Shari Williams’ Golden Milk Recipe for Balance & Vitality

Winter invites us to slow down, warm up & nurture ourselves from the inside out. At PAAVANI Ayurveda, we love celebrating the teachers & traditions that inspire this kind of mindful nourishment. One of our favorite hometown yoga teachers, Shari Williams, embodies this philosophy through her teachings & daily rituals—especially her delicious golden milk recipe.

Shari is a seasoned yoga teacher with over 500 hours of credentials, as well as a certified international yoga therapist. Her deep understanding of the body, combined with decades of practice, fuels her passion for guiding students through yoga with alignment, curiosity & compassion. Her classes are inspired by Yoga Tune Up®, Anusara, Sri Vidya Tantra & Iyengar, blending physical precision with spiritual depth.

Co-founder of PAAVANI Ayurveda, Trudy Collings, trained alongside Shari during several restorative yoga immersions. During one of those trainings, Shari shared her personal golden milk recipe—a rich, comforting elixir that supports health, balance & vitality. It was so exquisite that we knew we had to pass it along to you.

What Is Golden Milk?

Golden milk—also known as haldi doodh in Sanskrit—is an ancient Ayurvedic beverage celebrated for its powerful healing properties. Traditionally made with milk, turmeric, ginger & other warming spices, this drink has been used for centuries to:

• strengthen immunity & reduce inflammation

• promote radiant skin

• aid digestion & soothe the gut

• calm the mind before sleep

• ease joint pain & stiffness

In Ayurveda, golden milk is considered a rasayana, or rejuvenating tonic, that nourishes all seven tissues (dhatus). It balances vata by grounding the nervous system, cools excess pitta, & gently stimulates sluggish kapha. With each sip, you bring warmth, comfort & balance into your being.

The Healing Power of Turmeric

At the heart of any golden milk recipe lies turmeric, a golden root known as haridra in Ayurveda. Turmeric contains curcumin, a potent antioxidant & anti-inflammatory compound that supports joint health, liver function & immune resilience.

When combined with black pepper or healthy fats—such as ghee or coconut milk—turmeric’s bioavailability increases dramatically, allowing your body to absorb its healing compounds more effectively. This is why Ayurvedic golden milk recipes often include these key ingredients.

Shari’s Tantalizing Golden Milk Recipe

Here’s Shari’s go-to golden milk recipe, which she drinks daily to keep her body grounded, her mind clear & her spirit glowing:

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups unsweetened almond milk (Shari loves Califia brand)

• ½ cup full-fat coconut milk (from a can)

• 2 dates (pitted & sliced)

• 1–1 ½ inch piece fresh turmeric (sliced)

• 1–1 ½ inch piece fresh ginger (sliced)

• 1 tsp powdered turmeric

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• ½ tsp vanilla bean or extract

• ¼–½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp cardamom powder

• ½–1 tsp ghee

• Maple syrup or honey (optional, to taste)

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients into a blender or Vitamix.

2. Blend for at least 30 seconds until smooth & frothy.

3. Pour into a saucepan & gently heat on the stove for a warming, grounding beverage.

4. Sip mindfully & feel your whole being soften with each golden swirl.

This golden milk recipe is perfect for chilly evenings or anytime your body craves warmth & nourishment.

Why Your Body Loves Golden Milk

From an Ayurvedic perspective, golden milk works on both the physical & energetic levels. Its blend of spices ignites agni, or digestive fire, which helps the body assimilate nutrients more efficiently. At the same time, it soothes the manovaha srotas—the mental channels—calming the mind & easing emotional stress.

Here’s how its key ingredients support your wellness:

• turmeric: detoxifies the liver, supports immunity & reduces inflammation

• ginger: stimulates digestion & circulation while easing nausea

• cinnamon: regulates blood sugar & enhances metabolism

• cardamom: cools excess pitta & refreshes the breath

• ghee: lubricates joints & nourishes the nervous system

• coconut milk: hydrates & balances vata with its creamy, cooling nature

Together, these ingredients form a synergistic elixir that promotes balance through every dosha.

Ayurvedic Tips for Drinking Golden Milk

To receive the full benefit of this golden milk recipe, consider the following Ayurvedic recommendations:

• best time to drink: in the evening, 1–2 hours after dinner, to calm the mind before rest

• for vata: add extra ghee or a pinch of nutmeg for deep nourishment & relaxation

• for pitta: use coconut milk as the base & minimize ginger if prone to heat

• for kapha: add a pinch of black pepper or cayenne to stimulate metabolism

• ritualize it: light a candle, play soft music & sip slowly as an act of self-love

These small touches transform your drink from a recipe into a ritual.