--- title: "Saffron Milk Recipe (Kesar Doodh)" url: https://www.whiskaffair.com/saffron-milk-with-dry-fruits/ date: 2025-09-16 modified: 2026-01-25 lang: en author: "Neha Mathur" description: "Saffron Milk (Kesar Doodh) is a traditional Indian beverage where milk is flavored with saffron. Lots of dried nuts and fruits are added to give it a nice crunch. Make it at home using my easy recipe." categories: - "Indian" - "Indian Beverages" - "Indian Gluten Free" - "Janmashtami" - "Navratri" - "Vrat Recipes" image: https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Saffron-Milk-2-3.jpg word_count: 911 --- # Saffron Milk Recipe (Kesar Doodh) **Saffron Milk (Kesar Doodh)** is a traditional Indian beverage where milk is flavored with saffron. Lots of dried nuts and fruits are added to give it a nice crunch. Make it at home using my easy recipe. Here are more milk-based drinks - [Thandai](https://www.whiskaffair.com/thandai-recipe/), [Badam Milk](https://www.whiskaffair.com/kesar-badam-milk-saffron-almond-milk/), [Besan Doodh](https://www.whiskaffair.com/besan-doodh-recipe/), [Carrot Milk](https://www.whiskaffair.com/carrot-milk-recipe/), and [Haldi Doodh](https://www.whiskaffair.com/turmeric-milk-recipe/). ![Saffron milk served in a glass.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Saffron-Milk-2-1-1200x1800.jpg) ## About Saffron Milk **Saffron Milk (Kesar Doodh)** is milk flavored with strands of saffron. Dried fruits and nuts are added for a nice crunch. It has a delicious taste, and this drink comes together in **under 20 minutes **using simple ingredients. Indian Kesar Milk can be served **piping hot in winter or chilled in summer**. It is a great drink to make for special occasions and festivals like Diwali and Holi. Kesar Wala Doodh is gluten-free, vegetarian, and can easily be made vegan. Just like [saffron tea](https://www.whiskaffair.com/saffron-tea-recipe/), this saffron milk recipe is a classic. ## Ingredients ![Saffron milk ingredients.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Saffron-Milk-Ingredients_.jpeg) **Saffron** is also called kesar, kungumapoo (Tamil), zaafran, or jafron. To make this drink, use the best-quality saffron threads. Saffron is the most expensive spice, and it is often adulterated with cheaper substitutes. So make sure to buy it from a trusted source only. If you live in the US, Trader Joe's saffron is good. I used to buy baby brand saffron in India. **Tip: **I sometimes lightly roast saffron strands before adding them to milk for a more profound flavor. **Milk** - I like to use whole milk (full-fat milk) as it makes my drink rich and creamy. But you can choose to use skim or low-fat milk, too. To make vegan saffron milk, replace dairy milk with plant-based milk, such as almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, or coconut milk. **Sugar** - You can replace sugar with honey or any other sweetener. You can also use sugar-free substitutes like stevia or monk fruit. **Dried Nuts and Fruits **- Adding dried nuts and fruits to this recipe is optional. They add a nice crunch to the drink. Instead of slicing, you can also powder the nuts. I have used almonds, cashew nuts, pistachios, chironji, and dates. You can also use hazelnuts, pinenuts, or other nuts and fruits. **White** **Poppy Seeds** **(Khus Khus)** taste great in this drink. However, if you can't access them, skip them. You can add a little cardamom powder or crushed green cardamom pods for added flavor. ## How To Make Kesar Milk Soak 25-30 saffron strands in 2-3 tbsp of milk for 2 hours. Refrigerate the bowl while the saffron is soaking. ![Saffron soaked in milk.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Saffron-Milk-Step-1_.jpg) Heat 1 liter of whole milk (full-fat milk) in a pan over medium flame. Stir frequently to prevent the milk at the bottom of the pan from scorching. ![Milk heating in a pan.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Saffron-Milk-Step-2.jpg) Add the following ingredients once the milk comes to a boil. Stir well. - saffron soaked in milk - 10-12 almonds (slivered) - 10-12 cashew nuts (slivered) - 10-12 pistachios (slivered) - 1 tsp white poppy seeds - 1 tsp chironji - 2-3 seedless dates (chopped) ![Saffron soaked in milk, nuts, fruits and seeds added to the pan.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Saffron-Milk-Step-3.jpg) ![Milk stirred well.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Saffron-Milk-Step-4.jpg) Reduce the heat to low. Cook the milk for 10-12 minutes, stirring frequently. Add 4 tsp sugar and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. Check for sugar and add more if needed. Remove the pan from the heat. Serve the milk hot or chill it for 3-4 hours before serving. Garnish with slivered nuts and dried rose petals. ![Ready saffron milk.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Saffron-Milk-Step-5.jpg) ## Pro Tips By Neha Adding grated khoya (reduced milk solids, mawa) to this kesar milk can make it richer. Adding a little bit of **ginger powder, black pepper powder, and clove powder **also makes this milk perfect to drink in winter. This recipe is very **adaptable. **You can adapt it to your liking and preferences. Add the nuts and fruits you like and skip the ones you don't. Choose the sweetener and its quantity as per your liking. If you're using vegan milk to make it, heat it only on low heat until it comes to a gentle simmer. 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Make it at home using my easy recipe. Prep Time5 minutes minsCook Time15 minutes minsSoaking Time2 hours hrsTotal Time2 hours hrs 20 minutes mins Course: BeverageCuisine: IndianDiet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian Servings: 4 people Calories: 88kcal Author: [Neha Mathur](https://www.whiskaffair.com/about-me/) ### Ingredients 1 litre whole milk (full-fat milk)- 25-30 strands saffron- 10-12 almonds slivered- 10-12 cashew nuts slivered- 10-12 pistachios slivered- 1 teaspoon white poppy seeds skip if they are not available- 1 teaspoon chironji- 2-3 seedless dates chopped- 4 teaspoons sugar or to tasteUS Customary - Metric ### Instructions - Soak saffron strands in 2-3 tablespoons of milk for 2 hours. Refrigerate the bowl while the saffron is soaking.- Heat milk in a pan over medium heat. Stir frequently to avoid scorching the milk at the bottom of the pan.- Once the milk comes to a boil, add the saffron soaked in milk, almonds, cashew nuts, pistachios, poppy seeds, chironji, and dates, and stir well.- Reduce the heat to low.- Cook the milk for 10-12 minutes, stirring frequently.- Add sugar and cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.- Check for sugar and add more if needed.- Remove the pan from the heat. Serve the milk hot or chill it for 3-4 hours before serving. Garnish with slivered nuts and dried rose petals. ### Video ### Notes You can replace sugar with honey or any other sweetener of your choice. You can also use sugar-free substitutes like stevia or monk fruit. This recipe is very adaptable. You can adapt it to your liking and preferences. Add the nuts and fruits you like and skip the ones you don’t. Choose the sweetener and its quantity as per your liking. ### Nutrition Calories: 88kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 182mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 44IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg