The Vanilla Collagen Golden Latte (Hot or Iced, Your Call)

Some drinks are just nice to hold. A golden latte is one of them: warm, fragrant, a little spicy and so bright yellow it practically glows in the mug. Ours gets an extra layer of creamy vanilla from Brazen Grass-Fed Collagen Creamer, and it works just as well iced when the weather says no to hot drinks.

A little golden history

Long before “golden milk” showed up on café menus, turmeric milk was a home staple in India, where it’s called haldi doodh (haldi means turmeric, doodh means milk). Families have made it for generations, warming milk with ground turmeric and often a little black pepper, ginger or sweetener, and it’s a classic cozy drink before bed.

The version you see in coffee shops today, often called a golden latte or turmeric latte, is a modern riff on that tradition, usually frothier, often dairy-free and frequently spiked with cinnamon and vanilla. That’s exactly the direction we’re taking here.

Meet the flavors

Turmeric: the star. Earthy, slightly bitter and gently warming, with that unmistakable golden color. It’s a root in the ginger family, and ground turmeric is a staple in South Asian cooking.
Cinnamon: adds sweetness and warmth, and smooths out turmeric’s earthier edges.
Black pepper: a classic companion to turmeric in golden milk recipes. Just a pinch adds a subtle, pleasant kick you’ll notice more as a warmth than as “pepper.”
Ginger (optional): for a brighter, zippier cup.
Vanilla collagen creamer: brings the creaminess and the vanilla, so you don’t need to add a separate sweetener or extract.

Ingredients

Makes 1 latte.

2 scoops Brazen Grass-Fed Collagen Creamer, Vanilla (one serving)
8–10 oz (1–1¼ cups) milk of choice: oat and dairy get especially frothy, almond and coconut work great too
½ teaspoon ground turmeric
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more for dusting
A small pinch of freshly ground black pepper
A pinch of ground ginger, or a thin slice of fresh ginger (optional)
1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional, if you like it sweeter)

Our label recommends two scoops in 8–10 oz of hot or cold beverage, so one cup of milk is right in the sweet spot.

Hot golden latte

Warm the milk and spices. Add the milk, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper and ginger (if using) to a small saucepan. Warm over medium-low heat, whisking often, until steaming. Don’t let it boil; you just want it hot.
Let it steep. Turn off the heat and let the spiced milk sit for a minute or two to let the flavors bloom. If you used fresh ginger, fish it out now.
Add the creamer. Whisk in the two scoops of vanilla collagen creamer until completely smooth.
Froth. For café-style foam, use a handheld milk frother for 15–20 seconds, or carefully blend for a few seconds (vent the lid; hot liquids expand in a blender).
Serve. Pour into your favorite mug, dust with a little cinnamon and taste. Add honey or maple if you’d like it sweeter.

Iced golden latte

Make a spice paste. In a glass or jar, whisk the turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper and ginger with 2 tablespoons of hot water until no dry clumps remain. This step matters: ground spices don’t dissolve well in cold milk on their own.
Add the creamer. Stir in the two scoops of vanilla collagen creamer to make a smooth, golden base.
Add cold milk. Pour in the cold milk and stir well, or seal the jar and shake it hard for 15 seconds.
Pour over ice. Fill a tall glass with ice, pour the latte over the top and finish with a pinch of cinnamon.

Tips and tricks

Turmeric stains. It’s gorgeous in a mug and less gorgeous on your white countertop or favorite sweater. Wipe up spills quickly and consider a darker kitchen towel.
Settling is normal. Ground spices can sink to the bottom as the latte sits. Give it a stir or a swirl halfway through.
Make a spice jar. Mix a small batch of turmeric, cinnamon, ginger and black pepper in the same proportions and keep it in a labeled jar. Then it’s just one heaping ¾ teaspoon of blend per latte, no measuring spoons required.
Coffee lovers: add a shot of espresso to the hot version for a “dirty” golden latte.

Where Brazen fits

Brazen Grass-Fed Collagen Creamer in Vanilla was made for your mug: two scoops stirred into any hot or cold drink. Your coffee, your tea and now your golden latte, all a little creamier.

This article is for general information and isn’t medical advice. Talk to your healthcare professional before starting any supplement.