast Asia that’s been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, as a quintessential spice in Indian cooking, and even as a natural fabric dye. For turmeric golden milk, just stir in a dash of this vibrant spice with a pinch of cinnamon and a swirl of honey. Perfection! Or, steep a tea bag in water before blending it with your favorite milk.

Moon Milk and Latte Recipes

Whether you call it golden milk, moon milk, or a latte, this warming beverage always has a few things in common.

Hibiscus Rose Moon Milk

Ease into your evening with this floral brew. Warm macadamia milk gets blended with soothing hibiscus and rose hip tea, honey, ginger, plus ashwagandha powder for a frothy sip that’s perfect for including in a pre-bedtime ritual.

Magnesium Moon Milk

Counting sheep every night? Sip on this vegan moon milk that blends cardamom and cinnamon with coconut milk, plus a dose of orange-flavored magnesium—an essential element used by nearly every component of the body.

Lavender Wellness Latte

Get your daily dose of superfoods with a powder that delivers probiotics, enzymes, and added nutrients. Plus, the easy-to-make lavender syrup can be made in advance. If you’re sipping at night, opt for decaf coffee.

Rose Latte

This latte might make you blush! It’s tinted with beet root powder (so pretty!) that delivers a dose of extra nutrients and is scented with rose tea. A frothy coconut and almond milk creamer gives it a dairy-free finish.

Chamomile and Honey Latte

Chamomile has a reputation for being a comfort beverage, and it doesn’t disappoint when paired with honey and almond milk. We think it’s the perfect way to relax!

Fermented Turmeric Latte

For this latte, we used a fermented turmeric that’s infused with probiotics, helping make it even easier to digest. Just add a scoop to this blended drink for a spiced start (or end) to the day.

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte

This steamy latte is a seasonal sip that starts with your favorite coffee. (Again, choose decaf for a pre-sleep drink!) The brew is whisked with pumpkin purée, spices, and a touch of syrup for sweetness. Top off this dairy-free drink with a dollop of coconut cream.

Honey Turmeric Pumpkin Latte

Warm spices, healthy fats, honey, and coconut milk converge for a pumpkin spice experience you’ll love to make in the cooler months.

Turmeric Tea Latte

Tea drinkers will love the combo of potent ginger, black pepper, and turmeric to enjoy sans caffeine. Inspired by Ayurvedic medicine, it makes use of liver-cleansing dandelion root tea to rejuvenate the body.