This comforting Cardamom Milk recipe is perfect for chilly evenings or when you need a moment of calm. Sweetened with honey and infused with fragrant cardamom and cinnamon, this warm spiced milk is easy to make and customizable--substitute your favorite oat or almond milk for a dairy-free alternative.
Gently crush cardamom pods to expose seeds (a mortar and pestle or a rolling pin both work well).
In a small saucepan, combine milk, cinnamon stick, cardamom, and honey (to taste). Gently warm over medium heat, just until bubbles begin to form around the edge of the pan. It's important not to boil or overheat your milk, so it doesn't get an unappealing "cooked" taste.
Remove from heat and let steep 10-30 minutes, depending on how strongly-flavored you like your milk.
Strain milk through a fine-mesh sieve and discard cardamom pods. Return to saucepan and gently rewarm, if desired. Serve with a cinnamon stick. Leftover milk can be stored in the refrigerator in a tightly-covered container and rewarmed as needed.
Microwave Alternative
Don't feel like using the stove? Add 1 cup of milk to a large mug (it should be about ⅔ full), add about ½ tablespoon honey, and a small pinch each of ground cardamom and cinnamon (adjusting both sweetness and spices to taste). Microwave on high for about 45 seconds, stirring halfway through, until warmed. Strain, if desired, and enjoy.
Notes
Milk: I use whole or 2%. Low-fat or fat free milk can be used, but won't be as creamy. For a non-dairy alternative, substitute oat milk or almond milk. Cardamom: This spice can easily overpower a dish if used with too heavy a hand. When using ground cardamom in recipes like these, I tend to think of it in terms of "pinches" rather than teaspoonfuls. Assess how fragrant your whole spices are and start on the lower end for your first batch of milk. It's better to be conservative and add additional to taste than to have to try to dull an overly-spiced recipe.For Frothy Milk: Strained, infused milk is also delicious when prepared in a milk frother or French Press according to your manufacturer's instructions.See the Variations and Substitutions section in the article above for more ways to customize this recipe.