Golden Lavender Moon Milk Tea

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There is something about a warm cup of herbal tea before bed that feels like a little ritual all on its own.

This Golden Lavender Moon Milk Tea combines lavender, turmeric, cinnamon, vanilla, and tulsi (holy basil) into a fragrant, golden herbal infusion that’s especially lovely in the evening.

This recipe comes from Jessica Lewis who was kind enough to let me share it with you. It’s also featured in the Herbal Academy‘s 1o Winter Tea Recipes ebook.  

I love sharing recipes like this because they remind us that herbalism doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it’s simply choosing a handful of beautiful herbs, steeping them together, and creating a quiet moment for yourself.

And this particular blend is especially lovely because each ingredient brings something unique to the cup.

What’s in Moon Milk Tea?

This blend brings together five ingredients that complement one another beautifully:

• Lavender — floral, aromatic, and traditionally associated with relaxation
• Turmeric — earthy and warming, with its characteristic golden color
• Cinnamon — sweet, warming, and gently spiced
• Tulsi (Holy Basil) — earthy and slightly peppery, with a long history of use in Ayurvedic herbalism
• Vanilla — soft, creamy, and naturally sweet-smelling

Together, they create a tea that is floral, earthy, lightly sweet, and wonderfully warming.

Why I Love Each Ingredient

Lavender – Lavender is one of my favorite herbs for an evening tea. Its soft floral aroma immediately makes a cup feel calming and special. Lavender has traditionally been used to support relaxation and emotional well-being, and research has explored its potential role in anxiety and stress. While more research is needed, its aroma alone makes it a beautiful addition to an evening ritual. In this recipe, lavender brings a delicate floral note and helps create the calming character of the blend.

Turmeric – Turmeric is what gives this moon milk its beautiful golden color. This bright yellow root has been used for centuries in traditional herbal practices and cooking. It contains naturally occurring compounds called curcuminoids, including curcumin, which researchers continue to study for their potential effects on inflammation and overall health. In this recipe, turmeric adds earthy warmth, a gorgeous golden color, and a traditional herbal element.

Ceylon Cinnamon – Cinnamon brings warmth and a little natural sweetness to the blend. It’s been used traditionally for centuries and is probably one of the most familiar herbs in the kitchen. While it’s often discussed for potential metabolic benefits, I primarily love cinnamon here for its flavor and aroma. In this recipe, cinnamon balances the floral lavender and earthy turmeric with a warm, comforting spice.

Tulsi – Tulsi, also called holy basil, has a long history of use in Ayurvedic herbalism. It’s often described as an adaptogenic herb and has traditionally been used as an herb for helping the body adapt to stress. Tulsi has a lovely earthy, slightly peppery flavor that gives this tea a little more depth. In this recipe, tulsi adds an earthy herbal note and makes the blend feel grounded and balanced.

Vanilla – Vanilla might not be the first ingredient you think of when you think about herbal tea, but it is what makes this moon milk feel so cozy. The warm, sweet aroma of vanilla softens the stronger flavors of turmeric, cinnamon, tulsi, and lavender. In this recipe, Vanilla adds a creamy, comforting aroma and rounds out the entire blend.

Why Is It Called Moon Milk?

Moon milk is a warm milk-based drink traditionally enjoyed as part of an evening ritual.

There is something wonderfully old-fashioned about warming a cup of milk, adding herbs and spices, and taking a few quiet moments before bed.

For this recipe, you first prepare a concentrated herbal tea and then combine it with warm milk. I love using oat milk or almond milk, but regular dairy milk or coconut milk work beautifully, too.

You can also enjoy the herbal infusion on its own if you prefer to skip the milk.

Golden Lavender Moon Milk Tea Recipe

• 1 teaspoon dried lavender (mountain rose herbs | amazon)
• ½ teaspoon dried turmeric (mountain rose herbs | amazon)
• 2 cinnamon sticks (mountain rose herbs | amazon)
• 1 vanilla bean (mountain rose herbs | amazon) (or 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract, added later)
• 3 tablespoons dried tulsi, aka holy basil (mountain rose herbs | amazon)
• Milk and sweetener of your choice (optional)

In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the lavender, turmeric, cinnamon sticks, and vanilla bean (if using vanilla extract, do not add yet) with 6 cups of water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and hold at a low simmer for 20 minutes, covered.

Add the tulsi and simmer for another 5 minutes, covered. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract, if using. Cool slightly before straining into a large glass jar. After the tea has reached room temperature, cap the jar and store in the refrigerator.

To make a cup of Moon Milk Tea, combine equal parts tea concentrate with milk of your choice along with a spoonful of honey or maple syrup to taste. Warm gently over low heat and serve hot.

Make It an Evening Ritual

One of my favorite things about herbalism is that it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Sometimes it’s simply boiling water, measuring a few herbs, warming a mug, and giving yourself permission to slow down.

This Golden Lavender Moon Milk Tea is the kind of recipe that encourages you to do just that.

Make the herbal concentrate ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator. Then, when evening comes, all you need to do is warm your milk, combine it with the tea, and settle in.

Light a candle. Pick up a good book. Put your phone away for a few minutes.

Let your cup of tea become a little reminder that slowing down is part of taking care of yourself.

Want to Learn More About Herbal Tea?

If you’re interested in learning more about making herbal teas, I highly recommend the Tea Blending 101 Mini Course from the Herbal Academy. They are my go to resource for all things herbalism.

This post is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Herbs can interact with medications and may not be appropriate for everyone. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication, or have a medical condition, talk with your healthcare provider before using herbs medicinally.

🌿 New to Herbalism?

Not sure where to start? My Mountain Rose Herbs Shopping Guide makes it easy to build your herbal pantry with three simple collections:

Hydration • Home Apothecary • Evening Ritual

I’ve included the herbs I recommend, how to use them, and why I keep them in my own pantry.

👉 Explore the shopping guide here.

Want to learn more about herbalism? Come join me over at the Herbal Academy!

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Love & Wellness,
Elisa